THE SCRATCH BLOG

Recharged and ready to go again! - The Scratch Live and Electric!

2011-01-08T12:17:00.000Z

Friday night saw The Scratch start 2011 in fine style with a live and electric session on Recharged Radio's Friday Forum show. Starting at 7pm from the 'Church of Steve Honest' just off London's Old Street, this, RR's first live Broadcast of 2011 also featured Hug(e)h Davenport our old cohort from CRMK radio as a guest joint presenter with Jordan and our host Steve Honest behind the mixing desk assisted by his 4 year old son and Ben 10 fanatic Leo.

The band stood facing each other behind the glass in the separate live room, connected to the outside world and control room by 5 sets of headphones. Kicking off what was initially due to be 5 live songs (but in actuality became 8!) with live 'classic' and set staple Dear Maniac. The mildly surreal atmosphere was exacerbated by the 5 to 10 minute gaps between tracks, leaving a feeling of anticipation and tenterhooks as Jordan and Hug(e)h progressed the show. Only punctuated every so often by a whispered "30 seconds to go guys" from Steve Honest.

Track two saw the band 're-activated' with a - Desire to be Thin. A further 10 minutes elapsed before Jordan paused from spinning the new sounds of 2011, to chat with added chipping ins from Huge.

Next up was Biting on my lip leading the show into it's halftime news break. The 2nd half of proceedings continued quickly with 3 more tracks, two newies and a fave. First up was 88th Day of Rain, followed by an almost seemless segue of future star track Weirder than we are and the 'Lucy Fakers' dedicated Against the Grain (incidentally Jordan is still in possession of an early mix on mp3 of the aforementioned Weirder than we are, that he first aired back in November when Andy co-hosted the show, which like this show from early next week, is still available for free podcast download from iTunes!)

A couple more 'green room' refreshments were then imbibed courtesy of the unusually well behaved 'Super' and his white carrier bag, they launched into Recharged Radio favourite Teen Idol.

The band by now had already played 2 more songs than they'd been practicing for the show, so when Jordan decided he was bored of talking anymore, a quick meeting conjoured up Homely Crackle a track that is to be the bands next single by way of a vinyl only release to commemorate record store day on Saturday April 16th. And so, a fitting way to end a great evenings work with what was probably the pick of The Scratch's output on the night. But if you missed it don't take our word for it, as previously stated you can download it and make your own mind up from iTunes early next week. Keep your eyes peeled and we'll send you the info as soon as it's available via one of our wonders of social network!

Thanks to steve honest, Jordan, Huge D and Leo for a thoroughly enjoyable show... With the news that The Scratch will be returning to the Great Escape Festival with Recharged Radio again this year spurring us onto the pub round the corner for a debrief, with feelings of a job well done abounding!

Next stop a local night at The White Hart Tap in St.Albans on sat 29th Jan, see you all there!

The honour of the last window on the Recharged advent calender!

2010-12-24T09:29:00.000Z

Dear Scratchers,

Huge pride is ours at being the last window to open on this years Recharged Radio advent calender... many thanks to Jord, Minki, Alex, Dave, Mike, Justin and everyone else who have supported us so greatly in 2010... it's an honour to be so featured by a radio station that in their way, come from the same DIY ethic as us... long may it continue, cos Unsigned music and bands out of the industry clique need a voice and these guys give it to all the bands featured on the calender and all the many more hundreds that they feature.

It's easy to be lazy and stick your radio on XFM or Radio 1... and be playlisted to death by who has the biggest plugging budget... it's up to all of you, to keep the flag flying, so if you haven't yet go to www.rechargedradio.com and click play!... If like us, due to your busy lives you can't always catch the shows when they are broadcast, there is now no excuse, as you can download the podcasts for FREE! from itunes too... if you're into music, new music, non mainstream music, music that still has the potential for excitement, it's the best Xmas present you can give yourself!

Thanks to all the great bands and people associated with Recharged we have met, played with, got drunk with and seen in 2010. We look forward to doing the same in 2011.

Listen out for our session on 7th Jan at the Church of Steve Honest, where we hope to start the new year as we mean to go on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Scratch
x

Despite some early heartaches, it's a great night with The Heartbreaks!

2010-12-18T20:09:00.000Z

Advanced sales had left the gig teetering perilously on the edge of a sell out... but as The Lead took to the stage (slightly late) at 9.10, it was clear that the weather was taking it's toll on the numbers… it was always going to though wasn't it, especially when you've looked forward to a gig as much as this…

The evening had started badly with Super almost getting stuck in Scotland, thankfully he managed to get a flight… but was delayed enough to miss the soundcheck, it made that part of a rollercoaster night surreal to say the least… next unwanted circumstance was the premature demise of the live Recharged Radio Stream of the Friday Forum show (and much publicised live broadcast of The Scratch's performance!)… it had started ok, Jordan had managed to interview Andy, setting the scene for what promised to be an exciting night of up and coming indie and new wave… but alas, within half an hour and despite the umpteenth reboot of the server the broadband gave up the ghost and the show had to be cancelled… :-(…

Soon it was time for the music to get under way. The lead put in a solid performance, even with the bizarre occurrence of their lead singer leaving the stage after the first song for "A dump"… only returning at song 4 as their guitarist struggled to be heard beneath walls of guitar.

Next, Dirty Thursday bowled in like the cloud of dust thrown up by the Tasmanian Devil cartoon and delighted their equally rowdy followers in the process… the evening was by the end of their set running a good 15 minutes late, but it was time for The Scratch…

With all the ups and downs of the evening, it was anyones guess what sort of show would be on offer, as it turned out the beaming and gorgeous faces of a deliciously 'lady heavy' crowd ensured that ultimate professionalism would be the order of the day… that and more than a dash of pathos, attitude and of course slapstick…

Kicking off with the newly revived Texture to the Flava the band were in their stride from the first chord… great reactions, followed great reaction as the assembled throng made the previous bands fans sound like nuns on a sponsored silence! Four newies ; Desire to be Thin, Biting on my lip, Weirder than we are and 88th day of rain were then rocketed one by one into the ether, with only a pause for a shout out for Lucy 'Fakers' Davies and her newly beloved Against the Grain… then it was a 'classic' hat-trick to finish…

An ecstatic Dear Maniac, smashed headlong into a punishing Teen Idol and then all too quickly it was time for the final number… with two of tonights celebrity guest Heartbreaks standing to the left front of the stage… Gas Taps saw probably it's finest hour to date… (If you can call utter chaos and stage destruction a finest hour?…) by the end of the 2 mins 20, all the monitors had been upended, mic stands lay like discarded swords on a battle field and Andy's once white jacket, was now at the very least a yellow, black and brown camouflage colour, at worst, an extreme dirty protest!… what a release, what a relief!

Illness and the weather had unfortunately deterred a few from making the trip, but those who did make it, I think will agree, they saw The Scratch finish 2010 with a great performance. There are two many of you as ever to thank individually, a special mention has to go to Hug(e)h Davenport, Tracy and girls for ignoring the weather warnings and making the long journey from Northampton, thanks too, to all of you amazing regulars who are there at every gig and also to all the virgins, (so great to see so many new faces again)… Final thanks to Luke and Rach from Juicebox for putting together a top bill.

And so it was left to The Heartbreaks to finish the night, take it from us, based on this performance, you can believe the hype and they were top blokes too.

That was almost it, but as they came to their last song, lead singer Matthew dedicated it to Juicebox and to The Scratch, "If their lead singer will come and do a stage dive for us"… well, what do you think happened next?

Red rag to a bull eh… if you want to see it for your own eyes… check out this link!… http://blog.thescratch.co.uk/

Have a great Christmas one and all and we'll see you again in 2011, listen out for us on 7th Jan when the Recharged Radio gremlins will be hung drawn and quartered live at The Church of Steve Honest!

Leicester Bangs - Still!

2010-11-30T08:05:00.000Z

The Scratch – D.I.Y. (Ponyland Records)
Originally released in 2003, The Scratch’s D.I.Y. album looks older - more like a punk record that’s been lifted straight from that classic ’77-79 period, just before post-punk brought in the experimentalists and US hardcore rewrote the rules. Track titles like “I Relax To Spiral Scratch” and “X-Ray Eyes” don’t help, but get past the presentation and there’s a seriously good power pop / new wave record here trying to get out. Retro in feel, rather than slavishly derivative, D.I.Y. is certainly on nodding terms with the first wave of punk, but it draws from a host of other influences, too. The fore-mentioned “X-Ray Eyes” employs beats and acoustic guitars, and would feel equally at home alongside Sandinista period Clash or mid-phase Happy Mondays. “Rotten Soul” might well have crawled out of a ‘60s garage, dazed and confused, and “Back To Ten” is almost gentle. If any of this sounds interesting, be careful not to miss out this time.
www.myspace.com/thescratch
Rob F.

http://www.leicesterbangs.co.uk/oct10-16.html

God bless America!!!

2010-11-30T08:03:00.001Z

Many thanks to Jonathan Zuckerman in the big apple for his review... We LOVE the the last line of the first paragraph best!

The Scratch: D.I.Y. By: Jonathan Zuckerman
It seems strange to re-release an album that was originally released only seven years ago, but when a band like The Scratch are doing so well in their native UK, maybe it is time to give their debut the ol’ re-master treatment. Though few people in the US are familiar with this band, they’ve earned five number one hit singles in the UK.

It’s that old story again though: a British band gets big at home, but find it difficult to crack into the American market. Blur were mega-stars at home, but are only known for one kind of wacky single in the U.S., which most critics attribute to their quintessential British-ness. The Scratch, I fear, may follow that same path, as they also sound pretty damn British.

The Scratch wear their musical influences on their sleeves. D.I.Y. kicks off with the awesome “I Relax to Spiral Scratch,” a tribute to the Buzzcocks. “Erotomaniac” sounds like Marc Bolan came back from the dead to lay down the vocals. “Alcohol’s a Depressant” is a particularly addictive glam rock gem with the great line, “Alcohol is a depressant but it helps me relieve my aggression.”

The album falters a bit though with the inclusion of several Madchester/Acid-House songs, which make the album feel completely uneven. Just be warned, The Scratch are more like two bands in one.

http://www.shortandsweetnyc.com/2010/11/the-scratch-d-i-y/

Recharged Radio - Friday Forum

2010-11-27T18:11:00.002Z

Friday night saw Andy's debut as a Radio presenter on Recharged Radio's Friday Forum, New Subs show. Assisted/nay guided by Jordan, Dave, the uber knowledgable Alex and Andy's specially drafted cohort Sam Vince. With guests: Alexis from Camden Calling (a collective who help homeless and vulnerable people access the arts and music scene), Jade Brightwell from The Playground, (the promoter and PR company, who recently put on The Scratch at 93 Feet East), who was brandishing a plastic skull signed by Gary Numan and Adam Ant (don't ask!, you'll have to hear the podcast!) and Lech from The Feel www.myspace.com/musictheFEEL (who's new album is the next thing in the ponyland cd player, when Andy has retreaved it from Super Sexy Sam's handbag!)

The Assembled crew then spent a highly enjoyable, (and hopefully entertaining?!) two hours listening too and commenting on the latest musical releases submitted to Recharged Radio this week... spiced with a little sparkling rose provided by Andy, more (non sparkling) rose from Jade and The Baron's favourite amber nectar provided by Alex! Lovely bubbly!!!!... time flew so quickly, it seemed only minutes had elapsed when suddenly it was time for Andy and Jordan to sign off at the end of the show, playing out to an absolute world exclusive first play of one of The Scratch's 'Weirder than we are', from the latest recording sessions (which sounded great Grim btw!)

If you missed it or more likely wanted to relive the excitement again ;-), you will be able to see how it went via itunes, early next week, watch out for a link in our next blog!

Then it was down to the extremely and uncharacteristically noisey Ship for more alcoholic enhancement, excellent musical chat and Alexis' boyfriends box of chocolates!...

Following a couple of hours of merriment, Andy and Sam left to visit Koko for the late night performance of new sensations (and former favourites of The Scratch Switches' new incarnation) Flash Fiktion...(that was a bit of a mouthful wasn't it!) If you aren't familiar with their last single Leni... you should be, so do so...

Then it was a freezing late night hike through a cabless Camden to an equally chilly Kentish Town, where amazingly the train arrived as if by magic and the evening was rounded off with chicken nuggets and chips, and a chicken wrapped in naan bread at the highly classy, but ever popular H&H by St.Albans City's station... a rock'n'roll night rounded off to perfection with a load of even drunker people, bouncers (yes at a kebab shop!) and a girl in sub zero conditions in the most micro mini, sleeveless lacy number Andy has ever seen!

Thanks to everyone who made the whole night such a blast! (Especially Sam for not once whinging about the cold or the long walk! and Matt for his (very) late night taxi ride, very much appreciated both!)

SpursSimon reviews our performance at the 50ft Woman show on Thursday

2010-11-06T18:47:00.001Z

Many thanks to SpursSimon for his review of our gig on Thursday night at Minki's excellent launch party...

"I was lucky enough to be invited to the launch of the Menage a Trois EP by the band 50ft Woman which was in London last night (Thursday 4th) so went along with the good wife and her trusty camera. Due to the usual delays on trains, and then my usual man way of finding the venue which is to continue walking for ages and hope it appears, we were slightly late getting there, but fortunately arrived just as a band started.

The Scratch kicked off with a cracking set pulled from their career, focusing on the re-released DIY as reviewed here. It was some time before I glanced down at the singers shoes, and if there is anyone who can pull off wearing white platforms on a Thursday it is Andy Scratch.
A really energetic set certainly got the crowd going, and I have to say that a quality band on recordings these guys need to be seen live to get the full experience.
They neatly fit into the definition of "Rock 'n' Roll" - songs that start 1,2,3,4 and end with a proper ending, not just drifting off. Take the good bits of punk, sprinkle in some new wave and add a lead singer with a clear bit of glam / mod roots and that is The Scratch live. I Relax To Spiral Scratch was the highlight of the set for me, but the sight of Andy diving onto to and then singing while sprawled over the length of the bar while managing to still somehow look cool was the memory that I think the wife will have, especially as she didn't see him coming.
The wife's review was "He's barking mad".
Always gigging around and about, try and see them if you want a great night out."

Great stuff Simon much appreciated for the full review of the whole night just click here

http://spurssimon.blogspot.com/2010/11/party-with-50ft-woman.html..

Read more: http://www.myspace.com/thescratch/blog?bID=540433231#ixzz14WtOWybL

FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER - BONFIRE NIGHT at 93 FEET EAST

2010-11-06T10:31:00.002Z

Being first on, expectation of a packed venue wasn't high, however, with the show running late, an 8.40 start had allowed a decent looking showing from the floor. The PA at 93 Feet East is the best around this circuit, everything is clear, the bass is heavy and the whole vibe was explosive, completely focused and completely on the game, Friday night saw The Scratch play one of their finest ever sets, trimmed by 3 tracks from Minki's do, the set was tight, incendiary and from the reaction of the people after, particularly a guy called Alan and his mates up from Essex for the night who we met in the bar later, highly entertaining too! Stage diving, the usual sodden pedal boards and finally, standing in the front row to witness his homage 'Weirder than we are'… was Pedro!

Big thanks, especially to Johnny B and Mrs Super, Pedro, Marco, Nigel and friends and not least Alan and all the others who spoke so glowingly of the show. What a great weekend, just can't wait till December now. spread the word Friday 17th December - The Horn in conjunction with Recharged Radio, Juicebox and with an NME radar headline band, it promises to be a perfect finale for a great 2010! So no excuses eh ;-)

50Ft Woman Launch Party, Bedroom Bar Shoreditch

2010-11-05T10:19:00.002Z

These double gigs are always so difficult to blog, cos there's always so much happening!… It all begins in the heart of 'cool London' - Thursday evening, The Bedroom Bar, Shoreditch… The occasion - The 50ft Woman ep launch do… Traffic was horrendous, parking was a nightmare and Steve Filth's car was packed tighter than a tin of no drain tuna… thus setting a big/small theme for the evening… the stage was tiny… Andy's platform shoes were big (well Minki had asked for people to wear their most stylish footwear, and Andy wanted to be able to look the hostess in the eye as she greeted the band at the door)… The PA was tiny… The band plugged in and set up in a three tier launch party cake formation; Grim and Steve at the front (fripperies and candy), Andy and John in the middle (Jam and Cream) and Super TC (The Sponge) at the back… ahem, apologies, digression…

Back in the room… Minki (50ft Woman) was looking especially radiant… and the clock was ticking, in what seemed like the blink of an eyelash the doors were open and it was time for the first of the Burlesque dancers… Each member of the band grabbed an arm or leg and with Super suitably restrained, the fun could begin… feathers, tattoos, sequins and flesh… now that's what I call an opening act… (strange 4play? no Super, down Super!)…

As 8.20 arrived… Alex Recharged span his last tune and it was time for The Scratch… platformed up and ready to go… a set comprising pretty much half new stuff and half familiarity was kicked off with Texture to the lava, the recently recalled DIY 'anthem'… that gave way to Desire to be thin, followed by Biting on my lip, 88th Day of rain, Weirder than we are, Against the grain and then it was into Spiral Scratch… but something was wrong… there was much head scratch and gesture coming from the fripperous candy boys, it transpired that Steve's guitar had cut out, the show was continuing but he was obviously at a loss for a solution… he manfully backing vocaled till the end of the song, but it was clear, some jiggery pokery was necessary… There was nothing else for it… Andy handed Steve his guitar and removed the mic from the stand, 4 songs earlier than usual (as you know kids, it's usually, mic off stand, Gas Taps and decension into chaos)… tonight, it was Critical Mass in more ways than one… the question was did Andy have more than the demented swan dive in his repertoire?… the new line up was really rocking; John and Super Solid as ever, a twitching Grizzle, now re-instated as the effect king and Steve improvising on a cross beam, wrestling a petulant guitar strap!… What commenced from then on was pure improvisation, there were camera licks, pole twirls, bar rolls, poof sits and even the 'play dead' exhibited during Teen Idol… with Minki who had joined the band on stage to sing dual vocal shouting "ok get up, get up" Andy lay motionless following a dramatic duck dive, this continued for the full middle 8, until suddenly on cue he rose like a very creased phoenix from the dead on the penultimate double chorus! Pure theatre?… you'll need to make your own minds up on that one…

A fabulous reception and it was time to make way for the star of the evening Ms Minki, fetishes to the max as per usual, Psychic Hygiene is still the favourite, but it now has a rival for our affections in the Ziggy meets AC/DC (yes the riff is pure Angus) Wham Bam! Before the finale Andy managed to scoop a prize from the hostess mid set, a convex mirror, not sure if it was a hint about the haircut?… and indeed, not at all sure what it was for now in the midsts of alcohol and love heart sweets, but it certainly weren't best shoes, they went to a lady in rather attractive silver sparkly pair… and then, all too soon it was over.

Well, not quite… for it was time to meet and greet! First off it was great to finally meet Spurs Simon, tweeter extraordinare and supporter, Mrs Spurs Simon (can't wait to see the pics!), Greg from Kamp David and all the others who said how much they'd enjoyed the set, not forgetting the Italian couple who wanted a photo with Andy, but then knocked his pint over with their bag, Mrs Steve (and her mates) fast becoming uber fan!, the bar staff who snuck us a couple of freebies and the burlesque girls who looked magnificent in their scratch badges (you must be careful where you pin them in the future though ladies!) and last but by no means least the Recharged crew especially Alex and Jordan, supportive and great as ever.

Before long Grim, Steve and John had departed on the trek home, leaving Andy and Super to schmooze a little further… when a rumour of an Adam Ant birthday bash at the Hoxton Underbelly came crackling through the room, an elite ligging crew was hurriedly assembled, including Alex, Minki and The Scratchers… but, not before the dynamic duo had lugged drums, guitar, amp and merch bag back to the hotel, in a bizarre grunting, laughing and struggling crocodilian formation… the look on the night porters face as on arrival in the hotel foyer, the errant twosome proclaimed to be 'sorry we're late, we're the band, where do we set up', was a sight to behold.

… Soon we were off in search of the club… Alas on arrival Mr Ant didn't show, but all was not lost, we had chance to exchange badges with Adam's guitarist Tree and a highlight on an already great night, was Andy being able to hand Mr Agent Provocateur himself Joe Corré (son of Dame Vivienne Westwood and the late and legendary Malcolm Mclaren) a 7" vinyl of I relax to Spiral Scratch… Ooh look at that for hobnobbing eh!

Never dull these nights never dull. Before I conclude the tale, an official and heart felt apology goes to Mrs John, for her being woken by the home phone at 2am, by a text from Andy proclaiming his excitement at his brief(s) encounter!…whoops… that alcohol, adrenalin, smart phone, combo still needs work Mr Scratch! And so, finally, after seeing Minki into a cab and following a 3am 'dirty kebab' Super and Andy bid the day farewell! Thanks 50ft Woman, that was pure Rock'n'Roll x

Chef Mike mike(at)rechargedradio.com tells it like it is!!!

2010-10-28T14:32:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers, What can we say... WE LOVE RECHARGED RADIO!!!!!
26.10.10 Tuesday Night Diner: Scratch That Itch!
26/10/2010 06:18:07
Last year, just as I was joining the illustrious staff of Recharged Radio, a snotty, fiery, driving track called Teen Idol by London-based band The Scratch was blasting its way up the charts. Jordan sent that one round for us to listen to, and our collective jaws dropped. It had everything—pulsing bass, searing guitar riffs, and a punk attitude that grabbed us by the throats and shook us around for four minutes or so. What do you do when that happens? The only thing you can do—you listen to it over, and over again, and play it on your radio show (if you have one), or buy it for yourself, your friends, and your enemies. This winning hit wound up as one of my top singles for 2009 (The Electrifying Eleven), and wound up on all sorts of station imaging and jingles here at Recharged, and still does to this day.

Fast forward to right now—October, 2010. After a massive hit like Teen Idol, what happens next? Mere mortals might sit on their laurels, but alas, The Scratch are no mere mortals. They decided to keep firing back—and their latest effort is an incredible song that stands up really well alongside the last one. This one has everything too—clever wordsmithing, killer guitar riffs and solos, crisp drums, rock solid bass, and even hand claps and what sounds to my ears like a cello. There are elements of music from the `60s, `70s, `80s, `90s, and `00s. As always, these guys did the whole thing themselves. It sounds great way out here in California. As Andy from the band said on an episode of The Forum last year, “DIY till I die”. Nicely done, Andy!

It’s destined for the top, and on this week`s show, I’ll tell you how you can get a copy.

www.thescratch.co.uk/
We’re also going to explore heat. We’ve got songs about hot phones, hot moms, and hot vats of boiling lard. Seriously—our friends The Little Philistines, Hail The Size, and The Clutter Family are all of like mind this week, as they heat things up.

www.myspace.com/thelittlephilistines
www.myspace.com/hailthesize
www.myspace.com/theclutterfamily

If you`d like to make a request, just drop me a line at mike(at)rechargedradio.com. If you`d like to become an honorary California citizen, drop me a line at the same address. And if you`d like to hear all this great music—simply tune in to the Tuesday Night Diner, Tuesday night, 8:00-10:00 p.m. (GMT), 12:00-2:00 p.m. Pacific, only at Recharged Radio—www.rechargedradio.com.

See you then!

Chef Mike
mike(at)rechargedradio.com
MN2BDNC

You! are the star Mike!
x

This is what happened to our Friday night! - Bar 62

2010-10-23T12:36:00.001+01:00

Friday night saw The Scratch resume the DIY tour at one of their favourite 'locals'. 62 Catherine Street has been the home to many a music night over the years dating back to the Pineapple in the 80's, The Merry Minstral in the 90's and now simply Bar 62. last nights gig was another part of that rich St.Albans Heritage, in an ever growing live music scene of the City. True, many of the pubs are still favouring covers, but the tide appears to be turning.

The promise of a late license, Champagne Charlie's, gastro grub, a 50ft Woman and (of course) the fab 5 ;-) saw a healthy weekend contingent devour the floor boards with anticipated gusto!… 50ft Woman kicked off proceedings at 9 with a set that just seems to get better, with new ep Menage etois coming out on 1st Nov, morale is high in the camp… which you can find out more about this coming Thursday when Andy and 'Super' visit Minki for her Recharged Radio show, prior to both bands double teaming again on 4th November for the Ft's ep launch in Shoreditch.

So with a great platform lain, the night was fully taken by the Horns by The Scratch, who buoyed by the tour, the album, the reviews and the general vibe, were in party mood from the off. Angular gyrations were in overdrive, mad eyes, the trade mark banter back with a vengance, squealing guitars and the inevitable rhythmnised throb… The band have been mixing up the show a bit lately and tonight was no exception, kicking off with Against the Grain and Where's or the wise, the set inhaled, exhaled, dropped to a soft middle, with Undercover and Let there be us and then creshendoed, with the giant explosion (Andy had tweeted it would be sexy!), of the 'Golden Run' (Spiral Scratch, Critical Mass, Dear Maniac and Teen Idol).That as well received as it was came very close to being overshadowed by a potential new suitor... in the shape of the 3 track hat-trick! Biting on my lip, 88th Day of Rain and sure to be a future single Weirder than we are, which in mpst peoples minds was the best track on the night… Pedro… Pedro who the F*** is Pedro?….

Allied with the usual mic trashing chaos, a keyboard debut! and even a Rooneyesque shock omission (Gas Taps) to contend with this hugely enjoyable night rocked as only a gig by The Scratch can!

Once more, giant thanks go out to all who came down, especially Buzz who saved the mic stand in true roadie god fashion… all the new recruits… great to see you, Neil, Jon and the 62s staff for a great venue and hospitality and most of all our fans who turn up to every single gig we do. WE LOVE YOU. x

Next stop the 50ft Launch, before next official gig at 93 Feet East, Brick Lane, Friday November 5th, it's FREE entry and we're on nice and early to catch the afterwork crowd (on stage 8.15) expect fireworks guys. Gas Taps will be back!!!!! x

Recording weekend update - Album 4's taking shape

2010-10-17T20:07:00.001+01:00

DIY month's proving a breathless affair! A break in the mini tour saw the band decamp to the bunker, for vocals, guitar overdubs and keyboards.., yes keyboards in The Scratch! Minus Super, who'd already done his part on the new recordings back in September. Andy, John, Steve and Grim settled in on Friday evening for a late one: on the agenda first were lead vocals, Desire to be Thin, kicked us off, followed by 88th day of rain, homely crackle, great adventure, down in the alleyway and a newer slightly slower let there be us... Steve and Grim added backing to the first 3 before curfew came down at 2.30am. Next morning bright and early, John and Grim were laying down bass intros, as Andy arrived, Grim then began adding his guitars, by the time Super arrived with cappuccinos all round, Steve had laid down most of his guitar parts too... then it was time for the keys... hinting without giving too much away, that album 4 may either be a return to the eclecticism of DIY or the chance to push into as yet unchartered waters... that'll be for you to find out ;-) x

See you all next Friday at 62's for what's looking very likely to be a memorable one!

What do you get if you mix a Queen of the desert with a White Worm and The Scratch?

2010-10-15T08:09:00.001+01:00

Big thanks to Mr Davenport for another hug(e)ly enjoyable show. With John performing babysitting duties it was left to Andy and special guest Dave 'Wasabie Penis' White Worm to anchor the Eclectic Plectrum on crmk.co.uk with wayward Saharan trecky hero Hugh.... Although hero status surely had to go to the 15 women who shared a bedouin with him for a week in the desert! (But seriously congrats to Hugh and the ladies for raising over 40,000 for their charity!)

The theme of this times Hijack by The Scratch (for those who have been following our brief encounters in Milton Keynes over the last year or so) was in these testing credit crunch riddled times, the free CDs, and free music, you get from mags, newspapers, comics etc.... interspersed with exclusive plays from 50ft woman's new ep Menage et tois, the We are White Worm classic, anything u want it to be and 3 songs from DIY: Alcohols a Depressant, Erotomaniac and Supermodel.

Here's the full list of 21 tracks that the guys played over the two hours.

Afghan Whigs - Somethin' Hot
The Scratch - Alcohol's a depressant
PJ Harvey - Dress
Theatre of Hate - Do you believe in the Westworld
Larry Wallis - Police Car
Sleater Kinney - Combat Rock
We are White Worm - Anything you want it to be
Franz Ferdinand - Shopping for Blood
50ft Woman - (Strictly) Only Swinging
Sparks - Barbecutie
Minutemen - Political song for Michael Jackson to play
The Scratch - Erotomaniac
The Red Crayola - Hurricane Fighter Plane
David Bowie - Repetition
The Sonics - Strychnine
Hawkwind - Motorhead
The Boys - I Don't care
The Strokes - Last Night (original demo)
The CLint Boon Experience - White no sugar
The Scratch - Supermodel
Link Wray - Rumble

Next stop Bar 62, where u will hopefully be able to meet the intrepid Mr.D in person! X

Tim Peacock of Whisperinanhollerin sums up DIY brilliantly in his review

2010-10-11T12:57:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to Tim for this great review that is up their with the best we've received... Tim gets it, we love it!

'SCRATCH, THE' - 'D.I.Y (re-issue)' - Label: 'PONYLAND' - Genre: 'Rock' - Release Date: '11th October 2010'-
Catalogue No: 'PON071' - Our Rating: 8 out of 10
Hailing from St. Albans, THE SCRATCH may be geographically immune to the trendier London scenes, but their riotously intelligent self-made pop has been a much-needed provincial thorn in the industry’s side for the best part of a decade now.
Since 2002 they have served up three fiercely independent albums and eleven singles and continue to chip away at the shiny veneer of the establishment. Their debut album ‘D.I.Y’ initially landed on our doorstep as 2003 rolled into 2004, coming to us via the group’s own Ponyland imprint on a series of ‘home printed’ CDS. The two singles culled from it – ‘X-Ray Eyes’ and the memorable ‘I Relax to Spiral Scratch’ – were issued in small runs of 7” and 10” singles respectively and all have long since sold out. As a result, the LP has attained something akin to legendary status among the band’s fan base, so to herald the band’s arrival in the digital age, here it is again, re-mastered and available on CD and via download. The title ‘D.I.Y’ is wholly apt. This is a record harking back (in spirit as much as sound) to the original British Independent ideal. The same Punk and Post-Punk ethic that allowed The Buzzcocks’ ‘Spiral Scratch’ EP and Adrian Borland’s pre-The Sound combo The Outsiders’ debut LP to be released on small self-established labels of their own: leads that were soon followed by brilliantly diverse labels like Rough Trade, Factory and Postcard. In The Scratch’s case, ‘D.I.Y’ was just that, as it was mostly pieced together in lead guitarist Grim’s flat in Islington. However, while it fizzes with an anarchic spirit, that shouldn’t be misconstrued as shoddy and lo-fi. ‘D.I.Y’ is a vivid splurge of a record, full of attitude and great tunes from four lads whose primary urge seems to be to record whatever sounds cool to their ears and bugger everyone else. Wasn’t that, after all, what Punk was supposed to be about before the Corporations moved in? Large portions of the album rock pretty damn hard. The terminally ace ‘I Relax to Spiral Scratch’ is a great homage to the independent spirit and stuffed with effervescent, Buzzcocks-y guitars, while tracks like ‘Rotten Soul’ and ‘Supermodel’ also do that frustrated, youthful Punk-Pop thing akin to the ‘Cocks or Ash with layers of cool to spare. ‘Alcohol’s A Depressant’, meanwhile, is both a cautionary and celebratory ode to excessive drinking (“I clean my teeth and I go to bed/ I’ve still got your taste in my head”) that most of us can relate to of a Sunday morning. The Scratch are about a lot more than simply stinging riffs and sneering vocals, however. Tracks like ‘Brainstorm’ and ‘X-Ray Eyes’ have more than a touch of the late’80s/ early ‘90s Indie-Crossover about them, with loops and beats recalling genre-mashers like Jesus Jones or The Shamen in their great initial guise. ‘Texture to the Flava’, on the other hand, opens with a guitar figure akin to ‘She Sells Sanctuary’-era Cult, while ‘Back to Ten’ wrong-foots you with its’ deceptively mellow introduction before going for the burn big time. Perhaps best of all is the closing ‘Logical Mind’, which is again built around House-y beats and electronica and brings some lush balm for the soul to switch off and float away to. Not what you’d expect but twice as good as a result. ‘D.I.Y’, then, deserves serious re-appraisal. Recorded on a much lower budget than many under-achieving mainstream albums, it is the sound of a bunch of sussed, lippy upstarts on fire creatively and turning limited resources into something truly triumphant. It’s all the proof you need that wild pop bombs can still rock the provinces even in these conservative times.

10.10.10 100th gig... mmm sounds apocalyptic!

2010-10-11T08:21:00.001+01:00

Our big DIY weekend finished off on a great high with an ace happening down at the Boot in St.Albans on Sunday 10.10.10... The release date for the digital DIY. So why the 60's Jive I hear you say, well, it must be something to do with the atmosphere of the unfeasibly low ceilinged Boot (one of the many rivals for Britain's oldest pub) and the general modness of the audience, any array of originals, revivalists and 21st century scenesters made up this excellent lazy Sunday afternoon gathering.

The Contrast between Friday's rock off and Sundays Matinee couldn't have been much different, with the band squeezed into a telephone box like corner of the pub, but still with the elasticity of that green slime you can get in joke shops, at all times threatening to explode over the crowd (...)

This the last of the year of this type of gig (a double setter) saw The Scratch celebrate their centenary with 26 songs executed with scarcely a hair out of place, new favourites 88th Day of Rain and Weirder than we are, rubbing shoulders once more with the golden run heavyweights... (Yeah don't get those sentences mixed up, or you may start wearing sowesters to gigs, what with Golden rain exploding over the front row!)...

We'd been told that the Boot crowd were really into their music and so it proved, with no interest at all in the retro CD market, all assembled only had eyes for our uber modern vinyl!

Massive thanks to everyone who stayed and swayed, bopped and jived, it was a really enjoyable gig and highly fitting for our 100th show. Top thanks go to super Sam and Matt for Bootlegging (no pun) the whole shebang for posterity!

Next stop on the DIY tour Bar 62 on Friday 22nd of October, with support from a 50ft Woman! You'd be mad not to check it out... wouldn't you :-)

oh and Don't forget to checkout itunes as DIY is now digital and waiting for your downloads!

DIY Launch party the Horn St.Albans - As it happened!

2010-10-09T20:44:00.001+01:00

As ever with nights like this their is so much anticipation the weight of it threatens to blow your mind! Last nights album launch do, came as close as any gig by The Scratch to do that... what a fantastic atmosphere, what an amazing crowd and what amazing performances by the bands! And SO great to have Tina back on the scene!

The first surprise of a breathless evening was how prompt all the bands were for soundcheck!... it's become a standing joke on the inside of Scratch central that they are the only band around who adhere to soundcheck times!... but not last night! (boring and adminy I know, but, all these things help when you're running a do like this) ... before going any further we must say a big thanks to Bill Johnson for stepping in behind the mixing desk as the expected soundman had called in sick an hour earlier.

The Recharged Radio crew were already setting up ready for their live broadcast! when surprise number two appeared from the ether! As Andy took a call from Kelly Betts producer of BBC 3 Counties Introducing show, informing us that a BBC outside broadcast team were en-route to the Horn to interview Andy live on their show. A flurry of excitement ensued as Ian and crew erected their giant mast on the pavement outside the pub!... Great stuff, what with the big write ups in the local press too, this was fast becoming our best covered local gig!

Back in the Horn Recharged Radio (the best unsigned radio station around btw if we hadn't said that already!) had begun their live broadcast, Andy and Jord took 5 minutes following The Scratch soundcheck to set the scene. With much promising to watch the expletives, as the gig was going out live....

It seemed only 5 minutes had elapsed, but 8.30 was upon us and We are White Worm, were soon kicking off the show in fine style, not least cos they'd been baking prior to the gig and had laid out a fine array of fairy cakes on the front edge of the stage spelling out a launch party eulogy! (Great idea guys! nice cakes too, no that's not you Mark!) Don't be mislead however, bristling with new material, the normally placid lead singer 'Gez' Cheadle growled Cobainesqe through a furious set as the gyration-al Wasabi Penis led his rhythm buddies in a pied piper like dance of icing sugared glee. Undoubtably their finest night of Scratch supportage.

Next up the sumptuous Minki and her 50ft Women!... GRrrrrroowwllll! Resplendent in cat suit and chiffon; the Minkster, slinked and swooned her way through an excellent set, new eps, launch party's and a tightening of the bands dress code, made for a fantastic sassy performance... we can't wait for Bar 62 already!!!! (Fri 22 October, where 50ft Woman support The Scratch for a second time)..

The night was truly rocking. So much so, by the time the youthful cool of Khalazars took to the stage, the venue was beginning to gently creak under the weight of numbers! I don't know what it was, but this night seemed to have a different kind of magic about it... all the bands were playing 'personal bests!'... not least Khalazar who, despite missing heartthrob bassist Brett Howell, had the crowd transfixed with their new rocking revolution. (Anyone who'd been indifferent about their previous incarnation Herringbones, would have been blown away, by their re-birth). Despite pain killers for a back injury (its all down hill from 21 onwards mate!) Miles Howell was on excellent vocal form and being backed brilliantly by brother Taylor on drums, Harry on guitar and the new slightly smaller but no less solid Brett on bass... I can't wait for the debut ep... infact I can't wait for ep's from all of these bands!!!

Thankfully we shouldn't have to wait too long to hear how good they were, as they should all be available on the next Recharged Radio podcast download... Don't worry we'll keep you all informed!

Now as the clock ticked close to 11... it was time for the main event. The Scratch, were ready, willing and about to show how able! With Steve causing mischief sporting new spangly guitar, Super trouncing the drums into the brand new stage carpet, Grizz characteristically jerking, John visibly throbbing, and Andy as ever tearing the script to pieces!

Kicking off with a Lucy Davies* double header of Fakers and Against the grain, the tone was set. Rammed to the front of the stage, standing room gave way to the dancers... as a set intertwined with newies, DIY 'classics' and the greatest hits 'golden run' grew in momentum. Desire to be thin, Weirder than we are and probably new highlight 88th Day of Rain stood up brilliantly alongside Critical Mass, Dear Maniac and Teen Idol, with the returning Texture to the flava, probably taking the DIY gold medal on the night... before a quick-fire encore volley of Homely Crackle, a curiously disjointed Independent Unrepentant (not sure that double chorus goes there Andy!?) and a rousing Gas Taps, which saw the aforementioned one showered in glitter following an impromptu self dowsing in ice cold water! Breathless stuff! The only slight disappointment being loss of the 100% non swearing on the radio record... but by then most people were too danced out or drunk too care!

And that Dear Scratchers was that! DIY partied to the max!

Huge thanks to everyone who made the night so great not least the 81 people who bought advance tickets for the party. You guys ROCK!

Hopefully catch you tomorrow at the Boot for a matinee performance 5-7 for our hundredth gig of The Scratch and a 26 track set for the official download release day of DIY and best of all it's FREE entry!

xx

* if you don't know who Lucy is, you ain't being payin attention at our gigs for the last 5 years!

SpursSimon Blog about DIY

2010-10-07T08:04:00.002+01:00

Thanks to @Spurssimon for his blog about DIY and our launch do tomorrow night!

The Scratch - DIY - Re-released 10/10/10

A local (ish) band geographically to me as it turns out, but it was the name of their debut single that caught my eye initially.

The title of the first release by The Scratch "I Relax To Spinal Scratch" should make anyone with a passing interest in the Punk / New Wave scene from the late 70s pay a little attention. For those who don't know, which I am sure there are a few, this has been variously called the first Punk single to be released, the best, and the most influential.
So quite a lot to live up to really.

While I would advise anyone who doesn't own it already to get this EP (that is what we used to call MP3s with bonus tracks in the olden days), and I could bang out about the Buzzcocks for hours, the reason I started writing was to let you know about the new album by The Scratch.

Originally released in 2003, it is being re-released having been tinkered with a little bit. This passed me by on the original go round, but I have already bought other stuff by them, so was pleased to notice it was getting another go. Starting with the aforementioned I Relax To Spinal Scratch, the album has a good mix of what would be classed as Indie / New Wave sounds, with a touch of the Madchester scene around the edges. Younger listeners may have to google some of these terms, but they are all meant in a complimentary manner by me!

While not following in the same vein all the way through track by track, the album is from the mould of making what you like and hoping that others agree. There is more than a hint of Primal Scream on a few of the tracks, Trigger Finger especially to me, which is no bad thing - this is followed by the only slow track on the album, Back To Ten, which I am sure during the live shows is a chance for grabbing some breath. A couple of the band members had previous incarnations in the dance music era of the early 90s, and the influence of that does run through much of the album. The great Alcohol's A Depressant, like we need reminding, towards the end is a fantastic tune, and the closer Logical Mind wouldn't be out of place on many NME compilation albums.

The new version has a more polished feel than the original, which is why I assume it is back out, to give a little more of what they were originally after. This album fits snugly amongst most of the content in my collection and holds it's own against the more "famous" contemporary bands, there is nothing not to like here.

I assume that it will be available from their site direct where you should really buy it from as that actually makes them money and is probably cheaper than the likes of iTunes, and is also available at their launch show in St Albans.

Ironically, I can't make that show, as I am actually going to see The Buzzcocks that night in Aylesbury - it's a funny old world sometimes.

Melanie Dakin interview with Andy for The Review Newspaper in St.Albans

2010-10-05T20:01:00.003+01:00

The Scratch reclaim The Horn for DIY album launch4:01pm Tuesday 5th October 2010. By Melanie Dakin

Can-do attitudes are a bit of a buzzword these days as we haul our way out of a recession and there’s no better band to sum up the zeitgeist of the new 'make do and mend' era than St Albans post-punk outfit The Scratch, who are hosting a launch party at The Horn for their newly re-issued debut album, DIY.

I first interviewed The Scratch back in 2007 when they were picked up by XFM DJ Clint Boon, who offered the band the chance of opening the Versus Cancer show at the 22,000 capacity MEN Arena in Manchester via a listeners votes competition. Opening for the likes of Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller The Charlatans, Ian Brown and Echo & The Bunnymen, was certainly a high point. Boutique festival appearances followed and a successful residency at The Horn, which introduced the band’s third studio album, Whatever Happened to Friday Night? We’re not into X Factor style bands; it’s about people making an effort to do something themselves rather than following a template. Andy from The Scratch Now with new St Albans drummer Terry (aka Super) on board and the original four-piece stretched to five with the addition of Steve from Stevenage joining Andy, Grim and John, The Scratch are concentrating on rehearsing material for a fourth album that will be showcased for the first time at the launch.

“It’s been a complete rebirth if you like,” says lead singer Andy. “We went up quite a few levels with the MEN Arena and it’s hard to maintain that peak so we’re looking to local venues to reaffirm our determination. “You’ve got to get up and create your own stuff. We’re not into X Factor style bands; it’s about people making an effort to do something themselves rather than following a template.”Their electro-punk sound is certainly unique with songs like Teen idol and X-Ray Eyes packing quite a punch. Andy says the band’s influences are pretty wide: “Our influences include Ray Davies, the Buzzcocks, which is what Clint Boon picked up on and there’s also some ‘60s Kinks, ‘70s T-Rex and a Primal Scream Madchester thing going on.”

The Scratch also have a distinctive sense of Mod-influenced style. “What we try and do is create an atmosphere to get people up for it. We like to make an effort. We dress to impress.” The band also play The Boot and Bar 62 in October as part of a St Albans mini tour. The Scratch DIY launch party is at The Horn, Victoria Street, St Albans on Friday, October 8. Details: 01727 853143, www.thescratch.co.uk

The Scratch - Whatever Happened to Friday Night? [Album]

2010-09-13T15:05:00.000+01:00

Amazing review by Stephen Smith of Altsounds!

Pony Land Records
September 6, 2010, 07:34 PM

The Scratch - Whatever Happened to Friday Night? [Album]
The Scratch blew me away. What else is there to say? Yet another band I have never heard of that showed up in my mailbox for review. There is something about The Scratch that I really love and is the best band I have reviewed via a mail CD by far!

The Scratch are from Saint Albans in the UK and Whatever Happened to Friday Night? is their third album. It was hard to find any background information about this band except for their MySpace, the main reason being that The Scratch are still unsigned after three albums. They gave up on waiting for the record industry to acknowledge them and went straight to D.I.Y. And there is a good reason why. The Scratch is pure, unpretentious, no holds barred, retro 1980’s punk and New Wave. They are a complete throwback to the more accessible, yet still dark world of 1980’s punk. This band puts you in a time machine set for the early 1980’s and blasts you off. The catch is, there is no way back. It’s a one way time machine. And once you hear this album, you will never want to go back to measly old 2010. There is no reason to leave.

The Scratch's sound is incredible and draws from the addictive, poppy hooks of The Dickies, the seering pop/punk of The Buzzcocks, and the dark, off kilter bass driven weirdness of Australia’s X. All the songs are incredible and, as I said, this band makes you feel you are trapped in time, reliving your favorite moments from the 1980’s again and again. It rips from beginning to end. Lyrically, you have the usual 1980’s subjects. Going to the club, worrying you hair is not dyed right, lamenting that one lost true love, and innocent starry eyed songs about failed relationships or missed opportunities. There is also a hefty dose of snotty, ugly, punkish reality and rebellion. There is some ugliness form the 1980's from which you cannot esacpe. So be careful about what you dream. This is about the 1980’s that really was, it is not the 1980’s that we tend to sugarcoat in our memories.

For those of you unlucky enough to not have grown up in the 1980’s, there is still plenty of great music for you here. The Scratches’ musical style is viscous and hopelessly catchy and transcends time. At times, some of the songs venture into the malicious sneer and attitude of The Sex Pistols. At other times the harmonies are so lush they head into the world of the 1970’s glam of T-Rex. No matter what, The Scratch manage to make their music modern and fresh sounding, mainly due to the huge sounding production. I challenge you to find a new punk release that sounds as good as this.

I just can’t get enough of The Scratch’s, Whatever Happened to Friday Night? The addictive, ultra catchy hyped-up, hand clapping, head moving choruses do me in every time. I’m so hyped about this album I’m tempted to go off on a lengthy track-by-track synopsis but I must hold myself back. Sadly there is no music available from these guys to post directly on here but luckily enough I have a link to their MySpace which is included below.

Check out the following songs:

* ‘Teen Idol’,
* ‘You Want the World’,
* ‘Destroyed by the Look of Love’,
* ‘Girls World’, and
* ‘Against the Grain’.

Click below, and bon voyage. Hope you come back from the 1980's OK.

New recordings coming along.... STRONG!

2010-08-14T11:16:00.002+01:00

Just a little update from the ponyland side of the fence, Andy, John and Grim, were last night holed up in the bunker recording lead vocals for the six new tracks we recorded in May:

Ajax Boogie Woogie Boy from Watford Gap
Weirder than we are (Pedros song!)
Let there be us (super fast and 10% slower version!)
Don't play along (Not sure, does Filthy own it this week?)
Stavin off the wheres or the wise
Biting on my lip

So once the backing vocals are done in September, those babies will be in the can, ready for mixing!... our next session down Farm Factory studios, will hopefully yield:

88th day of run (Previously unheard by anyone but the band)
Homely Crackle (The resurrection of a 2005 classic!)
Desire to be thin (already a live fave!)
Down in the alleyway (surely a nect summer numero uno! - in a Happy Mondays stylee)
Great Adventure (already got Brian's car in mind for the video!)

So all in all, though Supers on his hols, weve got lots going on, prior to the DIY re-launch and Tour in ROCtober!

The return. Endorse IT 2010 - No Sex, No Mud, Just Rock’n’Roll....

2010-08-09T13:44:00.001+01:00

...oh and a few gallons of alcohol, cheesy chips and the colours black and yellow!

Hope youre sitting comfortably, here’s the little story of what happened when The Scratch played Endorse IT in Dorset 2010.

Dear Scratchers,

Friday 6th August, 1pm: The band arrived at Johns house. The three cars of the convoy were loaded to the hilt with all the usual festival paraphernalia, tents, sleeping bags, bin liners, beer, imodium and wellies, plus all our guitars, drum hardware, Steves giant packed lunch! and two new 30 foot guitar leads, one yellow (Johns) and the other a wasp like black and yellow custom made version (Andy’s)... more of wasps later!....

In addition to the band there were four other people in the gang for this current escapade. We’d searched long and hard to assemble a crack crew of merchandisers, photographers, videoers and pr gurus, so as to max our impact on the festival... Unfortunately, they couldn’t make it, so we ended up with Super Cockells mates Paul and Lee and die hard Scratchers, Lucy ‘Fakers’ Davies (although her fave song is now GAT, TAG... ATG!) and Francis ‘Scorsese, Bez’ Hemingway, (the incredible unsleeping man!)

I digress as usual... back to the action...

Hoorah, wed arrived and for starters, despite the forecast proclaiming apocalyptic doom... the earthy/wheaty track to the box office was firm underfoot, in marked contrast to our last visit to the fest in 2008, when we had to be towed in and out by a tractor! The 4 car convoy as it now had grown too, was unpacking tents. Super who was a veritable campsite virgin, was looking worried... with room service nowhere to be seen!

However his usually sunny demeanour returned quickly at the sight of our erections springing up everywhere... Grims tent was one of those trendy new pop-ups so only took approx 30 seconds, the others a little longer, but all was sorted within half an hour and it was time to visit the hospitality tent to sign in and get our drink and meal tokens!...

The organisers as ever had done an amazing job of hiding the 3,500 capacity festival behind a hedge, it was only as you walked past the artists camping that you could at last see the huge tented Desmond Dekkar main stage and experience the massive bass rumble!

Giddy by now with the excitement of a first girl guide summer camp, the hardened, combat ready, rock quintet entered the show ground in search of the Wildcat stage. By now it was 7ish (4 hours to blast off) and we were in serious need of an opening beer!...

With assorted beverages slopping in plastic cupped hands, we headed through the already electric atmosphere, last time (in 2008) wed arrived in the pouring rain and didnt see this great and growing fest in it’s best light, tonight was different, it was everything you could ever want: Music, beer tents, dance tent, food, interesting stalls and sideshows and best of all no frickin chavs, whos musical portfolio extended to little more than XFactor, Cowell and Shezza Cole!... This is proper!

Aussie Mike the Wildcat stage manager was a top bloke... (yeah just get your stuff here for 10)... The backline had been provided by the organisers, but us being a three guitar attack, Steve had brought his amp just in case.

Right, we knew what we were doing, so it was time to return to camp Scratch to get our glad rags on. As we arrived back at base, Lucy and Francis appeared over the horizon and were soon detailed their tasks... Lucy was photos, Francis video and Super’s boys flyers and badges and the task or corralling Grim’s groupies into an orderly line!

We’d had word that it was possible to drive the equipment up to the back of the stage, so Steve who was driving back after the gig, due to a wedding commitment, took Super and the gear, while the rest of the gang, headed on foot, via a deposit of vinyl, t-shirts and cd’s to the official merch tent! (ooh exciting!)

We were by now completely zoned in and still incredulous that promoter and obviously a fan of The Scratch Lamma, had given us the penultimate spot on the 2nd stage on the festivals opening night!

The Soundcheck/line check seemed smooth, Aussie Mike was buzzing about like a helpful bee (not a wasp!), as Andy tried to locate the amp that had the footswitch on it... it was the Crate, with the Marshall cabinet...on plugging in the attack seemed a little ferocious, but in context of all the other noises around, workable and in any case, past experience of Endorse IT told us, in the soundman we trust!

Things were going so smoothly infact, that Aussie Mike suggested we hit the stage early. Following an into from our spectacularly attired bell ringing compare... John led us on, resplendent in his erogonously infused bright red shirt, the crowd went wild... and so we were off and pretty quickly it was clear that Andys amp (on stage at least) was taking the paint off the walls of the B&B that we’d passed 6 miles down the road on our way here!... however, as I said earlier, in the soundmen you trust and from the reaction of the crowd in the arena, the PA was pumping out a far different storey to them (thankfully)

... not only did we get a prime spot on a great little stage, we also managed to pack 18 songs into our generous hour long set!

1) Fakers
2) 4 Play
3) Biting on my lip
4) Desire to be thin
5) Rotten Soul
6) Supermodel
7) Weirder than we are
8) Sweet Surprise
9) Freakshow
10) Ajax
11) Against the Grain
12) Spiral Scratch
13) Critical
14) Teen Idol
15) Dear Maniac
16) Independent
17) You want the world
18) Gas Taps

As Lucy snapped away in the moat between stage and crash barrier, Francis flitted back and forth like a moth on a campers torch and Supers boys Lee and Paul, bopped, badged and corraled...

Unfortunately, all too soon the set was coming to an end. With Super nailing the beat, Filthy buzzing mischievous and waspish, Grim twitching in his Xray glasses and John grinding out an incessant bass rumble, never better shown than on a truly magnificent sounding Teen Idol... (we really must work out a 10 minute festival version!!!!) And in what seemed like a flash our 2nd appearance at Endorse IT was over! but not before Andy did the Gas Tap and leapt from the beer and water soaked stage, just to test the moat for next year! Rock and Roll!

And rest....

As intimated earlier, Steve would be driving back straight after, so we moved briskly back to base... to give him time to lay out his 3rd pack lunch on the passenger seat, while the rest of us excitedly skimmed through
Scorsese and Fakers handywork...

Great great stuff guys!... now it was time to celebrate, so as Steves tail lights disappeared into the night, it was time to make use of the dance tent and boy did we! Grim and John were spirited back to their acid house heyday as Super made up for lost time on the Budvar.

Who knows what time we arrived back to base?!... but it was definitely after 4am... Lucy had taken an earlier night, but it wasnt long before the drunken, guy rope tripping male contingent, broke the solitude with a nightcap in the bijou lounge area of Andy’s luxury four man and a waterfall of festival wee!

Saturday 7th - the next day

Soon (and all too soon!) it was morning, we were awoken by the unwelcome drear of the (frickin) Eagles blasting from some obviously drunk and seriously deluded fellow artist’s campervan!...

The good news though was that Super had survived, as had his boys who had even less sleep than us, but this was nothing compared to Bez Scorsese who had just lain there wide awake listening to the late night then early morning hum from the nearby arena... it was also with great relief that John and Grim emerged unscathed from their cosy popup, considering theyd shared it with what sounded like a wart hog being murdered by a wildebeest, killing a flock or narwhal all night... oh and I nearly forgot... the wasp attack!... Some minutes earlier, Francis had casually mentioned to a semi conscious, dishevelled and fully clothed Andy that he a had a wasp on his neck... Andy hadn’t at first registered, but soon did as the little and now dead bastard stung him mercilessly on the neck!

The main talk over breakfast in the artists area was the rough total of the 36 wee breaks during the night, that and some bloke who had the entire contents of Noahs ark knitted onto his Christmas Jumper... and lets not forget the rather gorgeous young lady serving up the bacon and egg butties....

with our main event complete the aim of our day was to be compus mentus enough to see the Damned at the Desmond Dekkar stage at 11.00pm whilst taking in all the varied delights of the fest... The best way to do that we figured was spend our beer tokens on red stripe in the bus bar! So with 12 hours and counting, we set off, Lucy took the lead with a flat looking local bitter!...

Now, as most of the gap between that first beer and the eking out of the last few coins we had left for a last one, involved drinking, Im going to merely list in no particular order what we did, Saturday 7th went something like this

... we saw the world smallest disco, drank budva and best bitter, saw a great band from Wales called El Goodo (great 60s vibe, bit like the Coral and Super Furries), Super had a kip (or so he said!), sold some vinyl, Francis got up, saw a great 3 piece on the punk rock stage called the Racketeers, posed for photos at the hats for £3 stall (Andy bought one!) oh and an official t-shirt with our name on the back!, more buvar, some cheesy chips, oh and did I mention that wasp sting... (just cos you couldn’t see a Mark then,don’t mean it didn’t happen!) there is one now!!!!, watched a tattoed skiffle band, danced in the dance tent, saw a good band with ‘poxy badges’ called the Subautomatics, with whom we exchanged said badges with some of our great DIY ones!... gave in two cds at the hospitality tent for Lamma (hope you got them mate?), we did the sports car squeeze (5 big drunk blokes in Lucy’s two seater car), the Budvar song, the Croucher song (all around, stuffin it down), did I mention that wasp?, beef stew and dumplings, chips and beans, Lucys sleeping bag with arms and legs, more Budvar, more chips... and finally, our target reached and all too appropriately for such a great weekend a finale of NEAT, NEAT, NEAT by the Damned.

And so that was tale of The Scratch and our visit to Endorse IT in Dorset 2010. Our second trip and hopefully not our last, but don’t just take our word for it, ask anyone who came along with us for their first trip, it truly is one of the best little fests around. Alternative and what it should be all about the music and having fun! With giant thanks we bade farewell on a glorious (typically the best weather of the weekend) Sunday to Lamma, all at Endorse IT for putting us on and for putting on such a brilliant fest. Big thanks to our extended crew and oh, did I mention that wasp?

x

Camden Monarch

2010-07-29T09:53:00.002+01:00

Big thanks again to Jarrod Tourdate and Minki 50ft for inviting us to play at Camdens Monarch last night, as a happy twist of fate, we ended up playing 50 minutes, rather than our alloted 30, as the opening act couldn't make it... a bit of hasty cobbling with semi inked biros, saw pretty much all the newies and the Golden mile (our classic set ender) entertain a sweaty but very appreciative crowd. Great to see some old faces from the past, like Frank, Nigel, McKewan, Trev and his hommies and of course the die hard redoubtable Vince girls (not forgetting you Matt!)... Great to also see Minki and her 50ft Women again (special mention to the bass cab... we couldn't have done it without you! ;-) ) and Alex Recharged and Smoky John too.

So the run up of July dates complete, its now all systems go for Endorse IT for which we shall be feverishly rehearsing!... There are still some tickets if anyone who hasnt already got them, wants some:

http://www.endorseit.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=6

If you can't, were taking August and early September off from Live shows, to concentrate on recording the new tracks and rehearsing for a big push in early October and the exciting digital release of DIY (our long lost debut album) on 10.10.10... so have a great summer hols and we'll see you back at School in the autumn!

And dont forget... We isn't nuffin without you lemons!
xxx

Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=537663534#ixzz0v3lJ3wPE

The Scratch - Hot as a Blacksmiths.... A

2010-07-26T07:45:00.000+01:00

nvil...

Many thanks to everyone who braved the sizzling heat of The Blacksmiths Arms in St.Albans last night, with a velvet curtained backdrop and a general gothic air about the place, The Scratch felt quite at home set up in front of the fire. To be quite honest if felt like it was on most of the night!...

So the last double setter of the summer, saw the band once more hitting top form, as they played to a great mix of old friends, fans, virgins and the odd... odd person... it's great to see the reaction that the new songs are getting, with Weirder than we are probably sneaking top billing over Desire to be thin and Biting on my lip... but you can judge for yourselves this Weds as, the word is that those 3 have been promoted to the 30 minutes set... extra thanks to Lucy and Sam for the help as merch sellers after the gig... we now officially sold out of Grey Medium Mens! Good to see the sturdy looking tables at the pub, managed to take the stage diving too... we don't wanna start paying to play now do we!

Can't wait for Wednesday and a night out in Camden with the Recharged crew and of course a 50ft Woman! One not to miss... it's your last chance before Endorse IT!

Pub... ROCKS!... Mini Snalbans tour kicks off with a split shocker!!!

2010-07-19T13:47:00.002+01:00

Phew… good ole hot style rocknroll action!...

It was great to be back on the gig trail again this weekend, in our dual guises as The Scratch A-Sides on Sunday at Bar 62 and on The B-Sides on Saturday night at the Farmers Boy!... Porqoui? I hear you ask, what gibberish is this?! Well if youd seen both, and been of even average eyesight and numeracy, you’d have spotted, a slimmed down line up on Saturday (and no, not developments on Super’s famed water retention issues!) it was due to legal restrictions on numbers of performers in some pubs, that we gave Filthy Steve the night orf… plus Saturday had been hastily arranged as a home coming celebration for one of the bands biggest fans, who had jetted in from Melbourne in Australia, specifically to catch us live for the first time!... Ms Eliza (Gday) Briscoe!

Saturday 17th July – Farmers Boy – Eliza back from the outback fest!

Having set up, it was just as well it was a b-team game tonight, though Steve has the physique of a Rizzla paper, there was definitely no room for his amp, let alone his chaos theory!!... apart from that and the height restriction (which ensured Andy had to dive forward rather than up) during Gas Taps, the tight fit of the pub, made for a great little atmosphere… The other great thing about these pub gigs is that you tend to play two sets, so its an excellent opportunity to air some of your old linen (which Andy did literally as a result of a trouser splitting high kick during Critical Mass) and also you get the chance to try out a load of new stuff too! Case in point, the first set contained – Let there be us, Desire to be thin, Stavin’ off the where’s or the wise and the brilliantly received Weirder than we are…

Set two, saw more of a (greatest hits show ;-0), with Biting on my lip as the only newie, amongst Teen Idol, Dear Manic, current tourdates numero uno, I relax to spiral scratch and against the grain (ATG to you Lucy!)to name a few. Add to this the trouser split, the forward floor dive, Johns new black and white shirt, Grim’s barnet and Super Cs rapid hi-hat assault on Andys suit elbow and you got a (all be it small) pub full of people entertained and by the end palpably drunk on the fuel of good ole, hot style rocknroll action!... special thanks to Rich for breaking his duck and buying some vinyl, Reebs for modelling the t-shirt so perfectly, Nick for fighting the jetlag and most importantly for Saturday night, Eliza who danced her legs to jelly! Wish you could make all the gigs, at this rate, we’ll have retired by your third one… or been put in a home!

Sunday Night - 18th July – Bar 62

Sunday night saw a welcome return to Bar 62. An A-sides gig and the chance to spread out!... buoyed by the night before's shenanigans and with the addition of pocket powerpack Steve F on guitar… the band wasted no time getting into it… despite Steve’s reticence to take ownership of his first tune to be performed by the band. ‘Don’t play along’… was so well received it was duly re-adopted, by it’s creator straight after! There was some minor juggling of the set tonight (the beauty of having so much material these days!)), as Numbers was rested, for 'Freakshow' that had encored so well the night before, and Don’t play along came in for Destroyed by the look of love (left out due to a damaged falsetto!) With Weirder than we are being once again very well received and a first set highlight…. Second only to John’s magnificent bright red shirt of course!

It was a stifling evening, more conducive with pub garden than pub in doors, but it was great see a few faces from the previous nights gig (notably Matt, nice one), that we’d already got hooked! And of course so many of the hard core, most particularly Lucy, resplendent in new t-Shirt, Dave Whiteworm, who bought one after Thanks mate) and Superstar Tina Scratch! back on the scene from Manchesterland! PLUS a big thanks to Miles Khalazar for the loan of the mic stand!...

Tonight the trousers stayed in tact, but there was a candle and a pint glass on Dave Worm’s table that took a hit as Andy flew over it, much like the nursery rhyme involving a cow and a moon (no that was the night before wasnt it?) and out of the side door, during the Gas Taps finale!... another great fun evening, of good ole, hot style rocknroll action!... was had by all… can’t wait til next week for the Blacksmiths Arms!... Pub Rock eh?... it ain’t covers, so don’t knock it!

Many, many thanks to everyone who showed up over the two days. See you next week! Oh and 2nd week at number 1 for I relax to Spiral Scratch! Thanks all for your support and downloadings!

x

CRMK World Cup Hijack!!! all the facts

2010-06-11T12:02:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Big thanks to DJ Hug(h)ie Hugh for another thoroughly enjoyable night, where, as ever, his plans were completely scuppered by The Scratch's strong arm tactical force.
Everyone in the World was anticipating our much publicised England v USA World Cup cracker of a show... except Hugh... (bless)...

One of the beauties of CRMK.co.uk and particularly Hugh's 'Eclectic Plectrum' show is the immediacy, being as low-tech as you can be, while still broadcasting, gives the evening an extra 'Live' exciting quality, that you don't get from a podcast or listen again style 'modern' experience... and also it covers up beautifully for the fo-pahs, slander and general playing of the wrong tracks... but sod that, John Peel made a career of it (god rest his soul!)

Apart from finding out about John's brothers book of NME albums of the year 1976, (with special 'sleeve notes' from his older brother etched in pen alongside the titles), Hugh's mates who were getting married (Katy and Ross?... I made that up)... who he forgot to mention... (another hazard of too much chat... is you forget what you've said on air!)... the elusive Brighton interview... (Don't worry Jord RR, it's all still on his ipod!)... and Hugh's non comprehension of the England v USA 'only' - bands and tracks...

There was of course and always will be the star of the show. The music...

So without any further a do... with The Scratch representing England and a load of US bands you may have heard of representing America... here is the playlist!!!

1) I relax to Spiral Scratch - The Scratch (England) 1-0
2) School's out - Alice Cooper (USA) 1-1
3) Tina - Louis XIV (USA) 1-2
4) Sparklehorse - Hammering the cramps (USA) 1-3
5) Rotten Soul - The Scratch (England) 2-3
6) Take it or leave it - The Strokes (USA) 2-4
7) Cradle - The Joy Formidable (GOAL disallowed due to the band being Welsh and thus not eligible HUGH!)
8) Feel good hit for the summer - QTSA (USA) 2-5
9) Steady as she goes - The Raconteurs (USA) 2-6
10) X-Ray Eyes - The Scratch (England) 3-6
11) New Town - The Slits (England) 4-6
12) Loser - Beck (USA) 4-7
13) Come as you are - Nirvana (USA) 4-8
14) Liquid Liquid - Optimo (USA) 4-9
15) Wake up and make love to me - Ian Dury and the Blockheads (England) 5-9
16) Witness - Screaming Trees (USA) 5-10
17) Brainstorm - The Scratch (England) 6-10
18) You're the last high - Dandy Warhols (USA) 6-11
19) Jet Boy - New York Dolls (USA) 6-12
20) Supermodel - The Scratch (England) 7-12!

Final score England 7 - USA 12 ... anyway, that's an American football score! Now for the real thing ENG-ER-LUND!!!! ENG-ER- LUND!!!! ENG-ER- LUND!!!!

x

TOUR PART 3 - THE FLAG WATFORD

2010-05-16T19:12:00.000+01:00

And so for the finale of our mini tour, we took the relatively short trip down the A405 to Watford. The Flag is a gigantic old pub, that still has all the hallmarks of it’s coach and horses past. Right outside Watford Junction station its a transient stop off for all and sundry, yesterday on our arrival for soundcheck it was football fans making there way back from the cup final.

As we unloaded the gear it was clear that once again our literal interpretation of the contract either rendered us highly professional time keepers, or unlearning doughnuts, for knowing what normally happens (you hang around for an hour waiting for the headliner to bring the drumkit) and not heeding our vast collective wealth of experience in such matters. Ho hum, Luke the promoter was soon in evidence to allay any fears of a mere linecheck.

As the football fans drifted away, our entourage began to assemble... not least the Vince girls (Sarah completing the tour hatrick resplendent in homemade Scratch on tour t-shirt!)... big thanks too to John and Sarah’s assorted family members, some of whom were yet to experience a night out with The Scratch, plus all the others who made the continued sacrifice, Mrs. Supercockle Sue, Lee-Ann, Ray, the redoubtable McEwan, Mark L. Matt and respective mates et al... it’s been a great little tour, but what makes it extra special is the sight of you guys in the crowd (Big Love from us as ever)...

anyway, back to the gig, The Scratch were third on... the first two bands had toiled manfully with the swirling, booming vocal mix, which was a shame cos there was a good stage area and backdrop, spoilt by the high ceiling just in front of it... This architectural quirk, did not deter The Scratch however, who following two days of mega-morale elevationary rock nroll, were in no mood to let a bit of bad monitoring spoil the party. And so it went... straight in with 4 Play (well they are gentlemen you know, even Terry!)... ripping through Ajax, two newies, the ever growing Biting on my lip and the weird and wonderful Stavin off the where’s or the wise. This section of the set served as ever as a highly charged aperitif before the super seguewayed I relax to Spiral Scratch, Critical Mass and star of the show Teen Idol megamix, which sparked frenzied gyrations in front of the stage by 3 hither too unseen hoody style trucker dudes!... as ever once the atmosphere rises, so too does the anti, followed quickly by the Andy, this time scaling the pole at the edge of stage right, to dive at the feet of a couple of startled lady watchers, the prefect finale.

To sum up the general mood at Scratch central, by using another football analogy on Cup Final Day, the introduction of the big guy at the back has really moved things up a few notches, we're working hard together and are now tighter than Stuart Pearce’s football shorts in the early 90’s and most importantly having a great laugh.

A great final moment to mention, which perfectly sums up this mini tour, was, as John and Terry left the stage, the next bands respective drummer/bassists, whispered “You bastards, how do we follow that!” from fellow musicians with no vested interest, the compliments don’t get much sweeter.

It’s been great to be out on the road, everyone has thoroughly enjoyed it. Huge thanks to all of those we’ve mentioned in the tour blog, especially Jordan and the Recharged Crew, Hug(e)H Davenport, (yes we will have that interview mate!) Luke from Juicebox and hatrick hero Ms S.Vince! (We can’t wait to upload the photo’s!!!)

We’re going to be concentrating on new material for the next few weeks, before returning for a couple of 24 track full setters in St.Albans, in preparation for our summer festival highlight at Endorse IT with Captain Sensible and the gang!

All that’s left to say with our remaining, exhilarated, exhausted breathe is YOU GUYS ROCK!
xx

TOUR PART 2! The Bury - Buntingford

2010-05-15T09:13:00.002+01:00

We arrived at Buntingford’s football ground a little unsure of what to expect, all we really knew was it was an emergency services charity do Steve had organised...

On arrival, Steve was playing football, whilst the ‘medalsome’, old school throwback ‘master of ceremonies’, Les (or something like that) commentated on the match (He was a classic - repleat in best Bernard Manning untucked powder blue shirt and beer gut). Chuck into the mix a highly stressed beany clad (five generations younger), promoter, trying to set up the show behind/around and inspite of the raffle/auction table!!! and you get an idea of the scene we suveyed!

We have to be honest at this point, after last nights shenanigans it looked like tonight was going to be ‘a little after the Lord Majors show’... however.... as you all know kiddy winkies ... “don’t you judge a book just by the cover, unless you cover just another and blind acceptance is a sign of stupid fools who stand in line”... for once the crowd had settled down following the Elvis impersonator’s exit stage right, it was time for The Scratch... and once again, with a shortish, tight set, swopping Ajax in for Supermodel and Stavin off the where’s or the wise from Brighton’s set, the boys didn’t disappoint.

Sparking similar superlatives and reaction’s that each TC era gig has achieved with promises of repeat bookings. We had in classic smash and grab stylee, packed up and left around 40 minutes after our arrival, job done and buoyed still further and beginning to really feel at home on this touring lark!

Big thanks to ali, for your reaction, specially to Ali, Steve, Andy, Lucy, Sarah and co for your support (as ever!) and yes Chris lets get that gig sorted mate.

... next stop Juicebox and The Flag in Watford!

TOUR PART 1 - Brighton Rocks, continued...

2010-05-15T08:54:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

So a little, ‘meat on the bones’ time...

The advance parties of The Scratch - Andy, Terry, Sarah (photo’s, make up, comedy drive thru moment and top 10 list compilation!), and Recharged Radio - Lauren, Jordan, Dan and the mighty ‘fly-on-the-wall’ Hug(e)h Davenport, had already had a hectic, but highly entertaining day: Fish and chips and mushy peas on the beach, fly posting outside the insect circus, a visit to Resident records in the lanes, for a cheeky purchase of X-Ray eyes 10” and a brief rest stop at the Northern lights for a bit of acoustic artisanship and light Latvian refreshment! all of that and it was still only 4pm when the merry band of gypsies finally rocked up to the (highly tucked away and compact) Live Lounge. To be greeted by the second wave of the Scratch massive (Grim, Filthy and John) who had just arrived.

As the cars were being unpacked, Hugh decided to make his way back into the hub and was soon getting in the swing: Flyering, getting chased out of pubs for ‘taking other landlords trade!’ and interviewing manically...

Meanwhile, the (Slightly tucked away) live lounge appeared a little slow to get up to speed, with The Scratch taking it upon ourselves to begin gradually piecing together assorted, disparate bits of PA and missing mic stands...

Soundcheck was finally finished by 6.30, and the entourage made its way back to base camp (The Best Western on the sea front) to get changed before heading back to the venue for 7.30...

First up were Self Help Group, followed by Jespa and then the mighty 50 ft woman delivered 30 minutes of Sexy glam, ‘sleaze’, before jumping back on the train to London, Little Philistines had the unenviable task of following, but delivered undaunted with great aplomb and then it was time for The Scratch.

Taking the floor at 9.40. The set kicked off with Strange 4Play and ended 30 minutes later with an ever manic Gas Taps (complete with Mic against the teeth action). These two provided the pitta bread in a late night ‘dirty Kebab analogy’ with: Fakers, Supermodel, Biting on my lip, I relax to Spiral Scratch, Stavin off the where’s of the wise, Teen Idol, Dear Maniac, ATG, Critical Mass and Independent Unrepentant as the donna meat and Chilli Sauce and extra onions, it was nothing less than continuation of our ‘moulten momentum gathering snow ball’.

Asked at the end, by an enthusiastic convert, “how long have you guys been together”
our reply of, “8 years” ... received a heart warming, if fanciful... “It won’t be long now” (Breath continues to be held, world!) but, It’s feeling like a damn good band to be in at the mo!...

Following Projects set (and attempted poaching of our newest recruit.... hands off our Super Cockle you cheeky boys!) We dumped the car back at the hotel and decamped for a chill at the fishbowl, soon to be joined by Mr D who had been interviewing most of Brighton in the interim (not sure I should mention inter rim?)!... Anyway, by 3.30 am it was time for more fast food replenishment, so we pointed Hugh in the general direction of his hotel after finally managing to drag him off the dance floor!... and with a mix of curry sauce, cheese, chips, meat pies and saveloy’s we headed for the hills job done. Great night.

Big thanks to Jord, all at recharged and the whole Scratch entourage and to Ben and Pat, glad you liked the ‘goody bags!’

x

Brighton Rocks!!!!

2010-05-14T17:05:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Phew, just got back from Brighton and are still catching our collective breath!

Have just got time to lay down the bare bones, as we're off to Buntingford in 5 minutes for part 2 of the tour... so for now here's a brief outline!

A great night and great performance was once again turned out by the Snalbans five. I think the best way to illustrate the show will be when we upload the fantastic pics taken by Super Sarah Vince who was on hand to catch it as it happened!!! Introduced on stage by another of our Scratch glitterati Hugh Davenport, the band went for the throat from the off, promoting superlatives and an impromptu finale pogo-mosh-clinch-extravaganza involving at least Andy, Jordan Recharged, Hugh and another as yet unidentified collaborator!

Other notable performances came from Minki Recharged's 50ft Woman, Little Philestines and Projekt... there is talk of the first two of these coming to St.Albans in OCtober for the DIY release party, we'll keep you posted!

See you tonight!
xx

Tour starts in Brighton tonight!!!!

2010-05-13T08:28:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers, We are very excited here at The Scratch HQ, as today is the day that we begin our mini tour! First stop is Brighton's Live Lounge, we're on at 9.40 this evening, so don't be shy if you're in the area. It's free entry and we are on the bill with 5 other acts, so you can't say it wouldn't be value for money (if you were paying!)... not only that, but superstar DJ Hugh Davenport will be in best journalist mode, so you may even get yourself featured in the radio special we're recording for the occasion!. Stay tuned for regular tweets and updates. It's gonna rock!

x

losing today blog, caps a great day!

2010-05-02T20:50:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers, not content to write us two great reviews on the subject... but Mark and the losingtoday.com crew have penned us yet another glowing eulogy... to make a great day for The Scratch, just about perfect! x

the scratch
Category: Music
The Scratch ‘x-ray eyes’ (pony land). Many thanks to Andy Scratch for despatching with haste a finished copy of the must have 100 only 10 inch repress of the bands ‘x-rays eyes’ single - our copy coming adorned in all manner of autographs and well wishes which I don’t mind saying that aside having us much humbled and at a loss for words will be find itself pride of place framed and hung in a suitably centre of attention location when the losing today singled out shed of sound finally moves into pastures anew (more about that shortly).Anyhow this cute thing first saw the light of day in that golden year 2004 and serves as a pre-teaser for the re-release of the bands debut and re-mastered debut full length ’diy’ which I think I’ve commented on in the not so distant past is of such scarcity that I’m fairly certain we’ve not got a copy. Enough of that - this ten inch set gathers together a brace of golden oldies from the Scratch’s back catalogue ‘x-rays eyes’ itself briefly commented upon a blog or seven ago asserting itself amid a rather nifty austere post punk throb fused to a pulsating and dirty grinding death disco underpin replete with Gang of Four additives, Ry Cooder slides and some classically drilled Pigbag re-wiring. Over on the flip ‘brainstorm’ offers a spot of darkly unfurling softly seducing and brooding psychotropic loveliness, the marinating of mooching locked grooved chime riffs, the spy school noir tipped backdrops and the subtle bathing in swathes of electronic hypno swirls all coalesce with mercurial mesmeric zeal to fracture and unravel into something that both Working for a Nuclear Free City and Genaro would weep with envy on hearing. Essential type purchase then.

Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=58054418&blogId=533737592#ixzz0mnr92nHP

Your maniac, teen idols cause gas explosion

2010-04-16T15:05:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to all at Recharged Radio especially Jordan, Dan and (the elaborately and amazingly vampish) Minki and all connected with last nights gig at 93 Feet East, where some great performances were topped excitingly by one of The Scratch's most incendiary shows in the last year. A hugely enthusiastic group of Scratchers, whooped and cheered every mention of the bands name prior to the show and upped it some during a flashing 30 minutes... Starting with a newie 'Biting on my lip', the boys were looking mean and focused as with each, swagger, strum and grind they built an intense smouldering fire that grew by the time they had introed (the massive sounding) Teen Idol into a raging inferno. Easily the wildest crowd repsonses followed each of the preceeding numbers, first Dear Maniac and finally one of the most unhinged 'flying squirrel meets iggy pop' Smell the gas taps to date.

Massive thanks to all Scratchers, friends, fans and worms for your amazing support.

Next it's a seaside special... don't forget your sunnies!!!

Recharged Radio special - last night!!!

2010-04-13T08:21:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

There were plenty of name checks (Hugh Davenport and particularly Clint Boon) as an hour flew by last night on Andy's latest visit to the studios at Maple Street W1 of Recharged Radio. Host Jordan expertly guided the audience through all things The Scratch with an erudite line of questioning. Starting with Jordan's and The Scratch's Recharged signature track Teen Idol, Andy plotted a course from DIY (I Relax to Spiral Scratch), through Night Bus or Milk Train (Undercover, Smell the Gas Taps) and onto Whatever Happened to Friday Night (Girl's World and Independent Unrepentant), filling in the blanks all the way, with news, stories and info over the past 8 years and beyond!

Many thanks to Jord as ever. See you all on Thursday, with our appetites now firmly whetted!!!!

If you missed it all is not lost!!!, just look out for the podcast on itunes which you can get from www.rechargedradio.com
x

TC's debut brings the house down!!!

2010-04-12T23:09:00.001+01:00

Pub gigs aren't usually where The Scratch, excel or indeed feel most at home... there's something about the no stage thing that doesn't feel quite right... but Bar 62 in St.Albans is a bit different... (yeah it's Andy's mates place, so if ever there was a home banker, Bar 62 is it)... but last night was one of the highlight gigs of the latter Scratch history. Apart from the nailed on performance it was the sheer metronomic brutality of new man Terry C that really smashed the band back into the public eye, a mere 4 months since the departure of The Baron. To a person the assembled throng were full of praise for one of our best gigs in years... Two setters are always strange affairs, harking more to 'covers for cash' than the usual 30 minute smash and grabs we aspire to, Sunday felt a bit like a ram raid that went in, out, drove home, dropped off the stash and then drove back for more taking out the other supporting wall and bringing the whole house down on top of everyone. 3 newies too (Staving off the where's or the wise, let there be us and Biting on my lip), were a real buzz (great to play/hear new material), but old faves such as Strange 4Play, Spiral Scratch and particularly in it's year of re-release... DIY era trio, Alochol's a depressant, Supermodel and finale Texture to the flava!!! left many penciling in the Flag in Watford as there next big gig!

PS. Apologies if anyone sustained any broken toes from the enthusiastic nature of the frenzied dancers... but it was a rock'n'roll show after all!!!

Many many thanks as ever to everyone who made it down. This IS the dawn of a new era for The Scratch! so, see you all on Thursday at 93 Feet... it's gonna rock dudes!!!!

VOTE The Scratch!!! - For the emerging talent awards!

2010-02-17T08:28:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

Now it appears to insiders that we're doing it somewhat in slow motion!... but we've been nominated as 'Best New Band' and 'Best Live Act' for the Camden Crawl Emerging Talent Awards, which is, as it says for emerging bands and would be rather a good thing to win... being that you've helped us to many glorious victories in the past (who could forget the M.E.N.!!!!) please spend just a minute of your time to click the button on the link

http://www.emergingtalentawards.com/vote/band/the-scratch

Here's the low down... Thanks so much, vote like mad!

The top 15 voted artists in each category will be announced on the site on the 15th of March, leaving the ETA judging panel to select the final winners of each award from the total pool of 45 short listed artists with the short list being opened up to the public again to decide Peoples Choice Award.

The Panel for this years ETA’s who consist of music professionals with expertise in a variety of areas to help give a balanced perspective. On board this year are:

Stephen Street (producer), James Sandom (artist management – Supervision), Korda Marshall (record label director – Infectious), Natasha Bent (booking agent – The Agency), Akala (artist), Simon Raymonde (record label director – Bella Union), John Leahy (marketing director – Polydor), Toby Langley & Dan Monsell (Rockfeedback), Eddie Lawrence (music editor – Time Out), Charles Holgate (radio producer Rinse FM) and Lisa
Paulon (Camden Crawl organiser).

The final award winners will be announced approximately 3 weeks prior to the Camden Crawl scheduled to take place 1st & 2nd May 2010. Each winner will be invited to play a 30 minute live set at the Emerging Talent Awards stage on one of the 2 days and will be presented with their award.

Radio 2XS - Teen Idol, riding high!!!

2010-02-02T08:17:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers, we've just had a mail in to let us know that Teen Idol, is still up there punching its weight with the big boys on radio2XS in Sheffield - Playing new music, live sessions and 60 years of rock n roll, 24/7

We're 44th out of their top 60, which ain't bad when you look at some of the acts on the list! (Not sure what the maths mean, but sounds impressive eh!)
x

Latest Statistics
During January 2010:
We were listened-to over 540,000 times.
Our AVERAGE listening time per listener was 1 hours 18 minutes.
We had over 1.7 MILLION hits on our website.

Listener numbers for the Top 60 Tracks heard on 2XS January 2010
ENGINEERS - Clean Coloured Wire 49973
BILLY BOY ON POISON - Happy Valentine`s Day 45779
DOMMIN - My Heart Your Hands 43031
JUNKIE XL - Remember 41977
PLACEBO - Bright Lights 41594
DECAY ENDS A DECADE - Frozen In The Night 39757
HELL - U Can Dance (ft Bryan Ferry) 38864
ROB ZOMBIE - Sick Bubblegum 37339
ASH - Space Shot 36413
ERLAND AND THE CARNIVAL - Trouble In Mind 36068
FRAGILE AUDIO - Heaven Won`t Take 35396
NICKELBACK - Burn It To The Ground 34860
LAROCA - Unit 125 (Aaron Jerome 100 mix) 34708
IDOLS ARE HIGHER - Left To Design 34679
GEORGE PRINGLE - Pop Hit 32674
FELIX DA HOUSECAT - We All Wanna Be Prince 29846
LEE MacDOUGALL - Joanna 28546
GLASS (The) - Superhero (Sam Roqwell & I Sancho mix) 27716
SENADEE - My Fault 27631
PARA! DISE LOST - Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us 26768
WOO WORTHS (The) - Plasticine 26460
DEVENDRA BANHART - 16th And Valencia, Roxy Music 26411
TRICKY - Joseph (ft South Rakkas Crew) 26283
TURBOWOLF - Let`s Die 24579
BIFFY CLYRO - The Captain 24327
IAN BROWN - Just Like You (Prodigy remix) 23625
TIN SOLDIERS - Just What I Needed 22484
ERRORS - A Rumour In Africa 21898
LOST PROPHETS - Where We Belong 21844
HIM - Heartkiller 21488
MOBY - Stay Down 21135
DR RUBBERFUNK - Sunset Breakup 20474
WALDECK - Memories 20458
CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG - Heaven Can Wait (ft Beck) 19463
A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS - Stop Slipping Away (South Central mix) 19377
VITALIC - Poison Lips 19146
EDITORS - No Sound But The Wind 18353
NICK HOLLYWOOD - Deep Henderson 18231
CARAVAN PALACE - Jolie Coquine 18229
PLASTISCINES - Bitch 18215
DEPECHE MODE - Fragile Tension 17655
GREEN D! AY - 21st Century Breakdown 17532
LITTLE DRAGON - My Step 17336
SCRATCH (The) - Teen Idol 17201
EELS - A Line In The Dirt 16808
DEPECHE MODE - Perfect (Roger Sanchez mix) 16414
KAP BAMBINO - Batcaves (Maton mix) 16196
WE KNOW MASON - Man I Want To Become 15664
CHEMISTS (The) - This City 15466
VOODOO TROMBONE QUARTET - Voodoo Juju (Lemon Refresher mix) 14504
EIGHT LEGS - I Understand (Blame James remix) 14018
SOUND OF GUNS - Dead Sea Scrolls 13961
DEPECHE MODE - Hole To Feed 13722
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB - Done All Wrong 13007
LIMOZINE - Honey Yeah 12962
COLD WAR KIDS - Audience Of One 12886
RINGO STARR - Fill In The Blanks 12029
STRAIT LACES - Seconds Out (Uber Gliterrati mix) 11652
JULIETTE LEWIS - Romeo 11637
MOBY - One Time We Lived 11611

The Scratch get nominated!!! - vote now please!

2010-01-25T08:09:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

Just wanted to let you know that we’ve been nominated for The Justin Wayne Show's Birthday Best Awards… for our track TEEN IDOL!!!!

You can vote for us here

Vote at http://thejustinwayneshow.com/vote

Details of why when and who are below, thanks in advance, we know, we can rely on you guys!...

now a word from Justin….

To mark another fabulous year of independent music on The Justin Wayne Show we've nominated the top 55 songs of the year to be played on our Birthday Best Anniversary Show and we've chosen you (The Scratch)! (This is out of over 1000 submissions this year!) We've also included the full list below so you can check out your competition.

The awards show is just after our 2nd Birthday on February 3rd, 2010 at 8pm GMT, 3pm EST, 2pm CST, 1pm MST, and 12pm PST. (Or pop over to the site http://thejustinwayneshow.com and we can convert that to your timezone.)

What does this mean? (The Scratch) You'll be featured on two nomination podcasts coming out over the next two weeks and judged by the staff and other chosen members of the independent music community. Then, if (our) your song is chosen you will be played on the Birthday Best Awards Show on the 3rd of February.

Along with the Top 25 Countdown from our judges' voting we'll also be giving out the following awards:

* Best Artist of the Year
* Best Song of the Year
* Best Band Name of the Year
* Presenter's Picks (Each Presenter gets one of these)
* Audience Choice Award

The Audience Choice Award is up to you (YES YOU!). Send your fans (YOU GUYS), mates, mum and dad, and the rest of your supporting crew to http://thejustinwayneshow.com/vote to cast their vote for you. Then, (you'll) they'll also know where to go February 3rd to listen LIVE to the Awards Show.

You (The Scratch) will also be featured on our website as well as Recharged Radio's website, the Association of Music Podcasting's website and other podcast forums around the world.

Nominees for The Justin Wayne Show Birthday Best Awards Show

To be aired Wednesday, 3rd of February at 8pm GMT on Recharged Radio at http://rechargedradio.com

Vote at http://thejustinwayneshow.com/vote

'Sounds of the suburbs' - Mon Feb 8th - Recharged Radio

2010-01-22T11:54:00.002Z

Dear Scratchers,

It's been a slow start to 010, but, at last we have a confirmed date for our radio special 'Sounds of the Suburbs'. Devised by Andy and Put together with Hug(e)h help from Mr Davenport of CRMK fame and our own Johnny V. SOTS is a one hour radio special about The Scratch/Ponyland Records, St.Albans, the venues and where to get a late night curry!

The show features interviews from 'Scenesters' We are White Worm and Khalasars, live chat with punters down the Horn (venue) a brief history of Ponyland records, news from The Scratch and music from: The Scratch, Harringtons, We are White Worm, Mamajamas, DIY Or Die Organisration and Means of Production and all of this is joyously topped off by an extra special interview with superstar XFM DJ Clint Boon.

Not to be missed. www.rechargedradio.com
x

Unorthadox, but 2010 is off and running...

2010-01-10T11:06:00.002Z

Dear Scratchers,

And so, despite the snow, Friday evening saw 2010 begin for The Scratch with Andy's phone appearance on recharged radio, via the back alley of Andy's mates pub! Host Jordan asked about plans for 2010, discussed the bands latest (theft!!!) setback, this time the loss of all the bands video footage for Teen idol and all the bands amps via a stolen car! Plus, Andy outlined details of the digital re-release of first album Diy, new drummer Terry and the forthcoming radio special that he, John and Crmk dj Hugh Davenport have put together about the St.Albans scene. 'Sound of the suburbs' is an hour long show featuring the bands, fans, venues, ponyland records and best local curry houses! More news will follow in the next couple of weeks, as to when the show will be aired, so keep a weather eye open! Don't forget, If you want to listen again to the show again, just visit www.rechargedradio.com

x

Thanks for a great 09

2009-12-15T07:46:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

Friday night brought to an end a highly successful ‘residency’ at our local venue, ‘Music Pub of the year’ the Horn, St.Albans… a year that’s seen, literally hundreds of people turn out to see the band, and featured true industry stars, Clint Boon and John Robb’s Goldblade, plus in our minds the best of St.Albans underground talent. Friday night was no different, with an excellent debut by Khalasars (keep you’re eyes peeled for these ‘brudders’), a storming main support slot from the newly (and quite wonderfully named) WE ARE WHITE WORM. Plus a triumphant, Herts debut for up and coming Bath band - Recode.

All excellent performances. However the most excellent and ones we’d like to congratulate most... are you, the fans, friends and family, who without your love, support, insanity! We couldn’t, wouldn’t and probably shouldn’t have achieved so much.

With the Baron’s passing. God rest him and his monocle as he retires to his country retreat, to focus on his 3 remaining loves: Family, MD’ing and his beloved Fosters, The Scratch move onto pastures new. There are already two or three potential ‘Lairds’ in waiting, so watch for a plume of aromatic smoke from the chimney of Ponyland towers or keep your facebook/myspace/twitter alerts close to your ears/eyes/noses and throats for as soon as a successor has been sworn in/at, you will be the first to know.

Have a brilliant Christmas and New Year, keep telling all your mates about the Teen Idol vid…and we’ll see you in 2010 for more crazy affronts to the musical fabric of your lives. We love you all.

The Scratch
x

Bye Bye Baron

2009-12-10T07:43:00.001Z

Ach hum… (with a clearing of throat and wipe of the eyes)… Friday December 11th sees us entertaining you with two brand new bands for St.Albans… ‘Recode’ (from Baron country) down in Box, Wilts http://www.myspace.com/recodeband And Khalasars… (who are so new, they don’t even have a demo!), plus, of course ‘able’ assistance and main from our side kicks/straight men/ stooges/fall guys/HEROE’S… Cobra Kai (Aggh you’re just jealous, they’re the White Worm Boys!!!) … that’s not all however… for not only will this gig be the last one of our Horn residencies, our Christmas party and chance to say thanks to you all for your amazing support in what’s fast becoming our most successful year… it will also be the last gig for The Baron, who due to family, work and travel commitments (the unenviable commute from Bath), will be hanging up his monocle after 6 years in the band, The Baron (at the time living far more conveniently in St.Albans), joined us in 2002, just at the point of us releasing ‘Spiral Scratch’, he was there for our debut gig our unofficial debut in Coal Aston, Derbyshire in April 2003 and our official one on May 10th at Jacksons Lane community centre, though half of DIY had been recorded prior to his joining at our notorious pony virus nights!... he featured on the remainder and helped shape us into the more rock style band we are today… But it was with Night Bus or Milk Train he truly stamped his mark, contributing not only drums, but Jobby Fingers too!!!, Following the release, the dynamic shifted a tad, when he took a good job opportunity down in Bath, which whilst on one hand making rehearsal more difficult! (just the 4 hour round trip!), it didn’t hinder the bands progress, in fact to the contrary on the success front, with 2007 signalling a shift into the big-time with our M.E.N. performance, Clint Boon, XFM and all the great stuff that has followed. So, it is with heavy heart, but wishes of luck in the future that we announce his departure and hope that for all those reasons and just an excuse for a plain old festive knees up, you can make it down to buy The Baron a fosters! How can you refuse the invite to join us on Friday December 11th from 8.15, for the special price of a mere £4 (in advance)/£5 on the night!!!!

Roomthirteen interview with Andy

2009-11-23T14:16:00.002Z

The Scratch Interview
Thu Nov 19 06:58:50 2009

The Scratch Interview

by Abi Plunkett
Room Thirteen caught up with The Scratch for a chat. Andy Scratch was kind enough to answer some questions so we could delve deeper into The Scratch. Here's what he had to say:

R13: For those that don't know you yet, can you sum up The Scratch in one sentence?
Andy Scratch: Five blokes addicted to music. Independent! Unrepentant!

R13: How did you all meet and how did The Scratch come to be?
AS: John and Grim were mates from a previous band. I met John at a party and got chatting about music. The three of us decided to form a band. I then met the Baron at a wedding and he joined in on drums. Steve, who used to work with Andy, is the newest addition. He joined the band after standing in for the Baron on the video shoot for our track ‘Against the Grain’.

R13: What sort of music did you listen to when you were growing up?
AS: All kinds from Be Bop Deluxe to T.Rex, from The Specials to The Damned, from New Wave through to Acid House, Grunge and Brit Pop… a whole lot of different bands…

R13: Have any of these artists influenced your sound or have you been inspired by other acts?
AS: I think we sometimes get pigeon-holed in the late 70’s sound. Sure we were influenced by punk and new wave, but equally, by the Kinks, Bowie, Blur and Happy Mondays.

R13: 2009 saw you releasing your third album; have you been pleased with the response to the new album?
AS: It’s funny. Unlike our previous two albums that have been generally really well received, it’s done the Marmite thing: either people have got it or not. The great reviews have been really great, though.

R13: Having the rave reviews from the live shows to your latest album, does this ever put pressure on you?
AS: No, ‘cos at the end of the day, there’s absolutely no pretence with us. We aren’t wannabes. We are what we are: 5 hard working blokes with a sense of humour who love writing, recording and playing live. We’d like to think and hope that comes across.

R13: You're based in the London area, which can be a big place for emerging bands to make a name for themselves; do you feel that the London music scene is a supportive one?
AS: Funnily enough this year, other than our successes on tour dates Unsigned Chart; we’ve kept the London dates to the minimum. Due to the huge saturation on the circuit, we’ve concentrated more on our home town of St. Albans and have played 4 hugely successful residency shows putting on our own bands at The Horn. These include tempting Goldblade and Clint Boon down from Manchester to play.

R13: How would you describe your live shows to someone who has not seen you before?
AS: Explosive, beer stained, chaotic, funny, exciting, fun, and unpredictable.

R13: What makes a live show great? How much does an audience contribute?
AS: The ingredients for a good show are simple: 50% band, 50% audience. It doesn’t matter how good the band is if there’s no-one there to see it which is why we work so hard to get people down to our nights.

R13: Are there any goals that you want to achieve musically? What would you like to bring to the music industry?
AS: Obviously, it would be great to develop our label, to give up the day jobs and devote even more time to all our projects. We’d like to bring back The Factory, New Hormones, DIY spirit back, make things collectable again, vinyl, badges… be cult.

R13: Are you a fan of social networking sites and do you believe they are the best way for a new act like to break through?
AS: We are and we believe they are a great way of doing so, but you still need contacts and 90% luck. It’s a marathon but very satisfying when you reach the stadium and hear the crowd cheering you home!

R13: As 2009 starts drawing to a close, what's been your highlight of the year so far?
AS: Hard to pick one, but in a nutshell if you don’t mind, it’s hard to pick only one from… Our gigs with Goldblade and Clint in St. Albans, releasing the third album, our London Tour dates number ones, playing In the City in Manchester again! And the endorsement quote from Marco Pirroni (big hero!) topped the lot!

R13: What are your plans for future; anything on the cards for 2010?
AS: Next up we are going to be re-releasing/remastering our little known first album DIY for the iTunes generation… we’re putting out a limited 100 7” vinyl of our debut single ‘I Relax to Spiral Scratch’ and adding a couple of new mixes. Plus we've already started work writing new stuff for the next album... so yeah…bring on 2010!

R13: Finally, is there anything you want to let the fans and the people soon to be fans know about The Scratch?
AS: If you like good old fashioned Rock’n’Roll, delivered with an electronic twizzle, a swagger and more than a dash of humour… check us out!

The Scratch’s album ‘Whatever Happened to Friday Night?’ is out now and you can follow the band at www.thescratch.co.uk or www.myspace.com/thescratch.

A mother 333 of a show!

2009-11-07T10:56:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

It was with not a little fire in the mind, that The Scratch took to the 'floor' at mother bar last night, stung or at least a little indignant at having to drop Dial Xero from the set, due to a rambling performance from the previous band... (urggggg)... however, as long as long as its channelled, anger can be an EN-ER-GY... and on this occasion it was and positively so!...

The assembled throng, of hand picked Hoxton, die hard Scratchettes, PR and Radio aficionados were treated to a 12 track set that spanned the 7 years of the bands output to date. From Alcohol's a depressant to Teen Idol, The Scratch delivered a veritable fondant fancy of a show, served up with a crashing Dear Maniac posing as the glistening the cherry!

By the close, there was a furious frenzied vibe bouncing from the flock wall paper, off the windows, round the mirrors and back off the crowd, as the writhing Andy (entangled in beer soaked mic stand and black tie combo), and the almost literally 'fly on the window' routine from the 'Jack in a box' Filthmeister brought finale Smell the Gas Taps to a howling cresendo... to coin an appropriate phrase for the surroundings, it was 'vintage' Scratch!

Great big thanks to Jord for coming down after Andy had previously appeared on his recharged radio show, (featuring a rare, but welcome outing for Undercover!), to Lana for bringing her elegant entourage, gorgeous Rosie and her fairy dust felines, the marvelous, Mr.Mckewan, celebrity duo Ryan & Kelly, Smoky J and all the others who bopped, sang and boogied on a truly enjoyable night in the smoke.

So, one more to go for 09, let's absolutely ram the Horn guys, lets party like it 2 THOU SAND and 9!!!!
xx

Great new review from TSM Radio

2009-10-29T18:37:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

Great big thanks to Tiff and Aynz at TSM Radio for this great review of the new album...

Album Review: The Scratch - Whatever Happened to Friday Night?

powerpop punk rock the scratch tiff woosley uk

Thursday, 29 October 2009
Written by Tiff Woosley

Something wicked this way comes. I am fairly certain that had The Scratch been around at punk rock prime time, they would have given the likes of The Buzzcocks and The Who a jolly good run for their money. It has been some time since this more classic style of punk rock has graced the airwaves, and I think that really, it's about time. Make way for The Scratch, a five piece hailing from St. Albans who, since their debut in 2003, have really known how to make some noise.

THIS ALBUM IS A SHINING BEACON OF PUNK ROCK FINESSE

Their album Whatever Happened to Friday Night? is a shining beacon of punk rock finesse. The band manage to maintain their traditional sound throughout, with near-Elvis-style tones in Freaks of the Daylight and riffs that would make fans of The Clash go weak at the knees in the album's title track, Whatever Happened to Friday Night?. Having said this, the album allows room for innovation and modern twists. Glimmers of more modern indie gleam appear on tracks such as Freakshow, Independent & Unrepentant and, in particular, Destroyed by the Look of Love, proving that The Scratch are more than just ‘more of the same'.
Against the Grain showcases the talents of the lead vocalist, accompanied by riffs smoother than a baby's bottom (in a good way, of course). The vocals are noteworthy in their raw yet polished delivery, which in turn epitomises the beauty of punk rock. Too Busy Thinking About Me turns the dial down a notch, but only to show a softer side to the band's abilities particularly in light of the lyrics and rich tones used throughout. Actually thinking about it, most of these tracks would not seem out of place on the soundtrack to Quadrophenia, which just goes to show that The Scratch produce noise that is nothing less than rock'n'roll.

If a more upbeat style is your cup of tea, then please take a sip of Girl's World. Its lively melodies make it a track that will most definitely have your toes a-tapping. Flicker also offers a bouncing beat mixed with reminiscent lyrics, again displaying the band's many talents; it's a definite album gem. With You Want the World is a dynamic anthem for the noughties and a great addition to an album that impresses all the way through.

Having made appearances on stages nation-wide, The Scratch have proven that not only can they record well but boy, can they play live. Having been victorious at the XFM Unsigned competition with their track Numbers, the band won the opportunity to appear on the line-up for Versus Cancer along with Paul Weller, Ian Brown and Echo & the Bunnymen. And I can only imagine that an audience with The Scratch would be nothing short of a reflection of their utter vibrancy as performed on record. Whatever Happened to Friday Night? was released on Monday 12 October, and taken from the album, their new single Teen Idol is due for release by the end of the month. Teen Idol bundles up all that their album has to offer in one little, bite-size morsel of punk-rocky goodness; it's definitely worth a listen.

In conclusion then, it is one very big round of applause to the boys whose album is, in all its gutsy glory, absolutely one of which they can be proud.

Thanks Tiff, amazing
x

In the City 2009...

2009-10-19T09:25:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

It had been a year since The Scratch had played Manchester, well Salford to be exact and just over a year since our first appearance at In the City… on this occasion it had been a rather late run thing compared to last years ‘blanket CD bombing’ of the Midland Hotel. Where The band, Tina and then purely ‘mate and helper’ out Steve Filth staked out the merch table and bar area of the festivals HQ, chasing, hustling and hassling to get the ‘power core’ of the nations musical ‘tastemakers’ to sneak a peak at the next big thing (US!!!)…

As you know however, (if you’ve been following the drama)… the main talking point, despite super human endeavour, sadly was the rat that invaded Andy’s trousers… Hence the more laid back approach this time around…

Andy led the advance party with Him and Tina attending said merch table around 7.30 on Saturday night (the night before it all actually kicked off) and leaving 10 minutes later having created their own shrine to The Scratch, by way of flyers, badges and giveaway CD’s….

The Day of reckoning began with a text from a concerned ‘Filthy’, asking Andy if he was awake and that he’d been to John’s to meet with him and Grim to drive up, but had got no answer. The minor panic was soon over (John had been retrieving amps from his garage!,,, (sounds like a medical complaint?!)… So slightly behind schedule the long drive began around 10.30.

Meanwhile, with Andy shivering in the typically grey Mancunian air, he Tina and Tina’s bloke Paul hit the Asda food hall for a mega breakfast and a jumper!... fed and clothed for £10 (bargain!) …

The Plan was to meet up at the ever aptly named Boom Boom Rooms (a converted Mill in Jersey Street, Ancoats the heart of the Industrial revolution) at around 1/1.30 for rehearsal and an interview with Stockport FM’s John Culley…. The Boom in studio 2 was akin to being bunged in a tumble drier with an average small venues PA system blasting muffled blasts of hardcore… so we didn’t linger past a set run through and alighted to the town centre for a beer and one last check of the merch table.

The Midland definitely didn’t seem as busy this year, there was no ‘lurking’ John Robb, no Mrs Boon’s tea party, just a mix of ‘On a jolly’ weekend Music Biz types, looking unshaven and ‘important’ and old Grannies drinking tea… oh and of course our favourite stalker subject Steve ‘One day he’ll see the light!’ Lamacq!!!!!! Andy had been banned (by the band) from handing over the album to him as, from the look in Steve’s eye last time he ‘bumped’ into him, a court order at the least could have quite easily been forthcoming. So with the legendary intro, “Hi Steve, I’m Steve”, Filthy handed over the 8th or 9th different Scratch release of our careers to the impermeable DJ.

Pint drunk, it was time to head off to the venue, Jabez Clegg in Portsmouth Street, situated in the heart of the Manchester university district.

The aforementioned John Culley hadn’t managed to make rehearsal, but as the cars pulled up outside the venue, Andy spent a thoroughly pleasant 10 minutes recording a potted history of the band for John’s show to be broadcast later that evening…

The Promoter, a cocky, brash sort of chap, ‘welcomed’ the band in, and pointed us to stage 3… The room was cavernous and ‘pew’ lined, with disciples of the beautiful game transfixed by the big screen as the The Scratch set up.

The usual Manc organisation and legendary care at their musical venues, had obviously been stretched massively thin over the 150 bands and 30 venues, resulting in a ramshackle backline. One cymbol stand and a broken bass amp, were relative blessings however, compared to the two giant brown radiators that blasted out what felt like the harnessed rays of an all too distant sun, through out the 25 minute set… still, all this shit is sent to try us… it wouldn’t be The Scratch if things went smoothly!...

However as you know adversity and The Scratch are firm bed fellows, as thankfully is the ability to pull out a great performance and from the assembled students at the front, a great reaction too… ‘That was awesome’ came the collective shout as the dripping wet 5 some descended the three steps (from Heaven!)…

A quick chat to Tina and Paul, a last swig of tap water and it was back down the motorway… sweaty, but unbowed.

Who says Rock’n’ Roll aint all glamour!

Number 2 in the charts though eh! (somebody up there’s smiling on us!)

Next stop Mother bar.

Fireworks as the launch party goes off with a bang!

2009-10-04T20:31:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Before the nitty gritty, the thanks… Dan, Dan and Dan for services beyond the call at the merch table, to Sian and her gang for earning their albums with a non stop dance fest that would have left Brucie gasping his last, Hugh D for multi-tasking for the umpteenth time and last but definitely not least, everyone of you who bought a CD, danced all night and allowed us the indulgence of an encore… (twice!)

Oct 2nd began wit anticipation and excitement… the giant banner was fluttering outside the Horn, advance sales were better than ever and despite a couple of inevitable set backs* the road ahead was paved with golden light streams all pointing to the same place. The Scratch’s third album launch party.

Following a worrying good rehearsal (as they are the times where the mistakes are supposed to be eradicated!)… the list of tasks was handed put to the heroes of the hour. Rush hour ain’t the best when you’re on a schedule, but by the turn of six, amps were being loaded, kits assembled and balloons being pumped…Unfortunately Steve the soundman was ill*, but big thanks to Bill (Bob) who stepped in to save the day… As Grim pumped, Filthy organised the Dan’s on the merch stand and the Baron tightened his skins, John and Andy made the very short journey over the road to the upstairs studio of Verulam Radio, escorted by host Chris… Big thanks to the team of this tiny local station and all power to you guys for trying to get a genuine St.Albans music show organised for the ‘kids!’… You want the world and the ‘snowballing’ teen idol got dual billings to top and tail the latest 15 minutes of fame…

By now soundchecks were under way… Televised Crimewave were stuck in the London exodus M1, M25 take your pick, so Alias, followed The Scratch, with Cheadle’s Cobra Kai passing the backroom.

Like the shop keeper in Mr.Benn (Kaboof) our comare for the night CRMK DJ and all round top bloke Hugh Davenport appeared (the line up was complete)… no sooner had he ordered a beer than he was leaping on stage and cracking the funnies!… Cobra Kai our adopted gig openers, never disappoint and with beautiful pathos they took to the stage resplendent in White worm t-shirts, (If you don’t know the significance… it’s time you stopped reading and did some research!) Brilliant stuff guys and not least the cover of the Beasties ‘Fight for your right’ … “Ah Ma you’re just jealous we’re the White Worm boys!”…

Battle of the bands winners Alias were up next putting in a sterling 25 minutes… then as the alcohol began to kick in, Andy was carrying at least 3 birthday beers at a time, thank you!) Televised Crimewave were up raising the stakes and oozing London Indie cool from somewhere close to 1983… screaming blondes, desert dry northern humour and tables… how would, how could The Scratch match that?

Dan, Dan and Dan were soon instructed to relax, following their endeavours as the previously sparsely populated backroom, began to throng. At the beginning of the year we’d set out to build a local following up at the Horn and on this evidence 99% of people were here for The Scratch.

In a majorly revamped set… Numbers was to be rested for the first time in two years… The Launch Party exploded with the first chorus of title track ‘Whatever Happened to Friday night’ We’ve had some great crowds down the horn this year, but Friday nights was easily the most enthusiastic… Filthy was already exhibiting a split personality that veered between unhinged and mischievous, as he toppled equally in balanced Andy during the mid 8 freak out of Critical Mass… There is a proper roar and absolutely audible sing along's these days…. It goose pimples the pimples for sure… Andy and Grim even unleashed new Hamer guitars on Freakshow, but the feeling of all round oneness could not be bettered after Andy dedicated ‘Teen Idol’ to one of our greatest supporters this year, Recharged Radio’s Jordan… the room was rocking and it just kept going for Strange 4play and final (!?) track of the set Dear Maniac!

The crowd streamed their approval as Hugh leaped to the stage and willed the boys back for an encore (well you can at your own launch do can’t you!)… and so they did leading with You want the world and stretching as far as Girls World and original DIY track Rotten Soul (not seen live since 2004)… Andy (Did I mention Birthday Boy?) whose suit had shimmered in the ‘borialal’ stage light all night, was at once beer sodden and patchwork camouflaged as he cavorted, rolled and somersaulted from the pit to the equally swimming stage to Gas Taps and newly untethered Fakers…

Sonically it was getting a little ragged to say the least, but visually nothing less than 100% entertainment… One more shouted Hugh… YEAH shouted the crowd… and so as a slightly over egged, but brilliantly ended I relax to Spiral Scratch finally brought down the curtain, The Scratch left the instrument, beer and body strewn stage to huge applause… what a great success…

As we’ve said all along, our LONG journey, we are only half the story, 'cos without you, we wouldn’t be. So as much as the band took great delight from such a fantastic evening, you share at least half the credit. Thank you.

So, work done, there was a birthday and a launch drink up to attend too. Fun, Fun, f…. frickin hell* … as in many a company, corporate organisation, football club, and especially a band! times when certain things occur/get out of hand that are never made public and are left to rumour and legend and finally grow into the most juicy section of the book written 20 years later in acrimony....anyway as I say you’ll have to wait for the book!… But I have a feeling a booze ban will be tabled at the next AGM!

The Scratch as a band have been together since 2001, as a live band since 2003 and a 5 piece since 2009… as I write 2010, we will be reverting to a four piece… Hopefully for a short period… as we look for a new drummer. They say in show biz go out on a high and you don’t get much higher than the album launch party, so it was a good time for The Baron to announce his retirement, and no, not due to artistic differences (although I could never get that Linkin Park CD!) due to work and family commitments. It’s been massively difficult as many of you know for him to commute from Bath for the last 3 years since he moved from St.Albans, so its with a heavy heart, that the rest of the band and I’m surely all of you who have seen him perform with us bid The Baron fond adieu. You will get your own chance to wish him well though as his final gig will be our Christmas party at the Horn on Friday 11th December. It’s good we can all finish on great terms. The Scratch is more like a family than a band, with all the same ups and downs you get, but we will remain great friends and no doubt call on him again especially if we get invited back to box next year!!!

Blimey… told you!*… Obviously this now means we have a vacancy, so please don’t be shy, we’d like to be up and running as soon as in 2010, but he’ll be a hard man to replace.

Bombshells, birthdays and booze ups… it’s all rock’n’roll innit.

Thanks to Hansi for the birthday beer and Biffy for managing the evening from the control room… best of luck with that.

Finally, a mention for the two notable absences on the night, Sam Vince, the star of the album cover art and indeed the new Teen Idol single cover and Tina our manager extraordinaire who for varying very good reasons weren’t able to attend. Thanks for all you did to help make it such a memorable album 3.

Four residencies down, one more to go…

See you for the Christmas finale Horn goers and of course In the City and Mother.

And in the words of the newly reformed Specials we leave you... "It's the dawning of a new era!".

PS don’t forget to visit www.tourdates.co.uk/the-scratch for your FREE ‘Teen Idol’ radio edit download, it’s not on the album!

x

Clint renews his vows of love!

2009-09-29T15:48:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Yee of little faith! Just when you thought Clint had ridden off into the sunset, his work done, never to be seen again following his triumphant night at the Horn, he's back with another amazing eulogy...

"Not only are The Scratch knocking out some of the best new punk rock in Britain today, they’re a pleasure to watch live too.

Everything’s right about them. The sound, the look, the spirit. I’m a fan for those reasons.

Fun to hang around with too. Although I’m not sure about all that late night cross dressing / sex toy experimentation that goes on back at their place after gigs.
Ah well, each to their own, that’s what I say.

Onwards and upwards Scratch people. The new album’s f**kin ace!
Clint Boon 29.9.09"

What can we say Mr B.

You're the greatest bro!

x

Freaks of the twilight - A rock opera down Milton Keynes way!

2009-09-25T09:25:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Hopefully, on this occasion words are unnecessary because you all tuned in to the show… but for those with commitments beyond the reaches of rock’n’roll (maybe Powerpoint enthusiasts or reality TV addicts?…) firstly shame on you! Secondly and luckily for you, here is your opportunity to catch up on what the real cool kids get up to on a Thursday evening.

Anyway… on with the show.... It was 8.40 and John and Andy were there, but there was no sign of Hugh…

The content of Hijack 3 (as it had been billed for months on our myspace)… came as somewhat of surprise to the hero of the piece - DJ and all round aficionado of ‘allsorts’ (‘Huge’) Hugh Davenport, who on being ‘papp snapped’ on Andy’s camera phone as he entered the building, offered the reason that he had been delayed as… “I’ve just spent ages, getting the playlist together…” Er, ‘Hughston’ we have a problem… (… despite the fact that Hijacks one and two had been entire 2 Hour Hijacks of the show, there seemed to be a fleeting notion that ‘other’ music would have a vehicle!…) Fortunately, this misunderstanding didn’t last as, Mr.D being the ‘shockjock' and ‘out there’ hedonist he is… literally tore his notes to shreds.

At last it, I hear you sigh, on with the show....

The plan (from the band) was to ‘treat’ Hugh and his listeners to a play of ‘Whatever Happened to Friday night?’ in its entirety… interspersed with tracks from the bands that helped influence and inspire the album… Hugh by now, playlistless was of course powerless to resist.

With Ian, DJ from the previous show still ‘lurking’ (get it eh… in joke….) in the studio (or was he trying to squeeze past Andy and John without being press ganged into a flyer for the launch do????) giving the whole place a semi manic/semi saunaesque locker room feel, all boded well for a fun night in…

‘less twiggage Hugh, less, less’

…. However with a Kabuff… (and a puff of smoke), as soon as it had begun, it ended, like all good fairy stories on the witching hour…

Much merriment, abandon, text messaging and plenty of lost threads had been had… aided and abetted by tales of Marco, Jordan, Recharged Radio, 3 Counties, Stuart Pearce, The Green Room (which John did a great job of denting!) and even speed camera on the Lower Luton Road (bastards!)… and of course the food for all our souls … The Rock’n’Roll.

1) Whatever Happened to Friday Night? – The Scratch
2) You want the world – The Scratch
3) There goes Norman – Undertones
4) Deutscher Girls – Adam and the Ants
5) Against the Grain – The Scratch
6) How beautiful you are – The Cure
7) Girls World – The Scratch
8) Jackie Says – The Wolfmen
9) Teen Idol – The Scratch
10) War Dance – Killing Joke
11) Freaks of the daylight – The Scratch
12) Flicker – The Scratch
13) Predicatable – The Kinks
14) In the heart of the city – Nick Lowe
15) Too Busy thinking about me – The Scratch
16) Freakshow – The Scratch
17) Metal Guru – T.Rex
18) Fiction Romance – Buzzcocks
19) Independent Unrepentant – The Scratch

Seriously though, for all those of you who remember what evening radio used to be like without ‘playlist hell’, The Ecletic Plectrum is well worth a listen and from what we heard of Ian’s show before, don’t just restrict yourself to 10-12pm on a Thursday… these guys know their music and play it with easily as much passion as the teenage wanabees down your local battle of the bands competition, so check um out… www.myspace.com/eclecticplectrum / www.crmk.co.uk

Many, many thanks to Hugh and we look forward to seeing him in his new role as drunken compare at the launch party next Friday… speaking of which… you got your ticket yet!!!

xxx

Big thanks to Thatchers and Pirroni for a bubbly bank hols!

2009-09-02T09:54:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers, we just wanted to give you a little update of what happened last bank holiday!

First and excitingly! Big thanks to Jordan of recharged radio who during his Friday evening radio show played guest monthly host Marco Pirroni of Adam and the Ants, Siouxsie and the Banshees and now Wolfmen fame, our track Teen idol (B-side of You want the world and track on the new album), which Marco said rocked! Jordan has subsequently made the track his single of the week! What a start to the hols!

Which continued on Saturday with a visit to the West Country, to the village of Atworth to be more exact, just down the road from ‘Baronsville’, to play a gig at the White Hart pub.

What a great night and equally great hangovers to boot! That Harvest Gold sure is frickin strong!

So why Atworth? – Well, every year it seems the Baron’s surrounding villages seem to put on gigs on 45 foot trailers?!? and this year it was the turn of Atworth, this however was a little different in that we’d been asked to play an unprecedented 2x45 minute sets, (the kinda thing covers bands do every week) and probably amounts to about 14 songs, (we took the challenge on the promise of free beer/cider and board, but with The Scratch not being a band with an array of 5 minute tracks, we found ourselves with a huge 28 song line up including 2 or 3 songs we hadn't played live for years!)

As we strode out onto the decidedly chilly stage, we couldn’t have expected such a great evening. The crowd though not the biggest, on account of said freezing summer weather, was perfectly formed and well up for The Scratch history lesson!

Some excellent sound (thanks James) made for a thoroughly exciting performance, as the goose pimples out numbered the chattering teeth 10 to 1! In a set that as previously stated that spanned most the bands life, there were always going be a few hiccups, ‘Filthy’s’ lack of a stage monitor meant a slightly more subdued performance from the self styled ‘jack in a box’ during the first set but apart from that old faves like ‘Rotten Soul’ and ‘Alcohol's a depressant’ made triumphant returns to the fold!

Buoyed by the warmth of the crowd reaction, the second set was stacked with all the current hits! Including the aforementioned ‘Teen idol’ (the song everyone is talking about) plus closing album track ‘Too busy thinking bout me’ and ‘Beach Boysesque slowie’ ‘Freaks of the daylight all got welcome airings as the crowd enthusiastically danced the cold away dizzy on a mix of rock’n’roll and apple rocket fuel! (ask the Baron) who slipped into a cider psychosis during ‘Critical Mass’ after downing a pint in one at the half time break! From which he never truly recovered… (Is that the trees a rustling or the hinges on the gate? Or John an Grim’s room key in the Baron’s jacket pocket?!)

With the job now well done, after what was definitely our best and most enjoyable foray to the South West so far!!, it was time for the rest of the band to get on the Thatchers and trash that bar tab!!!

Big thanks goes to everyone who made it such a great and welcoming gig/night especially Katie and Nathan for booking us! Filthy’s dads amazing salesman friend who turned water to wine after and managed to empty the bulging ‘merch bag’ in 10 minutes flat! And finally, we can't go without mentioning the human beatbox rap experience that the two guys put on in the car park, truly mind blowing! If only we’d had a Ponyland contract on us, we’d have made a signing there and then. If we find out who they are we'll let u know... all we know is the ‘beatbox’ was in a band called Bedmonster… Watch this space!

xxx

Mud, Mud glorious Festival Mud. The Scratch at Endorse IT part 1!

2009-08-11T02:00:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

And so here is the merry tale of The Scratch and The Endorse IT festival weekend.

The idea was to set off early, rehearse at The Baron’s (well in The Queens Head pub in the village, thanks Dean btw) and then drive to the festival, set up camp by about 6, go and watch the Buzzcocks and have a couple of beers, just to get in the mood for the High noon showdown on Sunday.

Saturday 9th August 2008.

At 10am John, Andy and super Tina (PR, manager, videor and blagger extraordinaire) from St.Albans and Grim from London took the road west. The sun was out and there was a crackle of excitement in the air. We had been anxiously watching the forecast for weeks, but as it seems to change by the hour these days, we kind of just hoped. The forecast though for Saturday was wet. Not the best, particularly for Andy who had been suffering from a heavy cold and was still ‘very twisty bugled up’ and the Baron weighing in with a bronchial infection… Grim to everyone’s shock was nearly healthy!… John, just to round off the sp was farting… a lot…

The Journey to Box (Baronville) only took a couple and a half hours, but by the time we’d arrived the sun had turned to dreaded rain (not that it had ever done anything else when we’d ever been to this most green and pleasant part of the West Country!)

We were soon set up in the familiar backroom of the Pub and proceeded to blast away the car bound rustiness… it was great to be playing again!…

The first run through wasn’t too bad, a bit of coughing and croakiness from the vocal side and The Baron ‘tinging’ his Chinese cymbal at EVERY opportunity (no that’s not a euphemism matron!)… it was during the fag break however that things started to get ‘interesting’ news had just arrived from the East from Andy’s brother Nick, who with wife Rosie and daughters Indie (rock) and Boo McManus the disco cat, had already arrived at the festival site and that at the VERY LEAST wellies and waterproofs would be required, but if it got much worse, the life guard would have to be informed!…The rain was torrential.

Once the second set was complete, it was time for a detour before we made our way to Endorse IT. It came in the shape of Focus… (Can’t remember are they the DIY arm of WHSmiths??, anyway doesn’t matter)… This was to be the scene of the first memorable moment of the weekend… oh apart from the sight of ‘City dweller’ Grim, squealing like a girl at the sight of a luminous squidgy orange thing on the path outside chez Baron, (it turned out to be a slug!)… but I digress, the first real memorable moment is The Scratch spending their entire £50 weeknd appearance money on 4 pairs of green wellies and 2 rolls of ‘essential’ black bin bags!!! A final a quick stop for food supplies at Sainsburys and we were finally on the road to festival fun!…

Tucked away, seemingly miles from anywhere, not least as Grim’s Sat(crap)Nav was starting to find smaller and smaller thinner and thinner farm tracks to drive down! We finally spied the Endorse It festival’s rain lashed and windswept entrance as the clock ticked just past 6.00. The deep, deep tyre tracks already told the story as Tina began her first blag as a paying guest, collecting the sparkly wrist bands, and securing a nice camping spot with the band by the bins!

This preceded, first John’s car being towed from the gully between backstage camping and the car park/pond by a tractor and more trickily Grim's (that seemed to have no visible towing facility), resulting in the Baron passing most of the equipment over the fence to John and Andy, but not before (despite being warned) picking up the merchandise box upside down and ‘showering’ the muddy pool with our precious Critical Mass CD’s!.. Finally the day was saved by a hay bail wielding JCB that ended up pushing the car back up the hill and into the backstage camping area… where the fun was really about to begin…

Tina’s £5 Asda tent, went up in seconds…The Baron’s borrowed £99.99 Halfords version was proving more of an issue however, at times resembling a wind surfers sail more than a tent, it took 4 people clinging on and a ‘tent pegger’ to secure the beast before the inner and the eye bulging lilo blowing up (There was more than one casualty of Airbed eye!) could conclude this Kryton Factoresque marathon!…

Just as the final bung was pushed into the final hole… Nick phoned to say that as they had the kids who were understandably miserable… they were going to reluctantly have to head home to St.Albans…But as in the story of Life and Death, one departs and another is born and so into the story we introduce Sam and Raj, who had just been towed into the car park and were looking for the campsite.

In the backstage area things were still very wet, but at least the tents though swaying quite violently, were up and it was at last time for a well-earned beer. A five minute squelchy walk later and the welcome sight of merrily staggering, muddied and colourful hatted, cider jug wielding 'Crusties' came sprawling from the beer tent to great us, to the cool reggae skank, chug of the Ska-lites…. It looked like we had some catching up to do!

Not sure what Cider Tina had for her first drink, but she seemed to be assimilating well! Sam and Raj joined us around 9 after Raj had managed to prize his muddy contact lens from behind his eye!!! Ouch!…

By the time the Buzzcocks took to the stage just before 11.00 The rain and mud were beginning pail into after thoughts. The bin liner skirts and wellies had one the day… as too had the ‘Buzzers’ who having seen them on many occasions in the past were on sparkling form, The Diggle wiggle and triumphant Townsend arm wheels and Shelley’s fantastic vocals and delivery took on majestic tones as they crashed through all the classics, but also not oft played gems like Breakdown from their seminal Spiral Scratch ep (we know a song about that one don’t we Geoffrey!*) Our Endorse it festival had really kicked off.

Sam and Raj decided to hit the hay (well it is a farm!)… So Team Tina hit backstage hospitality and the great Endorse IT bus bar!… Andy meanwhile ran off to find The ‘Buzzers’ as they left the stage and to finally shake the great men’s hands (PSWH?) as they squelched through the mud with carrier bags encasing their 600 hundred quid shoes … it was a moment of true catharsis, 17 after years after the purchase of the amazing Singles Going Steady album!… The others had hit the bar following a quick visit to the hospitality tent to hand in set lists, sign away any PRS and collect our food and drink vouchers for the following day.

Around 1.30, we were beginning to flag, it was time for bed, John favoured the car over Grims thunderous snoring…while the ill boys ‘topped and tailed’, bouncy castle stylee on the other muddy lilo! I bet the Buzzcocks were laying into the hotel mini bar by now?

Nighty Nighty
xxx

The Horn, 'Friday night specials' part 3 - 31st July

2009-08-02T12:41:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Many, many thanks as usual to everyone who made it down to support us at the Horn on Friday... on what was a particularly exciting weekend, having played Standon Calling on Thursday and completing the mixing and mastering of or 3rd album 'Whatever happened to Friday night?'... finished off by The Scratch playing the third of their 'famous five' Friday night specials... extra big ups go to Andy Hall, who retains the title of drunkest man at The Scratch's gigs and Frambo (Bez 09) who showed superhuman strength in catching Andy mid air from his now customary stage leap during Gas Taps! Big thanks also to JB, he's a cat, what cat, he's a gentleman a scholar and great at staying asleep on the hard wood floor while everyone eats their breakfast around him, to Bill who stepped in to do the sound in absence of Steve and who allowed The Harringtons to play on longer, after the night overran... mighty thanks to Hug(e)h Davenport who despite a momentary abberation in the 'Coldplay' department, played a sterling DJ set following the show and of course our Tina, for taking all the hassle out of proceedings. Highlight track of the night was the reserrected Teen Idol... surely a hidden gem from the new album!

Welcome to Smoky Carrot PR. Let's hope this is the start of a beautiful friendship!
'Whatever Happened to Friday night?' ... stay tuned folks you're about to find out!!!!

Finally, keep your eyes open for ticket announcements for the launch do, we are going to be offering a special discount ticket/album deal... so watch this space! See you all soon.

xx

The boys with Brazilian's - a weekend of thongs and new openings!

2009-07-19T21:01:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Samba dancers, Gentleman's Clubs and a full on Scratch radio expose!… sounds like another normal day in the house of Westminster I know… but NO… it’s the story of another memorable weekend in the life of your favourite old new wave band!

Friday July 17th

From the far flung corners of London and Hertfordshire they came… to converge on the fantastically classy Cobden Club in Westbourne Park, London, W10.

Smoky Carrot’s PR team leader John Bromage was the mastermind behind the gig that we’d added to a night that was to feature our first Recharged Radio live ‘unplugged’ session for our mate Jordan Thomas.

We told John it would be tight squeezing in a soundcheck as we had to get to the radio station for 6.45… and so it proved, having arrived at 5.15 (the only band in the world ever to be on time for a soundcheck!) and waited with no sight of a soundman, drumkit or even someone to turn the stage lights on, so as the clock ticked to 6.15, the band left the Cobden with their ‘acoustics’ and headed purposefully towards Westbourne Park tube, having not even had to chance to plug their amps in…

It was a humid evening and those 80’s wool two-tone suits ain’t that good in the air conditioning department. Least of all after a 10 minute, swift walk and then a game of Sardines with 1000’s of strangers on the rush hour tube!

The torrential rain that greeted the fab 5 at Great Portland Street was almost blessed relief!

Conscious that the clock was against us, but also gagging like an Alsatian locked in it’s masters car all day with no windows open in the middle Mumbai… a quick detour to the ‘offy’ couldn’t be resisted…

Jordan (the main man, head honcho, top geezer and presenter of the station… ) greeted us on the stairs of Recharged Radio and hurried the steaming, sweating, bedraggled 5 some into the studio, with around 10 minutes to spare before the show was to begin.

A quick run through, a slurp of lager and at last it was chill time… Jordan was co-hosted on this occasion by the infinitely more pleasing on the eye Minkie (no disrespect Alex and Dave of course!)

The show began by powering into the latest and greatest in unsigned talent as The Scratch, perused their name in ink, with yet another appearance in the ever influential Tourdates unsigned chart… that’s our 10th week in the top 10 since May! With ‘You want the World’ nestling at number 2 (previously number 1).

Refreshed and ready John, Andy, Filthy ‘fish’ Whitty and Grim took to the live room, as the Baron looked on with a lager in each hand…

Title track of the new album ‘Whatever happened to Friday night?’ kicked off proceedings; followed by another former Tourdates number 2. ‘Destroyed by the look of Love’ with the set finaléd by ‘classic’ ‘Night Bus or Milk Train’ fave ‘Strange 4Play’. Here’s hoping it sounded as good as if felt in the studio, out in radioland!… keep a check on our website’s in the next week or two as Jordan will be picking his fave for the recharged myspace player! And you’ll be the first to find out which it is!

Great, part 1 successfully completed it was time to return to The Cobden, to see how our soundcheck had gone in our absence!!!?

We arrived back at around 9.30 to find that the first act had been on and that we were indeed to perform upstairs in the ‘posh room’!… it did look cool. As we entered, we were finally united with John and were introduced to the rest of the Smoky Carrot’s before disappearing into the changing room amid tales of semi clad Brazilian Samba dancers, rearranging their thongs! (there is more on this later, so please read on!)…

We weren’t due on until 10.45/11.00 so on ordering a round a just 5 bottled beers and encountering a bill of almost 20 quid, we quickly decided to drink them and escort our arriving entourage back to the pub round the corner from whence they had just come, in an attempt to help preserve their fragile bank balances!

Pleasantly refreshed, we ‘pied pipered’ back to the Cobden and took the stage 5 minutes later…. The stage was high, the room looked great and it wasn’t long before Steve ‘Mr. Mischief’ Filth was winding Grim up, darting between peoples legs and generally bouncing like a demented toy monkey about the stage… John grinned, Grim ‘grimed’ and the Baron, fired drumsticks into their backs as his slippery grip worsened as the band raised the temperature of the room… Whilst Andy, just couldn’t resist the brilliant arching staircase that led to the 5ft high stage… to max his Marc Bolan posings!

Ripping through ‘You want the world’, ‘numbers’, ‘Whatever happened to Friday night’… the crowd was visibly sliding deeper and deeper under The Scratch’s spell… however it wasn’t until a false started ‘Strange 4Play’ that, the highlight of the night took place…. Reminiscent of a cross between a distant night at the palladium and steamy Saturday night in Rio, one of the aforementioned Brazilian beauties… (and my god was she FIT!!!!)… burst into the room… seemingly lost and possibly making a wrong turn from the ladies, she appeared as if a vision through the swing doors, 'pazzazzing' and glittering as she did, it took a blink of an eye for her to be scaling the star case and delighting both a shocked audience and an ever contorted salavating band!… Quick as a flash (yes a carefully chosen adjective!)… Andy had discarded his guitar and was at first 'can-caning' with this most delicious of scantily clad creatures and then resting his drooling chin across her fish netted shimmering perfectly toned thigh… It wasn’t just blood pressure that was rising… if only they’d heard of lyrca in 1980, when Andy’s vintage tonic suit had been hewn a near certain call to the fire brigade would have been instantly avoided!

And then as quickly as she’d arrived she and gone, vanishing like Mr.Ben when the shopkeeper arrived and now with only Jordan’s photos as evidence (quick as you can mate!) and a single feather from her plumed headdress as keepsakes!….

From then on abandon rained Andy leapt from the stage and began frenziedly stalk the room, first crawling like a tiger on all fours, then leaping back on stage and scaling the staircase in two bounds as if possessed by some Shamanic Rio spirit to finale track Smell the Gas taps…

It had been a memorable, memorable show!….

Huge thanks to Jordan, Minkie (hope it’s spelt right!) and Jarrod (great to finally put a face to the name) from their respective ventures who have supported us so consistently in 2009. Recharged radio and Tourdates.

Big thanks also go to John B and team for their enthusiasm as we left the stage, we are very confident that now you’ve seen what we can do… things are gonna go from strength to strength…. The t-shirt looked great by the way Vicky, make sure you wear it to the Horn on 31st July eh! and Julia, yes, Hanover will be great!

Finally special thanks to Sam, Jez Cheades, Matt, McEwen the irrepressible! And Sara and family, great to see you… you’re getting good at this drinking lark Mark! (Sam those trousers… wear them again!!!)

Let’s hope that all the new faces and contacts we met tonight can join us in our quest for the next level. We’ve got it, if you guys have, we’ll all be smiling won’t we!

Next Stop Rableigh Heath, for a very British country affair!

Saturday July 18th

Andy the host had seen us at the now infamous Clint Boon gig and persuaded Andy Scratch that it would make his birthday he could grow back his ‘Girl’s World’ beard… Andy declined but the band agreed that a good compromise would be to play his party instead.

Following some great work by Leigh Cobra Kai, there was a brand new wooden drum riser at the far end of the expansive Marquee that Andy and co-host Brad had erected for the revelry… it was great to be on the same bill with our White Worm buddies again and who following a swift levels check proceeded to drink with us for the next 5 hours until the first band ‘Revival’ took to the stage…

Cobra Kai were due to proceed The Scratch on the final two spots of the night, but due to a rather ‘stage managed’ and ‘theatrical’ saga with the other band Max Factor… Mark (Jez) Cheadle, Wasabi Penis (Roddam) and Leigh consented to go early so as not spoil the flow of the party.

An excellent 20 minutes set ensued as the red eyed Cheadle swapped intricate guitar parlet with the newly christened Penis…
Can’t wait to see them again (band, not penis) at the Horn on 31st…

The ‘Factor’, were still in transit, via Derby, The M25 and Timbuktu, so with the landlord beginning to get twitchy about the volume, The Scratch decided to cut their losses and wade in with a 17 song strong set, (even Teen idol got it’s first live airing for 5 years!), that saw ‘Jackin-a-box', Filthy give a pure ‘snake in the grass’ of a performance and saw Andy Scratch hurled headlong by the host from a teetering piggy back position during the now hugely unpredictable and sure to end in tears soon, ‘Gas Taps’!

Thanks to all the people who came up to us after with high praise, let’s hope we can meet again on 31st…. thanks to those who purchased the ‘merch’ and finally, Filthy would love to send big hugs to ‘stripy t’, who had certainly taken a shine to the diminutive Scratch delinquent…

Big thanks to Andy for the gig and yes are truly the omelette king!
Thanks indeed to the whole family, whose hospitality the Ritz would have struggled to match…. Shame about Grim and John’s snoring!

See you on 31st ya’ll
xxxx

Whatever happened last Friday night? - read on if you dare!!!

2009-06-08T08:13:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Ok, so everytime we’ve done a gig lately, we’ve come away saying ‘that was the best one so far! The Corwd were amazing’… well, Friday night at the Horn, the much lauded night of the ‘Boon Army’ WAS in very broad opinion our finest hour on the local scene. There are many reasons ‘not least the collision of two world’s!’, Clint has to be one of the main ones, what an honour to have the legend fly all the way down from Manchester after his XFM show to arrive in time to announce us on stage at our local venue! And the things he said in the Herts ad… Christ almighty Clint really does understand! The Scratch is the hardest working band he's ever met: "Those lads are addicted to their music and it's great to spend time with such funny and appreciative people. They love getting up on the stage and having fun - it's so refreshing to see such an uninhibited band." Then we have our own desire, which I’m sure you are in no elusion of by now!??? And finally but most importantly there’s you. The people who turn up every single gig and who almost literally danced their arses off in the throng for 50 minutes on Friday! THANK YOU ALL. Included in the thanks while we’re at it, special, special mentions go out to Rosie and Rhian the chauffeurs! Hugh Davenport, Andy Howard, Mark Looby, Duncan Birnie, Matt, Paul, Sam, Hansi, all the bands (Cobra Kai, Toxins and The Harringtons) and the amazing Tina. It’s a team effort and SO MUCH work goes into one of these nights.

This evening was always going to be ‘highly logistical’ from the start! From the minute that Andy had booked Clint’s flight in early April the pressure as on to deliver a comparable night to our now legendary debut residency gig with Goldblade. Flyers were printed, giant posters began to appear at the Horn and in the locale… even as early as April 5th, ticket money was being exchanged.

Fast-forward to the week of the gig, Clint has been interviewed by the Herts Ad, but (and here is the gripe!) they can’t find a space for it in the paper, we have to be content with just 5 hours of publicity 'online' the day of the gig, there must be someone out there who knows a newsworthy story when it happens and not… Mr.Jones aged 56’s prize freakin' marrow, which seemed to be real news for the 'inkies' this week!

Anyway… 5th June is now upon us ... a day of frantic checking, printing, checklist writing and by 3pm rehearsing (and the Baron turned up too!)

Rosie and Rhian as previously mentioned had one of the main pressure jobs of the night, well probably the most… deliver Clint from, Heathrow. He was landing at 9.25 and would need a shower, but had to be at the Horn by 11!!!… They were on their way by 8.00 (clock ticking)… the second most pressure was on super Tina, with her horrendous toothache! (we don’t do smooth and uncomplicated as you know!)

Team (and it is now becoming a TEAM) Scratch, the band, Mark the photographer and Duncan and Matt the video guys, arrived in convoy at 6.30. to see Lee (Cobra Kai’s drummer) already in attendance and setting up the kit…

Steve (the great soundman!) was there bright and early too, as assorted band members from The Harringtons and Toxins arrived, while The Scratch soundchecked. Tina arrived at 7.30 and was straight into action, bullying Hansi (The promoter) and his staff, doling out lists, timings, handstamps and haranguing bands members for outstanding ticket cash!….

Soon it was 8.45/50 and Cobra Kai (WHITE WORM!!!) were taking to the stage. Though they were one man down, as bassist Mike was in Australia, Mark, Dave and lee carried on regardless and delivered, despite some previous and understandable trepidation, their finest show to date, no bass, Crampsesque in set up, but with a turbo Nirvana ‘Bleach era’ attack, not least from Mr.Cheadle (Mark’s) nicotine soaked lungs… even amp failure, two songs from the end, couldn’t dampen the shouts of White Worm, White Worm, White Worm as the trio left the stage in triumph! Great start guys, Raw Power!…

Next on were ‘Filthy’s’ tips Toxins, gorra bit of a Cobain thing going here, Ky lead singer of the next three piece had the look to a tee. Another top set, power, angst and no little humour!

Meanwhile, despite taking one roundabout 3 times outside Heathrow, in search of the exit, Clint and the girls were well on their way…

With the clock nudging 10.00 it was The Harringtons turn, four, young, multi talented local lads, with more than a hint of The Libertines and the Holloways about them.
You couldn’t get a rizzla paper between them, their tunes were that tight!

As the Harringtons climaxed with Crowd Pleaser, Mr.Boon entered the building. Perfect timing!

Tina immediately buffeted him through the crowd and into backstage, soon much laughter and hugging ensued, as Mark snapped away and Duncan and Matt filmed on…. The scene was set. Clint grabbed a beer and within five minutes of his arrival, was on stage announcing ‘One of his favourite bands’ The Scratch on stage down their local!!! (magical, what a great thrill, thanks so much mate, someone told us a the M.E.N. if Clint likes you, he’ll stick by you. Here was living proof, two and a half years on!!!)

Lights were low and the silhouetted ‘heroes’ took the stage to the strains of Adam and The Ants - Apollo Nine, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 5, 5, 5,5 OoH!….

What a crowd had assembled. It was the busiest I’ve ever seen the backroom, from the stage. And so with almost ‘Pistolsesque’ power at the beginning of ‘God Save the Queen’. New single ‘You want the World’, ripped up the whole venue and set the fluttering pieces on fire!!! Then it was straight into (‘Lucy’s) Fakers, before the chance for Andy to publicly thank Clint and dedicate him Numbers!… Destroyed by the look of love and Whatever happened to Friday night (title of the forthcoming album) continued to mount the pressure, just when the room was ready to go off, the audience was teased and tantalised as the attack dropped with the lighter Girl’s World and Freakshow (much deserved dedication to Francis and co), but far from killing the vibe, these two got the dancers breaking through to the front and primed for the coming storm, from Against the Grain onwards it was mayhem, every word, every clap, every beat was echoed back onto the stage from the audience, it was truly a magic moment in the career of The Scratch. All your mates, family, heroes, smiling, leaping, singing and dancing, it was so amazing that it was being filmed. A night never to forget. Critical Mass was followed by Independent Unrepentant, for which Andy delivered a short diatribe to the lame ass record companies, who can’t see what everyone at the Horn could. Andy summed it up F**k um, ‘WE’RE INDEPENDENT UNREPENTANT!’ the crowd roared!!!
It had been intended at it was a special night to try and do an encore for a change, but the frenzy and clamour was so great, there was no chance of leaving the stage, even Not your friend, a song that had been ‘rested’ live for the last 5 years!… had the crowd in raptures… the finale though ‘Smell the gas taps’ once again stole the show as Andy put down his guitar and leaped literally headlong into the sea of bodies… (you should see the photo of the bump on his head from when the crowd parted!). More, more, more the crowd screamed… despite huge temptation… it was now Clint’s turn and what a 5 star show he had packed in his CD bag, Ska, Northern Soul, Led Zeppelin, Rap, you name it, we danced to it!!!

It’s hard to explain the euphoria in the dressing room after the gig, the culmination of 10 weeks work, It’s like the most amazing orgasm, with the most amazing group of women, whilst listening to your favourite band live, with the most amazing drug invented pulsing round your cranium… X *UCKIN 10 MILLION!!!!!!!!!! (hang on though, isn’t that exactly what happened to John Entwhistle?)

We love you all. Thanks so much. Clint you’re a LEGEND. (hopefully see you back towards the end of the year???… watch this space Scratch fans)

Only 53 days till the next ‘special’ too dudes… so get some rest!

Ps. Andy (lucy’s new bloke), yeah we’re up for the 18th… but not sure about growing the beard back, despite how much you obviously LOVE it mate!

PPS. Don’t worry Mark and Miles… the CD’s were stashed firmly in Mr.Boon’s hand luggage as he headed for checkin!

PPPS. DON’T FORGET TO DOWNLOAD ‘YOU WANT THE WORLD!’ FREE!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Playlist for the EP Hijack 2

2009-05-15T08:36:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

here's the playlist form Weds nights shenanigans!

Magazine – The light pours out of me
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – Two kindsa love
Lonpigs – Blue Skies
Beck – Corvette Bummer
Brian Eno – Baby’s on fire
The Wolfmen – Needle in the camel’s eye
Mooney Suzuki – Shake that bush again
The Scratch – Destroyed by the look of love
The Cramps – Garbage Man
Scritti Politti – Asylums in Jerusalem
Ladytron – 17 (soulwax mix)
Soft Cell – Memorabilia
Inspiral Carpets – Saturn 5
Devo – Mongoloid
D.O.D.O. – Into the black
Public Image – The Public Image
The Dukes of Stratosphere – My love explodes
Late of the Pier – Space and the woods
Okgo – Television, television
Pixies – Debaser
Maximo Park – Going Missing

Hu(gh)ge fun as always on the EP!

2009-05-14T08:46:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Last night saw the return of The Scratch’s ‘commando unit’ to Milton Keynes' CRMK.co.uk radio, this time ‘Colonel’ John and ‘Field Marshall’ Andy were aided by one of their ‘Private’s', the young, almost childlike Stevie Filth making his ‘Eclectic Plectrum’ debut!

In a show that Hugh Davenport the DJ/Producer/tea lady and part time rock historian rules with a hilarious ‘rod of licerace bootlace’, The Scratchers selected all the music for the night and in doing so, debuted a new myspace find the D.O.D.O (or DIY OR DIE ORGANISATION), went back to the 70’s with Brian Eno and inbetween took in The Cramps, Soft Cell The Dukes of Stratosphere and the mighty Mr.Boon’s Inspiral Carpets.

The night also saw John guzzle the entire contents of Hugh’s studio fridge, while Filthy and Andy giggled like school girls. It truly enjoyable stuff and (hopefully) highly entertaining radio… so much so the two hour show flew as main man Hugh, lost his thread, played Beck’s ‘Corvette Bummer’ twice and generally veered off at wild rock trivia tangent just like a DJ should do, in saying that though the fab four still managed to squeeze in 21 tracks! Including of course Destroyed by the look of love! (Nice one Biran)

Hu(gh)ge thanks to Mr Davenport, really looking forward to seeing you at the Horn on 5th June and yes, your Clinterview with Mr.Boon.

No dates yet, but off air we discussed our return to the show in September for an album 3 special!... so watch this space… Just for your reference Hugh’s show is moving after next Weds to Thursday nights 10-12, we’d advise you to tune in, he’s a top bloke who knows his stuff and you’ll get an old skool larf too!

Come and meet him on 5th!

x

No Candy talking! ...so Andy steps in!

2009-05-02T12:46:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Following a swift ‘publicity drop’ to XFM London’s familiar pigeon holes, with ‘personal’ Clint messages and Destroyed by the look of love press packs…. It was a 10-minute route march from Leicester Square to Maple Street and the basement studios of VS Recharged. Jordan the producer was busy setting up tonight’s session band ‘Miss Davina Lee’, when Alex and Dave (the rest of team VS arrived brandishing ‘Maccy Dee’s’ and the less than pleasing news that the ‘star’ of tonight’s show, Douglas Hart (Bassist with Jesus and Mary Chain and now revered, but evidently absent minded video director) was double booked on a video shoot for some unknowns called The Manic Street Preachers, or something like that?

Ho hum! …

Bit of a downer in one way, but the flip side was Andy now had DH’s interview slot, to plug the Clint gig and all other things The Scratch, including the other dates, album 3 and next ep ‘You want the world!’

As previously, the agenda for the show was new and up and coming unsigned acts, appraised and critiqued by a panel of Andy, Alex and ‘Miss Davina Lee’s Gareth. Jordan subsequently admitted that this weeks crop weren’t up to the usual standard and indeed this was reflected in the many cries of ‘too long’ and ‘started well, but went nowhere!’ during the show. However Andy did pick out The Brute Chorus’ ‘All the Pilgrims’ foray into 50’s crampesque rock’n’roll as the one band he’s like to see live from the bunch. And I must say on the evidence of their single hot off the presses, something about a dirty old man and a rain coat, Miss Davina Lee’s single was certainly a great first taste of their wares!

Jordan completed proceedings with a play of DBTLOL (which I’ve got to say Grizzla, sounded frickin excellent!)

Later in the pub, the talk was of the glut of none too clever bands in London and the need for more ‘outa town’ scenes ‘Well we are trying, check the Horn out! On the 5th June!’
Two moments of amusement highlight the hour in the ship. First one was Steve Lamacqs expression on his face as Andy handed over the 10th different demo to the visibly disconcerted DJ!… it was honestly a totally random meeting Steve, but if want to stop it happening… PLAY THE FRICKIN DEMO LAMO!!!!

The second incident was when Jordan introduced Andy to a guy called Chris (a local promoter, designer), who used to work for Glasswerk (London promotions agency)…much hilarity was had as Andy suddenly twigged that he recognised Chris from last years Turnmills gig when a smirking door man (Chris) had said ‘Great the toilet set innit as the band struggled up the stairs amps in hand after typically disjointed London night out…Pale face, turned to red face and then laughter as Andy reminded him of this.

Thanks a lot to Jordan and the guys, good to meet MDL and yeah you Chris. Look forward to seeing you at the Horn on 5th June, you should see the flippin toilets there mate!!!

The Scratch
xx

Destroyed by the look of love - losingtoday.com update!

2009-04-19T09:16:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

We just got this from losingtoday.com

Up date - Andy from the Scratch kindly sent over a finished copy of ‘destroyed by the look of love’ which we don’t mind admitting has been getting a fair hammering since being prized from its mailer, in fact so hot off the presses is this beauty that the ink has scarcely dried on it. Mind you that said it now gives us a chance to tune in and savour the previously reported gone missing in action flip cuts ‘flicker’ and ‘not your friend’ - and little blinders they are. ’flicker’ should rightly see itself garnering something of a thumbs up and some admiring glances from the psychedelic community draped as it is in softly warping lysergic tonalities that we here are thinking reveals someone in the ranks spending their spare time genning up on the finest kookily kaleidoscopic moments to be had from the Elephant 6 Collective back catalogue (Minders, Apples in Stereo, Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control et al) and decided to observe those off kilter wonky west coast moulds through a vintage viewfinder and tender the emitting refractions with essences procured of a quintessentially English eccentricity that suggests Pete Shelley leading out a magic mushroom munching Syd loving collective made up of members of the Soft Boys, the Freed Unit and XTC in their Dukes guise. Trippy stuff. Not to be outdone ’not your friend’ lands a considerable jaw dropped punch, an unrepentant slab of searing, sneering, snot nosed spite replete with nasal drawls and a warring armoury of wilfully frantic spiked and sparring insurgent three chord hip hugging accoutrements that we here are suspecting has been born of some impish soul cross matching the DNA’s of the Godfathers with those of the Dead Boys. No prizes for guessing that you need this in your life sharpish.

Thanks again Mark, hopefully see you down the Horn!
x

Destroyed by the look of love - Review

2009-04-17T06:53:00.001+01:00

See our reviews page...

Goldblade at the Horn, a night to remember!

2009-03-29T18:33:00.002+01:00

Friday 27th March was the first night of our much talked about ‘Horn residency’ and the coup that we’d (well our Tina) had pulled off by managing to lure; TV personality, writer, ‘coiner’ of the household phrase ‘Britpop’ and of course maverick, lead singer and leader of hardcore punk legends Goldblade, Mr.John Robb.

Stage 1): Of global domination was to book a top headline band. Which judging by our initial and Friday nights reaction we did and some! Stage 2): Was to sell as many tickets as we could preferably in advance (which we did), to ensure a great atmosphere from the off, that would re-establish the Horn as a magnet for top quality bands. And in doing so, help to place us up there at the forefront with other local headline grabbers like Enter Shakari and Friendly Fires. And 3): To try to actually make some much needed ‘filthy lucre’ for the bands recording fund! With ‘Super’ Tina and our one girl whirlwind of a street team (yes Sam you!) making a magnificent 7 ‘Scratch team’, how could we fail?

We arrived at the venue just before 7pm to find Tina had already taken total. Everything from the rider, guestlist, stage times, The Bulgarian (Goldblade’s biggest fan!), down to their dinner was all in hand. Biggest worry now, having managed to get them down to chilly, grey ‘Manchesteresque weathered’ St.Albans, was would their ‘gigantic punk rock torso’s’ and ‘stylish shoes’ actually fit on the stage!

The Scratch soundcheck was simple, apart from Grim’s microphone giving his silvery mutton chops incessant shocks.

There was a palpable atmosphere building in the bar, as ‘Sunflies’ took to the stage at 9.10, It was clear that our efforts to attract a good crowd were paying off!

In a flash 10.00 seemed to ‘jump us like a mugger!’ As we strode out onto the stage guitars in hand, the Horn was rammed to the rafters. Negotiating the giant amps, the stage was cramped and bloody hot, but it’s fair to say tonight was one of the bands most satisfying and all round entertaining shows of our career(!?!). From the first chord of ‘You want the World’ to the chaotic feedback drenched, body strewn carnage of final track ‘Gas Taps’. The whole band rose massively (well we were at the ‘orn!) to the ecstatic reaction from our brilliant ‘catalystic’ crowd for every second of the set.

'Bewilderment' is the way Andy described the mood afterwards trying to digest how 40 minutes of such fun packed mayhem had disappeared in such a short, sharp shock! One minute Whitty ‘le Filth’ was scissor kicking off the Baron’s bass drum, the next John was thrusting his throbbing bass up Andy’s bugle “We love you John”, shouted the crowd… then Grim got in on the act “We love you Grim,” (shouted is mum?) with a full guitar ‘fencing’ dual with the mischievous Mr. Filth, only for Andy (at the instigation of foul mouthed gesturing brother Nick), attempting to upstage the lot of them, by launching himself headlong into the moshpit that had ignited at the end of Dear Maniac (Splintered elbows & ‘friendly’ kidney punches, heightened the heady maelstrom) a night like none before!

In a claustrophobic backstage we were soon thanking Goldblade for their encouragement … it was great to hear, for although, we’ve been loosely foisted with the ‘Punk’ banner over the years, we come from two different sides of the 'Punk track', our stressing of a more ‘New Wave’ stance was identified by Mr.Robb, who described us as more ‘Pop’… a mantle that suits us just fine, think Only ones and The Undertones… leave the Hardcore to the hardcore pros, we think… speaking of which!

Now the only thing that could put a dampener on a ‘prefect’ night would be a 'frightened' exodus of our 'new wave' fans in the wake of the anthemic, heavy artillery of Goldblade… We needn’t have worried however… As by the time the ‘glistening’ Mr.Robb and crew had left the stage they had despatched a third encore! Seeing was believing, in fact their show was amazingly reminiscent of the illustrated scenes from Sex Pistols film, The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle. A riot in every sense.

Special thanks go to John and Goldblade for giving us this ‘celebrity’ curtain raiser such presence. To one women street team Sam Vince for rallying the troops as ever, to Sarah Vince for introducing so many G.E.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. new faces, our long suffering families for their love, support and ‘two fingers!’, Hansi, Tom, Steve and all the staff at the Horn. ‘The Bulgarian’ and of course Tina, our manager EXTRAordinaire!

See you on the 5th June with Mr. Clint Boon for part two of our Madchester ‘exchange programme’… Please tell all your mates, ‘cos if it’s anything like the 27th March, it’s gonna be HUGE!!! And if you didn’t know before, you know now, we mean it MMAAANNNN!!!!

What a night, what a bloody brilliant night!
xx

BBC debut time on 3 Counties radio!!!!

2009-03-08T20:25:00.002Z

Dear Scratchers,

Much debate at the pre-rehearsals had centred around choice of tracks. As the three car convoy set off for Luton from Farm Factory studios, it had been decided that ‘Lucky’ ‘Numbers’, ‘Against the Grain’ and the previously unheard (save for a couple of live gig appearances) new track ‘You want the World’, would represent us.

On arrival (finally) Andy in lead car, having proclaimed he knew the way (he did, but not before unscheduled turning around ‘ceremonies’ at one dead end and in Matalan car park and then a game of hunt the car park entrance), the ‘boys’ were reunited with head girl (our Teenaw)… it was now all hands to the pump.

Over the threshold of the Beeb we struggled and lugged, as we were shown to the live room… no disrespect to XFM Manchester, but this was a proper live room, with a proper sound engineer… we were soon informed that we couldn’t have any power until 7 as it was all being directed to another studio broadcasting next door, so ‘quietly’ the gear was assembled, while Tina proceeded to preserve the moment for posterity on Andy’s new camera. (see myspace for the results!)…

Next, it was time for a cuppa, now this is where XFM grab a point back, ‘cos A) we had beer in Manchester and B) when tea was offered, it wasn’t in plastic cups!… once again no offence intended, just an observation at the machinations of radio broadcasting land across the country. Still it was nice cuppa, thanks for that Mike (Sound engineer) and team.

Around 6.30, ‘cos yes we were on time as usual, we were treated to our first glimpse (head around the door stylee) of the diminutive (and Grrr Foxy… down Whitty down) Kelly Betts the shows producer, charming as ever, she ran through what was about to unfold in the next hour and a half.

First we were due to play our debut live track at 7.20, then, run down the corridor to meet Gareth Lloyd the master of ceremonies (DJ), do a quick interview, then, participate in ‘band on the bike’ a variation on the timed lap of a race track the big boys on Jeremy Clarkson’s Top Gear do. (With this is one you ride a child’s ‘Iggle Piggle’ trike around the studio corridor!) And then finally, back down the corridor play the second live track and record the third ‘secret’ track recorded for the podcast.

… this however, is how it went.

We began with the soundcheck… ‘You want the World’ blasted and howled… (a lot better than In rehearsal too). The live room was getting warm and Tina was kept busy ferrying plastic cups of water back and forth to keep hydration at a peak! This achieved, the band was set and standing in position in the live room. At Around 7.15, as we were ready, Mike (the sound) suggested we try our ‘secret’ podcast track… ‘You want the world’, (with brand new ending) was thus dispatched with vigour and aplomb (in our opinion the best track of the night from us) and we were back, standing and set, listening to the show over a monitor speaker, waiting for Gareth to say… And now live in session tonight, we have The Scratch…

Mike kept us posted, “it’ll be after this interview and then a song and then it’ll be you guys”… as 7.25 struck, the opening chords of Numbers came a clanking… (thankfully, ‘cos you never know… ‘there was no red light syndrome’) and our first live track for the BBC was out in the ether! (God speed, fly like an arrow to the hearts of the nation, fair 3 minute tribute to the unsigned!)…

Ahem… back in the live room, guitars and drums stick lay bereft, for the band was now huddled around two microphones in the studio, telling tall tales to Gareth. Following our individual introductions... Steve (newly monikered ‘ Steve Filth’), The Baron, Andy, John and Grim... John then explained the band’s beginnings, Andy plugged the gig and gave Mr.Boon a mention (on the BBC, surely not!) and Grim, offered the advance, pre-release only, copy in the world of ‘Destroyed by the look of love’ over to Gareth for his future (hopefully near) delectation!? While ‘Whitty’, or should I say ‘Filthy’ fielded all questions related to age… while, Gareth split the 7 up (this is not euphemism)… and the Baron… Baroned.

Next up for 'The four dads and there son', was band on a bike. There was only one candidate… You can now witness his efforts on youtube!

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=bbc+3+counties+the+scratch&aq=f

A mere 20 hectic seconds of action and Steve lay panting at the feet of the assembled throng… for despite the distraction of being chased by Kelly with a microphone, (I’m sure he was actually trying to be caught?), by the band and assorted guests and employees, he achieved a highly credible 2nd on the leader board of just over 20.07 seconds for The Scratch. (Officially 3rd, but as the leaders “cheated by running”… We’re taking the silver medal).

Breathless and limping (mainly Steve), we were within seconds back in the live room and an in no time at all, the strains of “Hooray it’s Christmas day…” could be heard wafting across the airwaves of Herts, Beds and Bucks… and then that was it. Phew… as action packed an hour as we’ve done to date.

We’d like to say a massive thanks to Kelly Betts for getting us in for the session (hopefully the first of many), also the same to Gareth, not least for his ‘pushing’ of ‘Numbers’ to Tom Robinson (hopefully, you won’t mind doing the same with ‘Destroyed by the look of love’!? too mate), and finally Mike and all the rest of the team for helping us capture an authentic performance of The Scratch.

In case any of you missed it, or would like to listen again? You can at…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0029nlg/BBC_Introducing..._In_Beds_Herts_andamp_Bucks_06_03_2009/

finally a big shout goes out to all of you who listened and texted us after the show to say how much you enjoyed it. We love you.

Another jewel set in our tinfoil crown, we were off to the Horn to celebrate!
xx

The Scratch go mad in Camden…

2009-02-18T09:11:00.000Z

Dear Scratchers,

It’s been nearly 5 years since The Scratch played the Dublin Castle, this time was different in the fact that we were playing the much vaulted Club Fandango… but other than that, it was the same venue, same clientele, same beer and toilets…. In the end it’s just the same…

Tonight’s set was different and for the first time in our seven year history, the line up was also officially different, with the addition of Steve ‘Kid’, ‘Zamo’, ‘The Boy with a man’s voice’ Whittaker… 5 people however small Steve is… (think a sideways Rizzla)… is a squeeze on the stage of the DC… the lack of usual movement however, was more than made up for by the ‘attack’ of the set… 9 tracks crammed into 30 minutes, that still left our contingent fairly gagging for more….

The set kicked off with Destroyed by the look of Love (my daddy was a Pooh bear) affectionately and more concisely monikered ‘Pooh’ for live dates… DBTLOL is indeed due to be the title track of the next ep (out on Mon March 31st Scratch fans!!!), there ain’t no stopping the releases this year, far from settling into our dotage ’09 is the year of fighting back, the year of action… missing tonight were the staples ‘Numbers’, ‘Fakers’, ‘Spiral Scratch’… but in their place were new ‘young turks’ like
‘You want the World’ and ‘Whatever happened to Friday night’… both surely destined for the LONG awaited album 3.

All in all the set was received as ever with furver and fever, The band were excited and the crowd played their huge part, Whitty’s additon brought comparisons with the Libertines, which can never be a bad thing, the fuller sound and particularly Steve’s great backing vocals, have given The Scratch a turbo edge for the exciting things in the next 6 weeks we’ve got a BBC session and the first night of our Horn residency, where we support Goldblade on their opening date of their uk tour. In the current climate of depression, recession and stale, generia (yes I made that word up), It’s great to be in a band right now, especially when you’re independent and unrepentant like The Scratch.

You said you loved it, we loved it, who needs anyone else for a goodtime… not us!!!!! We love all of you who came. As you know, we are nothing without you.

The Scratch
Xx

… btw… I cut this bit out… but felt it needed putting back in for our children and our children’s children…

Speaking before tonights show a few of our amazing fan base were discussing our apparent lack of London gigs… but were too busy working out how to split our tenner five ways, so we smiled and then bought them a drink and 25 straws… The London scene… In the end its just a game and has no meaning….

CU at the Horn!
x

Whitty puts the record straight... "I didn't play M.E.N!"

2009-02-12T10:05:00.001Z

The write up from outa space! - Whitty - it's official!

Dear Scratchers

At last Steve Whitty has put the record straight about who played the M.E.N. in a candid interview with the Stevenage Comet newspaper...

11:22 - 05 February 2009

'Scratching around'

THE Scratch play edgy, humorous British punk pop and have just released
latest single Against the Grain - a Supergrassy supercharged pop fest.

Formed
in 2002 the St Albans-based five-piece are working on their third album
to be released on their DIY label Ponyland Records.

Having
played the MEN Arena in Manchester to 22,000 people as part of the
Versus Cancer gig supporting Noel Gallagher, Echo and the Bunnymen and
Ian Brown, they also gig regularly on the London circuit as well as in
Herts and Beds.

Guitarist Steve Whittaker has just joined the band after fronting Stevenage/Letchworth/Baldock rockers Look At It Go!

He
said: "My first gig with the band will be on February 17 at the Dublin
Castle in Camden, followed by a BBC 3 Counties session on March 6.

"We
have also confirmed a residency at The Horn is St Albans, with the
first show supporting Goldblade - fronted by Stone Roses biographer
John Robb - on the first date of their UK tour."

Against the
Grain is available for download at iTunes, Sony Connect, Music Now, MP3
Tunes, Greatindiemusic, Flip, Rhapsody, Nifty, LoudEye-OD2 and CDBaby.

Check them out at www.myspace.com/thescratch

VS Re:Charged ... the interview

2009-02-07T23:31:00.001Z

www.vsrecharged.com

Dear Scratchers,

As you know, the secret of our ‘success’ is never giving up and taking our chances when they come up… so there was no way, a few flakes of the wrong type of snow were going to keep The Scratch from their appointment with VS Recharged radio !

A mildly surprised Jordan the shows producer/compare and ‘guru’ greeted John, Andy and Sam (Scratch fashionista and PR Tzar) Vince... “Grim is already here, I was only expecting one of you… but the record label* who you were sharing the show with haven’t turned up, so we’ll get you all in around the table if that’s cool” “Yeah cool”… lucky eh… (*I wonder when their bound and gagged bodies will be found in that Wheely Bin behind Radio 1?!?)

The first thing that hits you is what a really modern and clean studio Jordan and co-host Alex are broadcasting from… it knocked the squash and squeeze of XFM Manchester’s broom or should I say ‘Boon’ cupboard into a cocked hat! Although we did get alcohol there my dear Scratchery readers!!!… VS Recharged has only been going for a couple of years now but is already building a dedicated fan base which is no surprise when they can list the likes of Marco Pirroni, Andy Weatherall (Primals Screams producer) and Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols among it’s superstar music heroes and legends who have already (dis)graced the show!?… Tonight it was The Scratch’s turn!

Sat in the airtight studio were Jordan’s co-host Alex, John, Andy, Grim and looking on Sam who declined the offer of a microphone (this time)… while Jordan played ‘puppet master’ from the control room.

What followed for the duration of the two show was a VS Recharged version of Jukebox Jury as the ‘panel’ listened and then discussed the latest submissions by this weeks batch of unsigned hopefuls, interspersed with general and more importantly for the assemblage all things The Scratch. The show also included a play of Against the grain, which was greeted by a rather charming email from listener Jackie… who reckoned ATG was the best song of the night and that the band had come across as very interesting… (the tricks of radio huh!)… but you were right of course about the music!… Having written this up the day after the night before, without any notes and in possession of an extremely fuzzy head… the only other band name I can remember is that of Foxtrot Bravo a band Jordan had praised, plugged and played who are due to be produced by Oasis’s producer… (Check out Salad’s two albums from the mid/early 90’s and you won’t be very far away at all from FB’s sound).

A few further plugs for the Horn gig, the Dublin Castle, the Tour dates single giveaway, Grim struggling to remember ANY band names and a message from Manilla PR’s Tony later and Team Scratch and Jordan’s crew were soon supping assorted beverages in the Tavern around the corner, while reflecting on a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile evenings entertainment!

Conversations veered this way and that on many subjects, but try as he might Jordan was unable to crack the ‘Age Question!’… (he’ll never believe the reason we took Sam along was to make our collective age just 2 years under 200!!)…eh Sam… lightening reactions… lightening… (xx)….

Thanks a lot to the guys for a great evening, hope to catch you on 17th at the Dublin Castle.

Ps Grim, I won’t be taking advantage of that email address… not without the proper authorisation that is…

A very observant man from Watford...

2009-01-30T08:51:00.002Z

Dear Scratchers,

Here's an interview Andy conducted with Neil Skinner of The Watford Observer just before Christmas.

The Scratch - an itch you just can't...scratch

5:46pm Thursday 29th January 2009"Independent and unrepentant”- a more succinct introduction to St Albans act The Scratch you’d struggle to find.

Formed some seven years ago the lads have, by the standard of most
comparable acts, enjoyed huge success: releasing two studio albums,
clocking up hours of national radio play and appearing alongside the
likes of the Charlatans and Paul Weller – nice work if you can get it.

So why aren’t they better known? Why hadn’t they crossed my radar until some kind soul had a word in my ear?

“Good question,” replies jovial front man Andy Thomson “I wish I knew.”

Allow me, then, to fill in the blanks. Formed by a group of
“middlingly successful" but disillusioned musicians in the early
naughties The Scratch are an irresistibly catchy punk/pop outfit with a
growing fan base across the UK.

In 2007 they played in front of more than 20,000 people at the MEN
Arena after winning an XFM backed competition to support a charity gig
supported by a veritable who’s who of the Brit Pop scene.

Other notable festival slots have seen them appear at the Tony
Wilson memorial In the City gig, and alongside idols the Buzzcocks in
the muddy fields of Dorset.

Blending raw Buzzcocks era punk with edgier, catchier influences
such as TRex and (even) Adam and the Ants, the guys are planning (and
may have the talent for) national recognition but, for the time being
at least, are happy to keep doing what their doing.

Chatting after the much anticipated lauch of new single Against the
Grain Andy reflected on past achievements and spoke philosophically
about the uture.

“We’re a group of guys of a certain age,” he adds, craftily dodging the routine ‘who old are you’ question with aplomb.

“We take our influences from the 90s and even earlier so, yes, we
sound a lot different to a lot of the younger acts out there.

“We’ve had what you could call a career spike in some of the bigger gigs we played but we don’t see it as a bad thing.

“We didn’t set out on a quest for world domination – we are just a
group of guys who love music; it’s so much a part of our lives that we
could never leave it behind.

“If there’s even one person that gets what we’re doing then that’s great by us.”

It’s an attitude in keeping with the band’s “DIY until we die” ethos.

Never wishing to be dictated to, their albums to date, Night Bus
and the Milk Train (2006) and DIY (2004), have been released on their
own label Pony Land.

“Like I say – we’re happy doing what we’re doing,” adds Andy. We
don’t want to be lectured; to be told what to wear, what to say, and
what tracks to release. We can only be who we are.”

Here here.

The guys won’t be back in St Albans until late March.

I advise, however, that you check out thescratch.co.uk in the meantime. Fill your ears and open your minds.
Big Thanks Neil
x

Whittaker debut at 'secret' show!

2009-01-28T08:57:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

The rumours that have echoed the halls of Scratch towers and reverberated incessantly through the entire music industry since Christmas came to a raucous clarity on Sunday night at a 'secret' Scratch gig at St.Albans Bar 62... where the band 'rockin' rolled out it's famous 24 track set, to a joyous leaping throng of party goers!!! Resplendent in 1980's Grange Hill uniform the boy Whittaker slashed/yelped and mockneyed his way through (including a 2 hour rehearsal) 4 hours of big Scratch power!!! to firmly stamp his diminutive mark on the band, raising temperatures and lowering the average age by well over half! Welcome to the Whitster... come see the Freashow's next performance at the Dublin Castle!!!

Hope you had a great Birthday Sian...

Gawd bless ya!
xx

Against the Grain... the ONLY review you need read!

2009-01-27T08:07:00.000Z

Dear Scratchers, Please find below the only review you need to read of Against the Grain, from the amazingly inciteful losingtoday.com

The Scratch ‘against the grain’ (pony land). The return of one of our favourite turntable obsessions of recent years, the Scratch have on more than one occasion flattened us into states of jaw dropped fondness within these pages. Despatching a high end pedigree of pop grooved new wave the Scratch sound like renegades from another pop age time tunnelled into the present and brandishing an impeccable arsenal of hook laden nuggets and whistle-able sub three minute anthems whose prime directive it would seem - aside that is wearing your stylus blunt - is to drive you to the limits of distraction. Both ’against the grain’ and its flip cut ’cool in an uncool way’ bristle with the trademark class of Scratch releases of yore, the former seductively swooning ’n’ swaggering and proving to be a hitherto instantaneously shot of delirious radio friendly new wave buzz laced power pop over-turing that catches light with the same acutely knowing melodic symmetry of the much missed Motors from yesteryear albeit here found peaking over the shoulder of the Flamin’ Groovies and comparing notes whilst shoehorning into the mix some neatly drilled strut riffed ear candy and MOR harmonies.

In sharp contrast the hot rod boogie of ’cool in an uncool way’ yelps, coos, pouts and preens its way in to your psyche and burns the grooves in the process to sound not unlike a preened, primed n’ stripped to the bone early career Reverend Horton Heat who aside sounding like some 50’s wet dream homage sublimely manages to not only veer into the same retro glazed avenues similarly occupied by Pirroni’s much admired Wolfmen but craftily echoes of the ghost of Bators former charges the Dead Boys and the Lords of the New Church while happily showing off its Vanian like Damned / Phantom Chords implants. In short devilishly cool stuff from the practitioners of perfect pop. www. thescratch. co. uk

Huge thanks to Mark

Amateur Hour with Huge Davenport!

2009-01-15T10:23:00.000Z

Dear Scratchers, hope you had the chance to catch Andy and John last night on CRMK radio, where the chaps too over the Hugh Davenport show... despite plenty of pontification and general jovialilty no less than 26 faves, tips and influences were squeezed into a great fun two hours... Hugh was given a couple of exclusives along the way, namely the announcement of Steve Whittaker a great friend of the band, who is officially joining the fold on 25th Jan and also a live London appearance at Camden's Dublin Castle on the Fierce Panda Club Fandango night on Tuesday Feb 17th... there were also dedications to the late great Ron Asheton of The Stooges and fellow CRMK DJ 'The Groover', the stations resident T.Rex guru (it's rumoured he could rival Andy in the fan stakes!) Here's the full track listing of the show...

Commando - The Ramones...

Love you More - Buzzcocks...

Remake Remodel - Roxy Music...

Swastika Eyes - Primal Scream...

Set me free - The Kinks...

Every Second Counts - Switches...

Hello Sunshine - Super Furry Animals...

Free not free - Clinic...

The Bomb - New Young Pony Club...

Girls and Boys - Blur...

In the Heat of the morning - David Bowie...

Jigsaw Feeling - Siouxsie and the Banshees...

In one ear - Cage the Elephant...

Quiet life - Japan...

Against the Grain - The Scratch...

Cartrouble - Adam and the Ants...

Rip off - T.Rex...

A letter to Dominique - Louis XIV...

Slow Death - Flaming Groovies...

Candy Skin - Fire Engines...

Aisha - Death in Vegas...

Search and Destroy - The Stooges...

Amateur Hour - Sparks...

Out Faking the Fakers - The Scratch...

Serve the Servants - Nirvana...

Sunday Morning - Velvet Underground...

Once again great big thanks to Hugh, we look forward to the next one. See you at the Golblade gig, where we aim to furnish you with a copy of DIY and of course an extra extra large t-shirt! Hugh has made forthcoming single Against the Grain, his single of the month 'gawd bless im!'x

Horn SO BIG, it splits Andy's strides!

2008-12-19T17:51:00.001Z

Dear Scratchers,

Wow what a night down the Horn on Thursday... the place was absolutely 'chocca' for the NSPCC Charity night organised by Andy and Whitty - (In Partnership with no-one)... 5 acts were crammed into an adrenalin rush of an evening, that included excellent sets from Whitty (solo, but with less attitude from less Stella!) and Cobra 'White worm' Kai... who despite having their suits 'trumped', weighed in with a great cover of one of Andy's all time fave Nirvana tracks 'About a Girl') Whitty also joined The Scratch on stage for finale track 'Out Faking the Fakers' and for a cameo role as 'Santa Barry', during Against the Grain. Despite the Baron rupturing his shoulder ligaments the band played with its usual ferocious intent, mixing it up a little for the 'diehards' with Independent Unrepentant getting a welcome airing and the ever popular Girls World 'popping up' for a boogie. Another big highlight was seeing Hugh and Mrs Hugh Davenport before (and after)... must have been ok then Mr.D ?!?

Huge thanks to Tina (doing the usual Manchester dash!) and everyone who turned up to make it a great night ... with over £750 made for the Charity too... The only minor panic on the night were the usual lost property, this time totaling, two coats, one phone, one set of keys and the fairy lights John had adorned his bass with... oh and Andy's new tonic suit strides of course, that following a particularly over zealous leap towards the Vince girls in the front row of the crowd, split his seam from here to breakfast time!!! Thank God for the last minute decision not to go Commando!

Can't wait for '09 now! We love you all and you know it you freaks!
xxx

Scratching A Hometown Itch - Herts Advertiser

2008-12-06T23:17:00.002Z

Dear Scratchers,

Here is the result of an interview Charlotte at the Herts Ad newspaper gave Andy... a few of the facts appear to have been, how can we say 'misinterprited'... but hell, why let the truth get in the way of successful story! Thanks Charlotte...

Scratching A Hometown Itch
16:37 - 04 December 2008
PUNCHY pop band The Scratch have returned from a nationwide tour and are now determined to conquer their home town of St Albans.

John Viney, Andy Thompson, Andy Grimwood and The Baron met in St Albans and have been playing together for seven years. With two albums under their belt and performances at gigs all over the country, the band have collected a strong basis of teenybopper support and celebrity fans such as Goldblade's John Robb.

But it all began with performances at St Albans pubs and lead singer Andy Thompson felt that it was about time they returned to their roots. He said: "We want to concentrate on being a St Albans band at the moment and winning fans from our home town. Our city produces great bands year after year and we're hoping we'll be the next ones to make it big!"

The band, who have performed alongside acts such as Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller, describe their music as funky pop laced with a bit of punk and include The Blur among their list of inspirational artists. They have played live sessions on radio stations such as XFM, when DJ Clint Boon praised their, "ace tunes and great spirit" and predicted that they'd go all the way.

The St Albans born and bred rockers spent last month filming here for their most recent single, Against the Grain, and they have also committed themselves to a weekly performance at The Horn starting in 2009, where they'll also play a special charity gig on December 18.

Against the Grain will be released next month and you can find out more about The Scratch and their up-and-coming performances at www.thescratch.co.uk

Classic Punk Spirit is still alive - William Eastment - Student Direct Magazine

2008-12-06T23:10:00.002Z

Dear Scratchers,

We've just received a review from Student Direct Magazine in Manchester of our live show in Salford in October, big thanks to William Eastment for his thoughts...

"Independent Unrepentant." That's how the Scratch see themselves. They are doing their won thing and they want you to come along. If you don't want to, well it's no skin off their nose. They'll probably just keep partying.

It's the kind of attitude that comes from winning XFM unsigned, and playing to 20,000 people one week and 20 the next at a local boozer. Asked about their experience at the MEN Arena opening for Noel Gallagher, they didn't seem fazed. "yeah, Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Ian Brown," they name drop nonchalantly. "It was all right" 20 or 20,000, it don't matter to these boys. They are just here to play and entertain. They arent driven by success, but by the will to just have a good time, a refreshing attitude in an industry that takes itself way too seriously. The Scratch are in high spirits tonight. Having just played 'In the City' earlier in the week, they are excited about the gig, but with stage time approaching, the venue is sparsely populated. Talk thus turns to the experience of playing high profile events such as 'In the City' whether they'll hit the big time or not: "What is the big time, you know? IS it TV, radio and hit singles or is it being in a band doing what you want to do? If you look at it in that respect, we are, in our minds, in the big time." Asked if it was more about having fans at the gigs, their response is decisive: "Absolutely. We're going to give away our four EP's next year... we're on our own label and we've got a dedicated fan base." With no record company pressure they are free to enjoy what makes being in a band so enjoyable - playing live.

That's not to say they want to stay out of the limelight, perpetually keeping themselves in the shadows of the musical underbelly. Entering and winning XFM unsigned and playing 'In the City' with its high media presence, this is a band living out their fantasies, but with aspirations of stardom. " Our hopes for tonight are to expose ourselves to the like of you (the media)," they say before breaking into raucous laughter at the innudendo.

Musically, like most acts they don't want to be pigeon holed. They have been compared to everyone from the Small FAces and the Libertines through to the Buzzcocks, The Damned and Human League. When asked about influences and inspirations, they are quick to move away from what has been said about them: "A lot of the time people will read and review and then judge us on the basis of what they've read, and a lot has been made of the Buzzcock's thing. If they came to see us, maybe they'd have a different perspective?"

And that is what this band is all about. Playing live in a raw, unadulterated style tonight, in front of what can be described as no more than a handful of people, they are completely in their element. It might be more a case of middle-age and mortgages than safety pins and revolution, but do-it-yourself attitude of the late 70's is well and truly alive in this group, who have released all their material to date on their own Ponyland records label and give away their albums on stage. When asked to sum up the band earlier, they struggled to find the right words. But on stage between songs, they found an appropriate tagline. "You're here; most of you are here for free. But you're pissed, and you're having a good time, what more could you want?"

Big thanks Will. Hopefully see you again soon.
The Scratch
xx

WE want the World as long as it's YOU Shaped

2008-11-28T09:27:00.000Z

The Scratch ripped into another hi-octane set at the Horn on Thursday night, a set bristling with pathos, angst, fire and the odd cheeky wink!… just another normal night in Scratchville! Both newies, YWTW and the sleazy freakshow went down a storm with Against the Grain, Spiral Scratch and Dear Maniac the pick of the bunch in a triumphant return to home soil…

massive thanks to all of the crazy fools, who we know (and the ones we don’t) and love for more amazing support last night at the Horn, it was great to get out and blow away the cobwebs and great to finally play a Thrashville Night… thanks to Grae and Bill once again. Herford, Manchester, Ware, Stevenage, Milton Keynes and of course St.Albans… the list is endless and awe inspiring the lengths you go to support us… One more gig to go now for 08, so hopefully see you all back at the Horn on 18th Dec for our charity extravaganza!!!! It's gonna be huge!

Keep your eyes and ears peeled for our forthcoming video and special Christmas message! Plus a special early 09 Scratch night on the Eclectic Plectrum Parade radio show...

You guys give us the Horn and you know it !
x

Shock Radio Salford - Review of our recent Pint Pot gig

2008-10-29T08:39:00.000Z

The Scratch, The Ambush @ The Old Pint Pot, 16/10 2008
Reviewed By Hardy Funk

Every time I’ve been passing the Old Pint Pot on my way to town I was saying to myself I should check it out and have a couple of pints with a good friend there. And every time I was thinking a club called the Old Pint Pot should add an e to the old. But spelling it the way they do makes perfect sense because inside just as from the outside everything looks exactly like an old pint pot should, only in a very polished, clean and new way. Features like that usually not an indication for a good and authentic pub the Pot disproves this simple equation: there’s good music, straight from The Sonics to the best of punkrock, and the bartender is just as nice as a bartender needs to be.

That said there’s one thing that didn’t live up to expectations: there’s hardly any paying guest present; the audience is almost exclusively made up of the two bands, The Scratch’s manager, the soundman (in this case a woman), me and another guy reviewing the gig for Student Direct. So this is one of those gigs bands rave about when they’re finally playing stadiums boasting about how they gave it everything. And there actually seems to be a lot of truth in those statements.

The Ambush, a Mancunian five piece band, start with two energetic songs that blend, like most of their songs, pop punk and indie. Their drive is in large parts due to the singer, who jumps and walks around as much as the small stage allows only to be standing still and howling at the ceiling with closed eyes in the next moment. When he actually kneels down to sing I find myself thinking “Why ain’t I this guy?” and chances are one reason is I can’t do the things he can do with his voice. Shortly interrupted by mic problems they go on, never losing their pace. On their fifth or sixth song they even add a sax and just when the unavoidable sax solo has started and I’m thinking “that’s unnecessary now” the singer gets his harmonica and they get real bluesy and raunchy. What a perfect band for a small pub like this.

Roughly an hour after The Ambush started playing The Scratch take over the stage and make clear from the start that they take the small audience just as serious as their predecessors. A classic two guitars, bass and drum lineup this St. Alban based band has just recently played at In The City and even performed in front of 20.000 people at Manchester’s MEN Arena last year. So they are used to bigger crowds than this one.

Their amazing energy is much more in the songs, but then again, power chords just knock my socks off no matter how often I’ve heard them. Many songs are not much longer than two minutes (at least that’s what they feel like), which is all punkrock is about as far as I am concerned. Besides, reviving the spirit of the best of kicking 70s punkrock is all this band is about. Listening to the CD now I can partly see where the comparisons with The Buzzcocks come from but live they sounded a lot more like The Vibrators, if with an indie edge. And there isn’t actually a lot you would miss on a Vibrators gig if The Scratch were playing instead. It’s powerful, intense music delivered with all heart that makes you wish you were in a sweaty club crowded with people you could pogo dance with. Pretty much towards the end of the set singer Andy Thompson, who has been including pretty much everyone present in his comments inbetween songs, sums up the evening saying “You’re here. Gettin’ pissed. What more could you want?!”

That leaves me only to say that both bands are real nice as well, the kind of guys you’d be sure to find at the bar after the gig, happy to have a pint and chat with you. And next time you hear a big band telling you how they played until their fingers bleeded in front of 10 people you better believe them.

http://www.thescratch.co.uk
http://www.myspace.com/anambush

ITC Review from St.Albans Arts Council

2008-10-22T11:09:00.001+01:00

St Albans bands conquer 'In The City' On Monday October 6, 3 bands featuring musicians from the St Albans district performed at the UK's premier music industry conference and showcase, "In The City".

SAASH Arts set up the showcase as part of their Verulam Underground initiative, supporting the professional developments of artists from the St Albans district, and the attending acts were chosen by a panel of local promoters. The venue chosen was the award winning One Central, in the heart of Manchester's club district - lending itself ideally to a live showcase - complete with an over enthusiastic mouse managing to take perfect aim at the trouser leg of Scratch front-man Andy!

With the unenviable opening slot were punk-pop-glam stalwarts The Scratch who rose to the task with aplomb, delivering a raucous up-tempo set with big choruses, synchronised star jumps and a voodoo back beat. The band had arrived early at the conference and engaged in some top level schmoozing, attracting a BBC interview and the attentions of A-list alternative mavericks such as Clint Boon and John Robb. A good number of delegates arrived with an interested eye, along with a contingent of enthusiastic local fans.

Andy from The Scratch explains: "In the City is a bit like being a starving lion (all the bands), locked in a glass cage, surrounded by herd upon herd of juicy wildebeest, all dressed in masquerade ball masks (the mysterious people in the know) roaming tantalisingly just outside the locked door. Thanks to SAASH we are now in possession of more clues of where to find the key to open it. There is no live event like it, giving bands such opportunities of meeting the right people."

Next up were young mod-pop-rock pack The Culture who arrived with a Radio 1 demo of the week under their belt. The band proceeded to hit the previous night's showcase gigs with a big attitude and a fistful of flyers attracting a strong attendance, with a particularly keen interest from a large posse of female delegates! Their hook-laden, caustic and edgy set was well received with its distinctly contemporary and dance-floor friendly vibe.

Last up were Kerrang! And Rock Sound approved Verra Cruz whose distinctive and unique take on blues-rock had clearly caused a stir around In The City with a number of delegates ticking them off as a must-see for the event. Utilising lap-steel as well as regular guitar, front-man Jimmy attacks his strings with a passion and vitriol rarely witnessed, yet manages to draw both plaintive melancholy and angsty aggression from the instruments. Their sound is at once classic, taking in elements ranging from Howling Wolf to Led Zeppelin, and yet distinctly fresh. The rapturous applause between numbers was interspersed with studied jaw dropping silence as the audience unanimously observed with genuine awe.

As a whole, the acts provided an excellent example of the diversity and quality of acts performing in and around St Albans which will ultimately keep some keen industry attention focused on the area.

This opportunity was being provided as part of the "Verulam Underground" project which seeks to showcase and aid professional development for bands and musicians in the St Albans District.

In The City is the UK's premier music industry conference and showcase event which has helped develop the career of such bands as Oasis, The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Coldplay, The Darkness, Nine Black Alps, Arctic Monkeys and many more. Set up by Manchester's top music entrepreneur, the late Tony Wilson, ITC regularly sees representatives from every corner of the UK music industry (as well as many international delegates) descend on central Manchester for 3 days of debate, and more importantly checking out new acts at the ITC Unsigned Showcase gigs.

This project is provided by St Albans City and District Council and managed by the Arts Team at St. Albans Arts, Sport and Health - the development arm of Leisure Connection.

Full details of In The City can be found at www.inthecity.co.uk

As well as www.leisureinstalbans.co.uk details can be found at the www.myspace.com/saasharts site. Also here one can find details of other music events and projects in the district.

.... it was defiantely a rat btw!
x

An evening of New DIY music - Salford, Manchester

2008-10-18T21:10:00.001+01:00

The Satnav ‘woman’ was going apeshit. “Do a u-turn, turn left, turn right, do a u-turn at the earliest opportunity…” (Well, to be fair to her, she had been shouting largely ignored, for the best part of the 7 hours of our arduous latest Northern sojourn, as we detoured round and round the many of the Shires of middle England). A seven car pile up on the M1 and the closed Junction 14 on the M6, had meant our journey time had been double what it should’ve been. Life on the road eh…

We’d organised the gig at the Pint Pot in Salford remotely, through an ex-work colleague, whose mysteriously elusive sister ran the pub. (in fact she was almost Wizard of Oz like in her mythicality, we never did actually meet the power behind the throne!).

We eventually arrived in drizzly Salford after picking up our Tina and the remaining equipment, just 20 minutes before the doors were due to open.
Laura the hired ‘sound’ had been set up for 3 hours, the Baron who had driven up separately had been here for an hour and all members of the Ambush (our excellent co-conspirators) and other halves beat us by 45 minutes.

Still, honed as we are, it only took a further 10 minutes to be set up and soundchecked. While the Ambush did theirs, Tina introduced us to The youthful Will of Cricklewood (sounds like a character from Robin Hood!, but his name was Will and he was originally from that particular London suburb). Will on his virgin interview for Student Direct magazine, fired some great questions and recorded the sometimes four way replies diligently on his mobile phone before posing with the band for a couple of snaps.

The Ambush took to the stage at 9.20 and were straight into their unique skewed country, funk, jazz experimentation. It was great to see them again. We’d asked lead singer Steve if he and the guys would be interested in doing a joint gig, back in December 07, when we’d been on the same bill at the Dry Bar. Tonight it finally happened. Theirs was a 30 minute set of Sax, blues harp, kazoo, beetle like rolling around on their backs on the floor and the kind of uplifting grooves that would have got Dougie Barder stomping his feet! The highlight though was their great finale track Blackspot, a track I urge you to investigate and download from their myspace.com/theambush… as soon as you can, ‘cos it’s brilliant.

20 minutes later and The Scratch took to the stage, I Relax to Spiral Scratch seemed an appropriate start. (Despite Andy moving the middle 8 without telling anyone, no-one seemed to mind?!) and a jerky crazed set exploded into the room. Tonight’s highlights were; some seriously good audience toe tapping on ‘Girls’ World’, Undertonesque newie ‘You want the world’ and next single (the soon to be released, please keep checking our sites for updates) ‘Against the Grain’. As the set reached it’s climax, the small PA monitors appeared to be straining a little on Andy’s exactingly loud mix requirements, as his voice was reduced to a hoarse and whorey bark for finale Dear Maniac. However as with the two recent outings at The Horn and In the City, the band played an absolute blinder. Pumping John, Thwacking Baron and Spikey Twiddly Grim (were Superhero’s (weirdo’s?) to a man). And that was that. The Scratch/Tina Arena’s first self promoted evening of ‘New DIY music’.

A big thanks goes out to Hardy and mate who turned up from local student Radio Station Shock, to review the gig, and who instigated a great debate on the best ever punk band. The Pistols defeated the Clash, despite Will’s spirited Clash pitch. Also thanks to Alison, Tina’s mate, who only heard about the gig when Clint announced it on XFM the previous evening, big thanks for the plug(s) Mr.Boon. Other shouts go out to Toni (and family), Lucy and Clod who took turns in doing the door for us. The girls looked amazing in their customised Scratch t-shirts. GGGRRRR!!!!!

Also, big thanks to The Ambush boys for a great performance. (Hopefully we can make good our promise of a St.Albans date in ‘09). Thanks to Laura for a great sound and the tips of other local venues you think would suit The Scratch. Then of course Superman Steve Whitty who also endured the 7 hour journey (mainly by munching his way through a giant packed lunch) and who took some really great pics of both bands (see our myspace site soon) and last but never ever least, our Tina, who liaised, cajoled, and harangued in her own inimitable way to make the whole night happen and who arranged for Will and Hardy to come down to do their reviews (as soon as we get them, they’ll up for you to read here)… Star as ever gaffer!

Final mention has to go to Grim who drove for a total of 10 hours to do the gig, arriving home at 3am on Friday morning and then having to get up for work! It ain’t all sex and drugs and rock’n’roll you know being in a band!

See you at the Comedy on 19th November, where all your favourite stars will return to do the whole show again!

xx

The Scratch - In the City 2008 - a bands eye view! Part 3

2008-10-14T09:01:00.002+01:00

Day 3: The Final Conflict. Monday 6th October. Day of the Rat!

Eye bags are on the increase… an ASDA breakfast is sure to help!... Up by 8, out by 10 but not before Whitty eats three times his body weight in 'fry up'. We stride into the Midland by 11.15, following 20 minutes of blanket flyer action on the street outside the massive Manchester University. Now it's time for our noon interview with Ross, Tarquin and Juliette of Big Multimedia at The Tiger Lounge, for 15 minutes of TV interview fame on their soon to be launched IPTV Channel. Good luck and yes John (the Baron's new mate from Durham, they speak the same lingo you know man!) we're well up for a gig when things get off the ground. Soon back at HQ, table replenishment 407 is completed, followed by a mild panic as The Scratch say hi to The Molotovs (a band they had met last week at the Horn gig in St.Albans), when a ginger haired bloke is mistaken for Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens … not sure what he'll do with the 5 cds 3 biogs and 38 flyers? Still Xmas presents are sorted I guess?

Now it's off to Salford Uni for more of the same street team action, while incorporating a quick visit to the Pint Pot (scene of our 16th October date). The clock though is starting to tick very rapidly and there is a palpable lull in energy levels. Tina and Steve decide to hang out at the Midland, while the band go back to change for the final push!

As the make up is being trowelled on at the flat, Tina's sends a rapid volley of Text's Hooky's got a CD, Andy Rourke's got one AND John Robb, has agreed to bring Goldblade to The Horn in St.Albans for a gig!!!! "And now Whitty's chasing John Kennedy with a copy of Night Bus or Milk Train!" As you know Scratch fans we are consummately professional and are NEVER late for soundchecks (as uncool as that may sound), we keep up our record at One Central only to be tutted at on arrival, as we are informed we only have 20 minutes left… (don't worry, it'll only take a pro 5 minutes darlin!!!) … despite a slight technical hitch with a footswitch, the sound generally is very good ala Manchester, leaving us the time for one last Tressle table drop and then it's showtime.

Friends begin to arrive at the Hotel, Lucy and Clod, Mark (Tina told you it would be worth it mate!), Colleen, Super cool Sam, Merrily and a growing bunch of the curious, brilliant and brow beaten. *The guy (sorry can't remember your name) who was doing the Wii guitar hero in the basement of the Midland, promised to be there, JR's seminar ruled him out, but Tony and Denise of our PR company Manilla had just arrived and were up for their first full Scratch set!

Like dynamite, Numbers exploded into life and things never let up from there… Freakshow, You want the world, I Relax to Spiral Scratch, Against the Grain, the intensity never dropped, it was as though all the anticipation of the last 2 days had been distilled into one crazed demonic cocktail. As * said, as the final chord of Dear Maniac sang into the ether, "that's the liveliest show of the whole weekend", big thanks to all those who took the time, thanks to Mr.Coogan who snuck in, in time to leave an informed note on Tina's myspace today (the day after) saying how we rocked. Thanks we appreciate the time you all took to come along.

And, so that was it, In the City 2008, all that effort from Tina and Steve had culminated in the band delivering in equal measure for them, in our eyes the two real heroes of the weekend. (Big thanks to Paul for making the journey and wearing the tee btw). All that was left now was for a wind down beer, before the long drive back to St.Albans… there was a mild whiff on anti climax in the air as I'm sure you could imagine, it had been an intense affair. However there was one last Scratch on tour gem to tell you about.

A reflective Andy and Whitty, are sat down at the table we had populated since the gig and have become emersed in conversation about what was next, and how Steve could force John Kennedy to offer The Scratch a session, when suddenly Andy jumped up going "Er , what's that!, er aghh"… bewildered Steve looked on as in the style of frightened school girl Andy is shrieking "Er, get it off me" he promptly drops his trousers to his knees shaking booty violently! It turns out that while Steve and Andy chatted, Steve had felt something brush past his foot… just seconds before a RAT RUNS UP ANDY'S TROUSER LEG, ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP TO HIS RAPIDLY CONTRACTING BACKSIDE!… looking presumably for a way out! "Thank God I wasn't going Commando! As it was, despite only having a couple of pints, I had ended the night well and truly 'Rat Arsed!"

"It ain't rockin roll and I don't like it, like it no I don't."

It could only happen to our band…

Wow what a weekend, what a bizarre end and so as all fairy tales end, we got our record deal and lived happily ever after… well, that was the dream Andy was having as he, Grim and Whitty were chauffered back down the motorway by John, for another 2 o'clock finale… but this time it was bloody work in the morning. Who says life on the road ain't glamourous! Thanks to the lead singer of the band who followed the Underground Verulam showcase (The one we'd opened), who dedicated their first song to the man who had the rat in his trousers!

The extra special thanks however goes to Clint (really touched that you put us in your top 10 tips for the weekend on the offical site mate!), Charley (Hopefully see you in Salford on 16th for a spot of afternoon tea), Supercharged John Robb (let's get this gig sorted at the Horn mate), Martin Coogan (great to meet you at last), Grae at the St.Albans Arts Council, (for this great opportunity… looking forward to Trashville in November) …and as we've said before the true stars of this weekend Steve (I'm gonna get that Kennedy session Whittaker) and the amazing Tina, we love you.

Apologies to anyones names we've forgotten or not mention, total recall after a weekend like that, just ain't gonna happen anymore. We're already anticipating next year's later, more prominent spot! Safe in the knowledge that team Scratch could not have done anymore to get our name across to the great and good (and evil) of the music elite. Next stop Tea and cake down Salford Way!

One question remains however… Where did lager magnet The Baron get that case of Red Stripe he was carrying around all of Monday by the way?
xx

The Scratch - In the City 2008 - a bands eye view! Part 2

2008-10-14T09:00:00.000+01:00

Day 2:

Sunday 5th. Sportscity.

Up by 8.00, Andy is piling up the stacks of giveaway CD's, flyers, vinyl and press releases, they are going to use as bait for the day ahead, by 10.30, Andy and Tina are back at the Midland replenishing the tressle table and picking up the In the City programme/guide… which of course has managed to get the date wrong of The Scratch's showcase and omitted the photo that should have accompanied the 30 word biog. It's with world weariness, not disappointment we shrug, it's kind of par for the course for us, (the little details make the difference!)

Next it's rehearsal time and Ancoats finest, The Boom, Boom Rooms… Andy and Tina limp there for 11.30… set up the mics and sit and wait for the rest of the band and the aforementioned PR go-getter, Steve Whitty. John, Grim and Steve arrive around 12.45, but it isn't until around 2.00 that the Baron rolls up, having encountered horrendous weather (Manchester is amazingly gloriously sunny by the way!), Man City traffic and getting lost.

Tina at once Kidnaps Whitty and they head back off to the Midland, while the band decide which one of the 10 track set they need to drop to accommodate their two newies, Freakshow and You want the World.

An hour or so passes…

"Hold on, my phone's ringing", it's an excited Tina, "We've just met Clint (Boon ) and Charlie (Boon) getting out of a cab, just as we arrived at the Hotel". They're setting up Mrs Boon's cake stool. Sex, Cake and Rock'n' Roll! It's the new black in Manchester… "We're havin a cup of tea out of fine bone china, a home made cake and we've got Clint, DJing on two mini, portable antique turntables! … Oh and I've just seen John Robb… hurry up and get over here."

We didn't need to be told twice. After locking our gear in the studio and with a swift change of t-shirt and shoes in the street we set off.

On arrival at the Midland, sure enough, Clint was there, Charlie, John Robb and host of other delegates, hedgehog haired bands and balding muso types… sadly the tea urn had run dry, so it was lager and schmoozing time. Andy chatted to Charley about a possible appearance at the bands next Manchester gig in Salford on 16th October, Clint posed with the band holding one of Mrs Boons cake signs, while Tina was bending John Robb's ear about who, where why and what! (Go Teenaw GO!) A highlight of the day so far was an exclusive play of Goldblade and Poly Styrene's of (X-Ray Spex) new joint Christmas single to Andy and Tina on JR's ipod.

Grae Wall the promoter of our night (from the St.Albans Arts Council) was soon followed by Darren manager of The Culture (and former Infernal Racket DJ for who we sessioned in Feb), in saying high as we passed across the Midland's bar carpet, all too focused on our own missions to stop for breath.

As time got round to 5.30ish, Andy and the Scratch SWAT team, attended the summing up of the days events, with the amazingly busy but tireless John Robb as host… (Great work Tina for mounting the stage at the end and squeezing a CD into the palm of each of the 4 panelists... The Scratch duly, get their first mention on the official podcast!)

Everything is going well, it's bloody hectic, but no time for slacking, the only blip is Elizabeth from the BBC who Andy had approached earlier in the day re- an interview, ignoring her mobile for the rest of the evening… and the next day… (We've got your number now though lady, you don't think we're gonna give up do you?!)

Next stop is the Ruby lounge, John Kennedy is about to do a DJ set. 3 passes, 6 people, a quick flash of Andy's phone pic with Mr.Boon and a smile from Teenaw and we're in.

Quick as a lightening, Whitty is in the 'merch' bag and has already violated the DJ booth with a copy of Critical Mass. Our first direct contact with John Kennedy and subsequently our first play of a Scratch track by him (and now, no longer a Scratch virgin) Nice one Whitty!!!!

"It's Tina isn't it?" by now we've got celebs (not literally, cos that would've got us in NME at last!!!!) coming out of our ears! Thoroughly top bloke Martin Coogan (He of "Can you Dig it" , Revolution Radio DJ and now head honcho at Radio Republic fame)… tops a great day, as our entourage is now actually being noticed by the stars! Our Teenaw, the new face on the Manchester scene!

Not a bad day, Clint, Charlie, John Robb, John Kennedy and Martin Coogan. Let's bloody move to Manchester, was the cry as the cosy 6 some, gorged themselves on late, late Sunday night pizza. 2.30am looks like a good time for some shut eye. Thankfully there was no beer left in the fridge!

Part 3 to follow
x

The Scratch - In the City – Sat 4th-Mon 6th October 2008 Part 1

2008-10-14T08:57:00.001+01:00

Birthday cheers and loads more beers - The Queens' Head Box

2008-09-28T19:11:00.004+01:00

2 gigs in 2 days, yeah baby! ... Despite feeling understandably cream crackered after the excursions and uber late night on the Stella’s at The Horn... The Scratch returned to the Queens Head in Box, slightly mellower than on Friday night, but none the less focused, indeed... resplendent in the requested fancy dress for the Baron's birthday bash, Andy as Edward Scissor hands, Grim as a Teddy Boy, John as Indian man and birthday boy as a Rear Admiral... Saturday night saw the first performances of two soon to be staples. The Sleazy Glam groove of Freakshow, that instantly got the previously shy crowd up and bopping and the more straight ahead, You want the World, 2 and a half minutes of Devo meets the Undertones. These 2 gig get together's not only allow vast quantities of alcohol to be consumed, they also re-enforce the unity and versatility of the band. Let's just hope it can be carried triumphantly into next week and In the City beyond! Where the unbelievers will surely be converted to the cause!

xx

Good times come to me now, me now, me now - The Horn, we've got it!

2008-09-27T11:59:00.002+01:00

Before I begin, I don’t want to talk about the fact that though gigs by The Scratch must be well into three figures now, last night at The Horn was definitely in the top 5 of gigs the band has ever done, I don’t want to talk about the massive feeling of excitement crackling from the stage, I don’t want to talk about the ragged raw power of this the bands top 30 minute set…

What I want to talk about is the people who were there. The people who turned up in great (and greater), numbers some in Scratch t-shirts, some in their work clothes, some in their mums clothes! but all with the killer attitude of having a great night watching their favourite band. YOU GUYS WERE AMAZING. From song one (Numbers) the level of abandon and commitment to the cause of sheer enjoyment grew and grew to scarcely seen proportions in the these parts. It shows how much the band need you, our friends (it always seems OTT to say fans, but I guess you keep coming gig after gig, buying the singles wearing the t-shirts, you must be fans I guess, well the feeling goes both ways, if you’re fans of us. We’re BIG fans of you!)

The gig was a warm up for the mega potential important In the City showcase in Manchester on Monday 6th October. Much inter band camaraderie was in evidence with the excellent/eccentric Molotov’s, so all boads well for a riot in the
Heart of Manc land next week.

The Horn a venue that has just won small venue of the year, is being steered back into the realms of the good old days (Not with Billy Dainty!), but the days when St.Albans and Herts bands had the weekend spots and there was a great buzz about the cities scene, it’s been 15 years in coming, but it looks like promoter Hansi, is getting things back to how they should be, ‘cos however worthy and in a lot of cases proficient tribute acts and cover bands can be, it’s original music that is the life blood. There is talk of a possible bi-monthly residency for The Scratch next year, and on last nights evidence, exciting times of rammed local nights could well be just around the corner. Tell your friends, your foes and your fans, we’re scene building and ’09 is the place to see it and be it!

If The Scratch can harness even half of the magic fairy dust that they had sprinkled on them last night, the long awaited breakthrough can’t surely be far away. A night of oneness abounded. We are ecstatic. Massive thanks and big highs to those of you also who saw us for the first time and were brandishing Cd’s in the bar after and a big high to Michael, we see you their next time mate, don’t for get to get in touch. “Rock’n’Roll, mate, “Rock’n’Roll!”

The last words have to go to you though, you guys are the electricity that powers this Frankenstein beast! Tell your friends, the more support the more exciting this journey will be.

Tina you’re a star.

BIG love.
The Scratch
xxxxxxx

Huge Davenport and CRMK.co.uk effect!

2008-09-04T12:23:00.000+01:00

How John remembered where to go is still a mystery... but he did and on arrival at CRMK.co.uk, the dynamic duo of Andy and he, were greeted once more by the star of the show resplendent in Batman t-shirt, Hugh Davenport. Hugh wasn't feeling himself tonight... on account of getting chilly up the bloody tower!? (ok ok, enuff carry on film dialogue), but he really had caught a chill in London the previous night. In light of no Grim (sunning himself with friends in St.Tropez, whilst flicking through musical perfection weekly)... tonight was pure chat. We began with discussing, New single Girls World, which Hugh duly played (twice in fact), b-side Sweet Surprise and previous single Critical Mass, before 'scatter gunning' between subjects as diverse as The Nationwide BPI Brits Music award thing... to which Northern line tube stations certain bands has written songs about. It was great fun. So good in fact that Andy and John stayed for the second hour too, helping to keep Mr.D on track!

The original plan had been to see Hugh again and publicise Girls World, but it ended with the uber bonus of an offer of a special Scratch show in the new year, where we pick the tracks and Hugh spins the wax!, so we’ll keep you guys posted... Big thanks and hope to see you in November in St.Albans mate. Hope the chill improves... work on the air drumming and we'll let you know then!

And finally, a word to the worldwideweb.

To all of you in internet land, if you're sick of the usual playlisted bowlox on your evening radio, you could do a lot worse than tune into crmk.co.uk - Hugh is an old skool DJ with a truly eclectic plectrum, off the wall and round the back by the bike sheds... we won’t mention that he played Queen once… don’t worry, your secret is safe with us mate!

Thanks for a great night.

xx

BOX ROCKS!

2008-08-29T11:11:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Monday saw the release of Girls World as you know and what better than to gig on release day, well, in a word festival!... so that's what we did in the seemingly perenailly grey but picturesque village of Box. In it's 15th year we were really chuffed at being given the main support slot at the Box Rocks charity festival, having wowed organiser and owner of the Queen's Head pub, Dean back in March, when we recorded our Critical Mass video. The venue was the car park, which was given over to a huge lorry trailer that made for an impressive stage. 10 bands, 8 or 9 of which were covers, made for a good atmosphere, however as 'Strange 4Play' kicked things off, it took the locals (with a few biker lady exceptions in Scratch t-shirts!) a few minutes to adjust their ears to the unfamiliar trackage. Gradually though, song by song, new converts emerged, (despite Andy playing the 'Numbers' intro in the wrong key), the whole crowd focus was by now stage wise. A storming I relax to spiral scratch got the bums really wiggling, as the set built to a resounding anthemic 'Independent Unrepentant' and all parties seemed plenty pleased with the days events! Thanks again to Dean and Crew for their ace organising and hope the charity made a good few quid in the process. Looking at a lot of the departing crowd, it appeared that beer sales had certainly side stepped the credit crunch! ... This weeks little drama, as there is always a drama with The Scratch as you know! saw The Baron somehow manage to dislocate/break some fingers and possibly a toe on the way... (but doesn't he always try and have the last laugh!) We'll be back in month for his birthday... so rest those digits Ronaldo!

The Scratch
x

Purple Turtle, A passionate review from the Trousers

2008-08-20T23:14:00.001+01:00

Listen, I'm not sure what's going on in this cruel crap world anymore, if I ever did, but the only true feeling of love, family excluded, is the love of the wonderful people who turn out to see The Scratch. It's Wednesday, there's a threatened tube strike AGAIN, Lazy overpaid, dispassionate EN-GER-LAND are playing, and it's frickin' raining AGAIN!!!! But, Bloody BUT!!!!!!… The Scratch are playing once again to their mighty and loyal following…we know them and we love them ALL. Tonights set fairly bristled with passion, humour and catchy as ebola songs like GIRLS WORLD, CRITICAL MASS AND DEAR MANIAC. The applause was from the heart, it was BIG love from both sides. It wasn't shoe gazing, corporate, skinny jeaned, heat magazined heroin chic'd KOOL… it was a fookin night out with yer mates.

BIG love
David T.
X

Payney speaks to Andy on rock247 online

2008-08-19T12:41:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

In case you missed it, a big thanks to Payney on www.rock247online.co.uk/ for the interview with Andy, where amongst other things they discussed The Prodigy’s sleeve artwork, gigs in the Midlands (we should do some), Tiffany (again!) and Erotomaniac’s … Payney began by playing Critical Mass, followed by Dear Maniac and then both sides of the new single.

Really appreciate the support mate.

The Scratch
x

Sun, drying mud, Showtime!!!! The Scratch at Endorse IT Part 2!

2008-08-10T16:53:00.003+01:00

Welcome to part 2... Sunday August 10th 2008. The day of reckoning.

A broken nights sleep punctuated by stumbling ravers, wee wee desperados and cavernous snoring, soon disappeared to be greeted by, would you believe it SUN!…. glorious 7.30 am sunshine. Time for a cup of tea and at least one more dose of 'agent orange' in the portaloo!

It was now 3 hours and 15 minutes until we were due backstage for the final countdown to Showtime. Andy and The Baron strode off leaving the other sleeping beauties to come to in their own achy and slightly damp way… (once again I refer you to euphemism!)… Slightly fuzzy heads were dispelled by the third cup of free tea and excitement began to firmly take a foot(squelch)hold… It was soon 10.30, just as the band reached the cars to pick up their 'axes' Andy received a call saying Nick and Rosie were currently on the M4, with kids, rushing back to try and catch the show! In doing so re-enacting the final scene from Bram Stokers Dracula movie (the one Keanu ruined), question was, would they make it!

Meanwhile Tina had met up with Sam and Raj and they were taking up their photography and video positions as the band de-wellied at the steps to the stage and were introduced to Daisy the stage manager. Despite much care The Scratch's black and white (and of course Red Baron) attire had today taken on a certain subtle brown spottiness from the sticky 'gloop' all around… but at least the stage was dry… in fact under the lights it was positively tropical!…

Hobo Jones and the Junkyard dogs who seemed to be doing a set every 35 minutes throughout the weekend kicked off proceedings on the main JC stage, and assembled a pretty decent sized, slightly damp, bleary eyed throng infront of them.

Then it was our turn. Introduced on stage by the impressively affro'd Rueben. It was clear that many of the bands at Endorse IT were back for their second or third stint and as you looked out from the stage you could see why. It was a really well laid out/thought out festival with the potential of becoming one of the best… It was also clear that The Scratch, all Marshall amped up for the day were going to relish the moment. It has to be noted that like all other outdoor dates that the band have done in glorious blighty, the weather has always been wet until and this was no exception… The Scratch take the stage and the sun comes out! As if the Gods are smiling and trying to help propel us into the hearts of the masses…

or not…?!?

Smashing through into the Dorset Midday with Strange 4Play the time for talking was done… Sunday as we had just found out was ladies day at Endorse it, (like most things at this festival something that had just got out of hand and grown from a previous years jappery and stuck!)… anyway 'Girls World' was dedicated to the these guy/girls to much twittering and skirt lifting (if you've not seen the Girls World video yet, you'll know of The Scratch's sympathy for this particular 'art form'!)… if you haven't you must and tell all your mates!!!!

The appropriate 'Pooh (Bear) Destroyed by the look of love' was next and then Andy paid tribute to the Buzzcocks before they launched into one of the highlights of the set *'I Relax to Spiral Scratch'… The crowd was by now beginning to gather in size and appreciation as 'Against the Grain (Who Ray?)' and probably song of the set 'Critical Mass' rocked, funked and punked in the sunshine, (still no sign of Nick though!)… 'Dear Maniac' wobbled slightly as a stick slip at a crucial moment caused a discordant white noise interlude (hey good band name!)… But not many, if any noticed…and then it was straight into 'Smell the Gas Taps' before thanking all assembled and catapulting into DIY anthem 'Independent Unrepentant'. 40 minutes had gone in a blur!.. some very encouraging words rang in buzzing ears as we left the stage with talk of next year and later slots already being bandied around.

And so that was that, The Scratch's debut at Endorse it, in Dorset. All that remains is to say a huge thanks to Lamma Maund the organiser for inviting us to play, we sincerely hope to be asked back again please. From the tractor driver to the guy who pulled us off… (No stop it now!) ...the site in his Landrover as we left…to the soundman and the bar staff, everyone was extremely hospitable and friendly and we'd recommend Endorse IT, in Dorset to anyone… just don't forget yer wellies!!

Finally and I know you'll be dying to know, did Van Helsing save the day… alas no!… as we came off stage once more wellied up, our gaggle of heroes and heroines were waiting to speak to us… they'd just got back on site as we finished!

The very last set of thanks then goes out to Nick and family for their 7 hours of driving to still not see us, Sam and Raj, stylish as ever (can't wait to see the photos) and especially Superstar Tina for hanging out with the big boys… and The Scratch… if there once was a call of duty… there needs to be a new more fitting phrase now!

…. Reality soon dawned as we wended our way back passed 'Strawberry Sauce' and 'Nether Wallop' (one of those villages is real!), only to spend nearly 2 hours on the M25, but our spirits and souls could no longer be dampened.

If you missed this weekend and would like to be a part of The Scratch saga come and see our next festival date on bank holiday Monday in Box nr Bath at the Box Rocks festival, we're on stage at 8.30pm (which is also the day that our Girls World single will be released too!) … hopefully catch you at the Purple Turtle on Weds 20th August and we can compare welly boot prices in preparation!

Love, Squelches and Kisses
The Scratch
xx

The Scratch - In the City 2008 - a bands eye view!

2008-08-10T11:18:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

The only way I can possibly think about writing this up, is by splitting it into 3 days.
As per usual it is a tale of Euphoria, Heartache, sore feet, sore throats, frantic energy, high octane performance and of course vermin!

Day 1 - Saturday 4th: Watford Junction

Andy gets the train, to rendevous with the newly twisted knee’d Teenaw, Manager, Hotelier, Drinker and all round Super woman!

Inside knowledge and a hefty pile of CD’s mean barely 90 minutes from arriving at Manchester Piccadilly, the dynamic duo are at the impressive Midland Hotel, there’s a line of tressle tables in the large reception hall, a place that over the course of this long weekend, will become the centre of everyone’s universe. It was just starting to be populated with flyers and the kind of shiny merchandise band’s design in the hope of mesmerising the dignitaries, liggers and general delegate hangers on, who have the power to be able to elevate the latest three chord wonders to Oasis and Arctic Monkey style prowess, with a simple nod of a head to the right person at their label.

Getting on In the City, is a bit like being a starving lion (the bands), locked in a glass cage, surrounded by a herd upon herd of juicy wilderbeast, all dressed in masquerade ball masks (the people in the know) roaming tantalisingly just outside the locked door.

Though Manchester is a proper music city, where true giants of the industry actually dare to mix, laugh and enthuse with the great unwashed masses (there’s no-way you could get an event like this in uptight London)… the rule that “it ain’t what you know it’s who you know” is still all too annoyingly applicable… The only way to get noticed as John Robb said to us, is you need to be “big bold and brash”. Luckily for The Scratch, the ‘dream team’ of Tina and Steve ‘not a skinny Zane Lowe look-a-like thanks very much’ Whittaker, are masters of the art.

Prior to the Midland, Andy and Tina had visited Tina’s mate Lisa’s house for a pre birthday party drink… by 7.30, Andy was sitting in front of a can of Cider, a glass of Champagne and an Aftershock… Thus, on leaving the Midland, they were buzzing and our Tina was already on the blagging trail, getting them into One Central for free on the premise of sussing the venue out for Monday nights gig.

Day 1 (Well half a day really) ended around 2am ish… with appetite for the task ahead, well and truly whetted.

Day 2:

Sunday 5th. Sportscity.

Up by 8.00, Andy is piling up the stacks of giveaway CD’s, flyers, vinyl and press releases, they are going to use as bait for the day ahead, by 10.30, Andy and Tina are back at the Midland replenishing the tressle table and picking up the In the City programme/guide… which of course has managed to get the date wrong of The Scratch’s showcase and omitted the photo that should have accompanied the 30 word biog. It’s with world weariness, not disappointment we shrug, it’s kind of par for the course for us, (the little details make the difference!)

Next it’s rehearsal time and Ancoats finest, The Boom, Boom Rooms… Andy and Tina limp there for 11.30… set up the mics and sit and wait for the rest of the band and the aforementioned PR go-getter, Steve Whitty. John, Grim and Steve arrive around 12.45, but it isn’t until around 2.00 that the Baron rolls up, having encountered horrendous weather (Manchester is amazingly gloriously sunny by the way!), Man City traffic and getting lost.

Tina at once Kidnaps Whitty and they head back off to the Midland, while the band decide which one of the 10 track set they need to drop to accommodate their two newies, Freakshow and You want the World.

An hour or so passes…

“Hold on, my phone’s ringing”, it’s an excited Tina, “We’ve just met Clint (Boon ) and Charlie (Boon) getting out of a cab, just as we arrived at the Hotel”. They’re setting up Mrs Boon’s cake stool. Sex, Cake and Rock’n’ Roll! It’s the new black in Manchester… “We’re havin a cup of tea out of fine bone china, a home made cake and we’ve got Clint, DJing on two mini, portable antique turntables! … Oh and I’ve just seen John Robb… hurry up and get over here.”

We didn’t need to be told twice. After locking our gear in the studio and with a swift change of t-shirt and shoes in the street we set off.

On arrival at the Midland, sure enough, Clint was there, Charlie, John Robb and host of other delegates, hedgehog haired bands and balding muso types… sadly the tea urn had run dry, so it was lager and schmoozing time. Andy chatted to Charley about a possible appearance at the bands next Manchester gig in Salford on 16th October, Clint posed with the band holding one of Mrs Boons cake signs, while Tina was bending John Robb’s ear about who, where why and what! (Go Teenaw GO!) A highlight of the day so far was an exclusive play of Goldblade and Poly Styrene’s of (X-Ray Spex) new joint Christmas single to Andy and Tina on JR’s ipod.

Grae Wall the promoter of our night (from the St.Albans Arts Council) was soon followed by Darren manager of The Culture (and former Infernal Racket DJ for who we sessioned in Feb), in saying high as we passed across the Midland’s bar carpet, all too focused on our own missions to stop for breath.

As time got round to 5.30ish, Andy and the Scratch SWAT team, attended the summing up of the days events, with the amazingly busy but tireless John Robb as host… (Great work Tina for mounting the stage at the end and squeezing a CD into the palm of each of the 4 panelists... The Scratch duly, get their first mention on the official podcast!)

Everything is going well, it’s bloody hectic, but no time for slacking, the only blip is Elizabeth from the BBC who Andy had approached earlier in the day re- an interview, ignoring her mobile for the rest of the evening… and the next day… (We’ve got your number now though lady, you don’t think we’re gonna give up do you?!)

Next stop is the Ruby lounge, John Kennedy is about to do a DJ set. 3 passes, 6 people, a quick flash of Andy’s phone pic with Mr.Boon and a smile from Teenaw and we’re in.

Quick as a lightening, Whitty is in the ‘merch’ bag and has already violated the DJ booth with a copy of Critical Mass. Our first direct contact with John Kennedy and subsequently our first play of a Scratch track by him (and now, no longer a Scratch virgin) Nice one Whitty!!!!

“It’s Tina isn’t it?” by now we’ve got celebs (not literally, cos that would’ve got us in NME at last!!!!) coming out of our ears! Thoroughly top bloke Martin Coogan (He of “Can you Dig it” , Revolution Radio DJ and now head honcho at Radio Republic fame)… tops a great day, as our entourage is now actually being noticed by the stars! Our Teenaw, the new face on the Manchester scene!

Not a bad day, Clint, Charlie, John Robb, John Kennedy and Martin Coogan. Let’s bloody move to Manchester, was the cry as the cosy 6 some, gorged themselves on late, late Sunday night pizza. 2.30am looks like a good time for some shut eye. Thankfully there was no beer left in the fridge!

Day 3: The Final Conflict. Monday 6th October. Day of the Rat!

Eye bags are on the increase… an ASDA breakfast is sure to help!... Up by 8, out by 10 but not before Whitty eats three times his body weight in ‘fry up’. We stride into the Midland by 11.15, following 20 minutes of blanket flyer action on the street outside the massive Manchester University. Now it’s time for our noon interview with Ross, Tarquin and Juliette of Big Multimedia at The Tiger Lounge, for 15 minutes of TV interview fame on their soon to be launched IPTV Channel. Good luck and yes John (the Baron’s new mate from Durham, they speak the same lingo you know man!) we’re well up for a gig when things get off the ground.

Soon back at HQ, table replenishment 407 is completed, followed by a mild panic as The Scratch say hi to The Molotovs (a band they had met last week at the Horn gig in St.Albans), when a ginger haired bloke is mistaken for Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens … not sure what he’ll do with the 5 cds 3 biogs and 38 flyers? Still Xmas presents are sorted I guess?

Now it’s off to Salford Uni for more of the same street team action, while incorporating a quick visit to the Pint Pot (scene of our 16th October date).

The clock though is starting to tick very rapidly and there is a palpable lull in energy levels. Tina and Steve decide to hang out at the Midland, while the band go back to change for the final push!

As the make up is being trowelled on at the flat, Tina’s sends a rapid volley of Text’s Hooky’s got a CD, Andy Rourke’s got one AND John Robb, has agreed to bring Goldblade to The Horn in St.Albans for a gig!!!! “And now Whitty’s chasing John Kennedy with a copy of Night Bus or Milk Train!”

As you know Scratch fans we are consummately professional and are NEVER late for soundchecks (as uncool as that may sound), we keep up our record at One Central only to be tutted at on arrival, as we are informed we only have 20 minutes left… (don’t worry, it’ll only take a pro 5 minutes darlin!!!) … despite a slight technical hitch with a footswitch, the sound generally is very good ala Manchester, leaving us the time for one last Tressle table drop and then it’s showtime.

Friends begin to arrive at the Hotel, Lucy and Clod, Mark (Tina told you it would be worth it mate!), Colleen, Super cool Sam, Merrily and a growing bunch of the curious, brilliant and brow beaten. *The guy (sorry can’t remember your name) who was doing the Wii guitar hero in the basement of the Midland, promised to be there, JR’s seminar ruled him out, but Tony and Denise of our PR company Manilla had just arrived and were up for their first full Scratch set!

Like dynamite, Numbers exploded into life and things never let up from there… Freakshow, You want the world, I Relax to Spiral Scratch, Against the Grain, the intensity never dropped, it was as though all the anticipation of the last 2 days had been distilled into one crazed demonic cocktail. As * said, as the final chord of Dear Maniac sang into the ether, “that’s the liveliest show of the whole weekend”, big thanks to all those who took the time, thanks to Mr.Coogan who snuck in, in time to leave an informed note on Tina’s myspace today (the day after) saying how we rocked. Thanks we appreciate the time you all took to come along.

And, so that was it, In the City 2008, all that effort from Tina and Steve had culminated in the band delivering in equal measure for them, in our eyes the two real heroes of the weekend. (Big thanks to Paul for making the journey and wearing the tee btw).

All that was left now was for a wind down beer, before the long drive back to St.Albans… there was a mild whiff on anti climax in the air as I’m sure you could imagine, it had been an intense affair. However there was one last Scratch on tour gem to tell you about.

A reflective Andy and Whitty, are sat down at the table we had populated since the gig and have become emersed in conversation about what was next, and how Steve could force John Kennedy to offer The Scratch a session, when suddenly Andy jumped up going “Er , what’s that!, er aghh”… bewildered Steve looked on as in the style of frightened school girl Andy is shrieking “Er, get it off me” he promptly drops his trousers to his knees shaking booty violently! It turns out that while Steve and Andy chatted, Steve had felt something brush past his foot… just seconds before a RAT RUNS UP ANDY’S TROUSER LEG, ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP TO HIS RAPIDLY CONTRACTING BACKSIDE!… looking presumably for a way out! “Thank God I wasn’t going Commando! As it was, despite only having a couple of pints, I had ended the night well and truly ‘Rat Arsed!”

“It ain’t rockin roll and I don’t like it, like it no I don’t.”

It could only happen to our band…

Wow what a weekend, what a bizarre end and so as all fairy tales end, we got our record deal and lived happily ever after… well, that was the dream Andy was having as he, Grim and Whitty were chauffered back down the motorway by John, for another 2 o’clock finale… but this time it was bloody work in the morning. Who says life on the road ain’t glamourous! Thanks to the lead singer of the band who followed the Underground Verulam showcase (The one we’d opened), who dedicated their first song to the man who had the rat in his trousers!

The extra special thanks however goes to Clint (really touched that you put us in your top 10 tips for the weekend on the offical site mate!), Charley (Hopefully see you in Salford on 16th for a spot of afternoon tea), Supercharged John Robb (let’s get this gig sorted at the Horn mate), Martin Coogan (great to meet you at last), Grae at the St.Albans Arts Council, (for this great opportunity… looking forward to Trashville in November) …and as we’ve said before the true stars of this weekend Steve (I’m gonna get that Kennedy session Whittaker) and the amazing Tina, we love you.

Apologies to anyones names we’ve forgotten or not mention, total recall after a weekend like that, just ain’t gonna happen anymore.

We’re already anticipating next year’s later, more prominent spot! Safe in the knowledge that team Scratch could not have done anymore to get our name across to the great and good (and evil) of the music elite.

Next stop Tea and cake down Salford Way!

One question remains however… Where did lager magnet The Baron get that case of Red Stripe he was carrying around all of Monday by the way?
xx

Mud, Mud glorious Festival Mud. The Scratch at Endorse IT part 1!

2008-08-09T02:00:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

And so here is the merry tale of The Scratch and The Endorse IT festival weekend.

The idea was to set off early, rehearse at The Baron’s (well in The Queens Head pub in the village, thanks Dean btw) and then drive to the festival, set up camp by about 6pm, go and watch the Buzzcocks and have a couple of beers. Just to get in the mood for the High noon showdown on Sunday.

Saturday 9th August 2008.

At 10am John, Andy and super Tina (PR, manager, video-er and blagger extraordinaire) from St.Albans, and Grim from London took the road west. The sun was out and there was a crackle of excitement in the air. We had been anxiously watching the forecast for weeks, but as it seems to change by the hour these days, we kind of just hoped. The forecast though for Saturday was wet. Not the best, particularly for Andy who had been suffering from a heavy cold and was still ‘very twisty bugled up’ and the Baron weighing in with a bronchial infection… Grim to everyone’s shock was nearly healthy!… John, just to round off the sp was farting… a lot…

The Journey to Box (Baronville) only took a couple and a half hours, but by the time we’d arrived the sun had turned to dreaded rain (not that it had ever done anything else when we’d ever been to this most green and pleasant part of the West Country!)

We were soon set-up in the familiar backroom of the Pub and proceeded to blast away the car bound rustiness… it was great to be playing again!…

The first run through wasn’t too bad, a bit of coughing and croakiness from the vocal side and The Baron ‘tinging’ his Chinese cymbal at EVERY opportunity (no that’s not a euphemism matron!)… it was during the 'fag break' however that things started to get ‘interesting’ news had just arrived from the East, from Andy’s brother Nick, who, with wife Rosie and daughters Indie (rock) and Boo McManus the disco cat, had already arrived at the festival site and reported that, at the VERY LEAST wellies and waterproofs would be required, but if it got much worse, the life guard would have to be informed!…The rain was torrential.

Once the second set was complete, it was time for a detour before we made our way to Endorse IT. It came in the shape of Focus… (Can’t remember are they the DIY arm of WHSmiths??, anyway doesn’t matter)… This was to be the scene of the first memorable moment of the weekend… oh apart from the sight of ‘City dweller’ Grim, squealing like a girl at the sight of a luminous squidgy orange wormy thing on the path outside chez Baron, (it turned out to be a slug!)… but I digress. The first real memorable moment is The Scratch spending their entire £50 weekend appearance money on 4 pairs of green wellies and 2 rolls of ‘essential’ black bin bags!!! A final a quick stop for food supplies at Sainsburys and we were finally on the road to festival fun!…

Tucked away, seemingly miles from anywhere, not least as Grim’s Sat(crap)Nav was starting to find smaller and smaller thinner and thinner farm tracks to drive down! We finally spied the Endorse IT festival’s rain lashed and windswept entrance as the clock ticked just past 6.00pm. The deep, deep tyre tracks already told the story as Tina began her first blag as a guest, collecting the sparkly wrist bands, and securing a nice camping spot with the band by the bins!

This preceded, first John’s car being towed from the gully between backstage camping and the car park/pond by a tractor and, more trickily, Grim's (that seemed to have no visible towing facility), resulting in the Baron passing most of the bands equipment over an 8 foot fence to John and Andy, but not before (despite being warned) picking up the merchandise box upside down and ‘showering’ the muddy pool with our precious Critical Mass CD’s!.. Finally the day was saved by a hay bail wielding JCB that ended up pushing Grims car back up the hill and into the backstage camping area… where the fun was really about to begin…

Tina’s £5 Asda tent, went up in seconds… Hovever, The Baron’s borrowed £99.99 Halfords version was proving more of an issue, at times resembling a wind surfers sail more than a tent, it took 4 people clinging on and a ‘tent pegger’ to secure the beast before the inner section and the eye bulging lilo blowing up (There was more than one casualty of Airbed eye!) could conclude this Kryton Factoresque marathon!…

Just as the final bung was pushed into the final hole… Nick phoned to say that as they had the kids who were by now understandably miserable… they were going to reluctantly have to head home to St.Albans…But as in the story of Life and Death, one departs and another is born and so into the story we introduce Sam and Raj, who had just been towed into the car park and were looking for the campsite.

In the backstage area things were still very wet, but at least the tents, though swaying quite violently, were up and it was at last time for a well-earned beer. A five minute squelchy walk later and the welcome sight of merrily staggering, muddied and colourful hatted, cider jug wielding 'Crusties' came sprawling from the beer tent to great us, to the cool reggae skank, chug of the Ska-lites…. It looked like we had some catching up to do!

Not sure what Cider Tina had for her first drink, but she seemed to be assimilating well! Sam and Raj joined us around 9 after Raj had managed to prize his muddy contact lens from behind his eye!!! Ouch!…

By the time the Buzzcocks took to the stage just before 11.00 The rain and mud were beginning fade into after thoughts. The bin liner skirts and wellies had won the day… as too had the ‘Buzzers’ who having seen them on many occasions in the past were on sparkling form. The Diggle 'wiggle' and triumphant 'Townsend arm wheels' along with Shelley’s fantastic vocals and delivery took on majestic tones as they crashed through all the classics, but also not oft played gems like, 'Breakdown' from their seminal Spiral Scratch ep (we know a song about that one don’t we Geoffrey!*) Our Endorse IT festival had really kicked off.

Sam and Raj decided to hit the hay (well it is a farm!)… So Team Tina hit backstage hospitality and the great Endorse IT bus bar!… Andy meanwhile ran off to find The ‘Buzzers’ as they left the stage and to finally shake the great men’s hands (PSWH?) while they squelched through the mud with carrier bags encasing their 600 hundred quid shoes … it was a moment of true catharsis, 17 after years after the purchase of the amazing Singles Going Steady album!… The others had hit the bar following a quick visit to the hospitality tent to hand in set lists and collect our food and drink vouchers for the following day.

Around 1.30, we were beginning to flag, it was time for bed, John favoured the car over Grims thunderous snoring…while the ill boys ‘topped and tailed’, bouncy castle stylee on the other muddy lilo! I bet the Buzzcocks were laying into the hotel mini bar by now?

Can't wait for high Noon!

Squelch you later!
xx

August awaits!!!!!

2008-08-06T10:43:00.003+01:00

Dear Scratchers...

Less than a week to go now before Endorse It... we've got to say before we say anything else a huge thanks to all those of you who have once again gone above and beyond the call of duty and bought tickets to see us on Sunday. Excitement is building, it feels like a long time away from gigging ... at least with the onset of August things are ramping up... don't forget that those of you who can't make Endorse it, can see us live at the Purple Turtle on Weds 20th August. We've gone for an early slot as a warm for our Box Rocks festival date on August bank holiday, so don't be late as we're on at 8pm sharp.

Here's the latest review from Die Shellsuit, Die! review, which very kindly includes a grammar lesun!?

A Big thanks to Gray Thomas for his review and lesson in The Scratch's lack of gramaticKal abillity... (well Andy's to be exact...)

The Scratch
"Girls World (Single)"
We rate this: 8 out of 10
Readers rate this: 9 out of 10

Jangling its way through July is the bright summer sound of The Scratch and 'Girls World' is an ideal tune for the annual roadtrip to Newquay. Firstly though, and I do feel I have to mention it, I have not omitted the apostrophe required in the record's title. The Scratch did. And it's not a misprint, it's all over their website and myspace and it is very annoying. Despite this, I can't help but like the tune and long before the thirty second mark I found myself rhythmically nodding and foot-tapping like an idiot. But it is the second song 'Sweet Surprise' that I really like. At only 103 seconds long, it gets straight to the point with some impressive vocal techniques and a Clash-esque guitar attack that I defy anyone to ignore.

Wicked.

Appreciate it mate. Hope to meet up with you all on Sunday after high noon for a celebratory and hopefully sunny beer. If not... see you down the Turtle for an afterwork loosener!
x

The vinyl hath landed

2008-07-23T08:31:00.003+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Just a quick update to let you that the beautiful new deep pink ltd edition vinyl has arrived at Ponyland HQ in anticipation for the release of Girls World in August (25th), in addition to the CD and download versions the 7" is also going to be stocked around the country in the following record stores from the release date, Rough Trade shops, Pure Groove, Sister Ray, Selectadisc, Piccadilly, Jumbo, Crash, Jacks, Spillers, Reflex, Action, Avalanche, Norman Records and on our website for £2.99, so make a note of the date and get yourself down to the shops while stocks last (remember it is strictly limited edition!!!

Thanks again for all your support and don't forget your Endorse IT tickets are on sale now!

www.lgofestivals.com

xx

The Scratch - Single - Girls World - Toxic Pete Review

2008-07-14T11:30:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Here's the first review for our forthcoming single...

Can't seem to do anything wrong!! Everything's so ass-kickin' punchy and bloody commercial. Who else then but The Scratch? This is The Scratch's latest single release, 'Girls World'; yet another fine and fulsome piece of Scratch rockin' balls, yet another chunk of attitudinal Scratch punk, yet another piece of Scratch power pop. Put it on, max it out, jump in the mosh pit and let fly - The Scratch should carry a Government Health Warning; 'Beware - dangerous attitude ahead - either rock out or rock off!!'

These guys seem to be on a real roll at the moment; The Scratch just keep on churnin' out more and more of this high quality, high octane rockin' pop and they don't seem able to put a foot wrong!! The term 'prolific' doesn't say enough about this outfit's musical productivity and The Scratch have a natural youthful energy that seems to feed their creative hunger. Here they've done it again; they blast headlong through 'Girls World' and leave massive holes through the ether in their wake. Not enough for The Scratch that they've gone and done it again with a great 'a' side - they then give you an equally aggressive 'b' side in 'Sweet Surprise' - the guys are on fuckin' fire!
'Girls World' by The Scratch is power-pop for 'now', power-pop for the future - power-pop for anytime, anyplace, anybody - totally rockin' massively catchy, impressively executed - wow The Scratch can get it on!! Aint that the truth!!
Peter J Brown aka toxic pete (www.toxicpete.co.uk)

Once again, thanks a lot Pete for your support!
x

It’s a Girls Girls Girls Girls World!

2008-07-14T11:26:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Saturday, saw filming for the video of the bands forthcoming single girls world, the first brand new material to be released since Night Bus or Milk Train…

As you will see from the forthcoming photos … a lot of fun, chaos and mayhem insued as Grim took the lead role of producer ably assisted by host for the day John…
It's amazing how much footage of blokes in their mums dresses is needed for a 2 and a half minute video… thanks to Sarah, Rhian, Lily, Leo and Tigerlily for their assistance/toys/bedroom/makeup and in some cases staring roles and Andy's mum for the dresses … It has to be said The Baron was really on form and lot more sober than normal… although some of his acting did have a certain 'woodenness' to it!...

The single is released at the end of August check here for dates and you'll be the first guys to see the video…

xx

In the studio ...

2008-06-19T15:04:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

As promised here's the lowdown on last weeks recording session in sunny St.Albans... The previous visit to Unsigned studios in February yielded some sure fire 'solid' album matter for the next album (in progress as we speak... that's not the name by the way...) but this time hopes were high as at least 2 of the 4 tracks have been earmarked under the 'high single potential' category...

Track 1 (in no order, here's a rough idea, how we think they are sounding so far.) was 'Against the Grain' a track that most of you will know live as Who Ray?, which has been given an even bigger souped up pounding rock feel... track 2 'Freakshow' this one is a slow sleazer more in the vein of Stranger from NBOMT... think T.Rex meets, Queens of the Stone Age, jamming with the Dandy Warhols... track 3 'You want the world' has Undertones, Killing Joke and twist of Devo.. Shane the studio engineer thought Graham Coxon too for good measure... and track 4 'Look of the Century' the only one as yet without a verse vocal...is by The Scratch's standards an epic at nearly 4 minutes... but contains a chorus, that will hopefully be all the rage in festival season 09!

Big thanks to Shane for his expertise, patience and input...

We shan't be giving away any more details of album 3 yet, suffice to say, it;s taking very good shape...

Watchout for the newies at a festival near you this summer!
xx

In the studio

2008-06-13T09:47:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Just a quick update to let you know that despite the lull in our gigging schedule... we haven't been idle. The Band have been practising hard in preparation for our return to Unsigned studios in St,Albans this weekend, where we are aiming to record live fave Who Ray? and three new tracks for our next album... whilst we won't be giving anything away until after they are recorded, it's fair to say we are excited that all of the tracks have single potential!... so watch this space! For more studio news...

xx

Grim tames the tiger at a record breaking show!

2008-05-17T09:56:00.002+01:00

This The Scratch’s debut at the Bullet Bar Camden proved to be worth all the hype on a definite record breaking night of blood, sweat and cheers!

The sweat was due to the volume of people crammed into the venue, brandishing Scratch flyers, The cheers, were absolutely heartfelt and growing in intensity with each new song and the blood… well Grim who had been wielding his ‘axe’ throughout in true Jini Hendrix stylee throughout another adrenalin fueled show decided to take exception to Andy’s Tiger print coat thinking in his frenzied ‘steam glassied’ state, that the frontman was infact a nine foot Bengal big cat leaping towards him, so in a self defence flailed his beloved ‘Colonel Mustard’ guitar and crashed a glancing blow across ‘tigerman’s’ forehead precipitating a torrent of ‘claret’ to gush across the surrounding area (Ozzy eat yer heart out!)….But I digress…

As previously described the set was fast and furious, John and The Baron pumping behind the flourishing Grizzla and pole sliding ‘tigerman’ … The band had decided for this one that the set would take on a more ‘greatest hits’ feel by way of a thank you to the hardcore loyal ‘fans’ who had been in attendance at gigs way before the dawn of time!!!

Things kicked off with the ‘seminal’ ‘Numbers’, then the super ‘Wots Hot and Wots Rot’ girls got some ‘Strange 4pLay’, before a rapid fire ‘Destroyed by the Look of Love’ and Girls World, hips were swaying and toes were a tappin’, next Lucy got a dedication for her much requested ‘Fakers’… Independent Unrepentant (surely an anthem in the wings) stepped up the heat before the resurrected ‘Sweet Surprise’ (all 1 minute 40 seconds of old skool Punk rock) nearly took the roof off! Who Ray? Really sparked the dancing off which continued unbridled until the climax of finale stormer ‘I Relax to Spiral Scratch’. Through a manic ‘Dear Maniac’, brilliantly received ‘Critical Mass’ and awesome groove fest of ‘Gas Taps’….

There are too many people to thank on such a great night… Pole writhing, behind head guitar Goddery, thumping rhythms and animal print, Scratchville has scarcely been a better place to be!!!

But the real stars of the nights Critical Mass tour pinnacle, were as ever you guys who supported us. Thanks a million,

Hopefully some of you can come and see us at Endorse IT (in Dorest) in August supporting our heroes the Buzzcocks, plus the Beat and a host of other classic acts or maybe Box Rocks, if not we’ll be back in the Autumn for more mayhem, until then keep checking the website as a follow up to Critical Mass is well on its way down the pipeline!

Next Stop XFM Wales.

Much Love
The Scratch
xx

Scratch - Critical Mass - Room 13.com review

2008-05-14T11:44:00.000+01:00

Scratch - Critical Mass

Rated 10 out of 13 [details]
by Matt Brown

‘Critical Mass’ is the latest release from The Scratch, a four piece punk rock outfit from St Albans. Over recent years releases such as ‘Night Bus or Milk Train’ and ‘Number’ have brought the band well-deserved exposure and voiced their talent further afield than ever before through live radio performances and TV. ‘Critical Mass’ is their latest release through DIY label Ponyland Records.

The first thing that has to be said about ‘Critical Mass', is that it takes today’s music scene, gives it the middle finger and turns it back. This band has no intent of making music to fit in. Funky bass lines, and crunching guitar rhythms build throughout opening track ‘Critical Mass’ and is excellently laced with pop sensibilities. Energizing rhythms and that twist of punk create a raw feeling which is essential to the band’s sound.

‘Dear Maniac’ is personally my favourite of the two tracks with its quirky guitar sound and catchy sing along chorus. The speed of the track builds up throughout creating a frenzied feel in the final moments.

The single is available through iTunes and on CD through their website and I recommend you get it if you’re a fan of raw punk anthems. If that’s your cup of tea then I guarantee this band will leave you with a grin from ear to ear.

Track Listing
01 - Critical Mass
02 - Dear Maniac

Hot Hot Hot - Mermaid St.Albans Sat 10th May

2008-05-11T15:23:00.003+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

A big thanks to all those of you brave souls who despite pressure cooker conditions in the Mermaid last night stayed for the full 24 track set... it was true that a throng was congregated in the garden area but with the doors shut and curtains drawn you can't blame 'em!... it just proves you guys, like The Scratch are hewn from sterner more enduring stuff!...

It was one of those gigs that despite having to play to the 'neighbours' wishes... (the down side of inner city pub gigs), that all of those who came and chatted afterwards, were really impressed with the sound... it was a chance to let the songs shine through rather than a London style sonic assault!...

Highlights were 'Undercover', a resurgent 'Back 210' and old but now promoted to the short list for the Endorse IT festival in August (see gig list for dates) 'Sweet Surprise'...

There were many loyal, friendly faces thanks to you guys and a special thanks to the new devotees!(???)... most especially Sian and gang and Warren and Liam... hope to at least see some of you on Friday at the Bullet Bar.

Thanks again to Katie for the gig and yes we'll be back in the autumn.

All things are falling nicely into place for the big one on Friday at the Bullet Bar... the climax to the highly successful Critical Mass tour...

Don't miss it guys... it's gonna RAWK!!!
xxx

The Scratch ‘on tour’ – but the Night belongs to The Wots Hot and Wots Rot Girls and a Big Mangina!

2008-05-09T08:51:00.003+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

On this the third booking of The Scratch at Herts Uni (formerly the Hatfield Poly). It’s about time we sent some big thanks to guys who run the show. So BIG thanks to Lee for keeping the faith, Charlotte and Ian and all crew and especially Doug ‘the Sound’ for such a great stage vollage!

The Holloways had a big bus, driven by a big guy called Tom, but Frank Turner was taller than all of the Holloways put together and Tom really rates BIG Frank!!!! BUT none of that was as BIG as the noise of Critical Mass as it came blasting from the speakers of the Font Bar’s PA system prior to the bands arrival on stage…

Despite the fact that it was exam time which is notoriously difficult to get the diligent to venture out, there was a sizeable crowd in attendance.

At this point it’s more than overdue that we mention Ciara and Dom from BBC 3 Counties Radio who as part of their ‘On tour’ feature had elected to join The Scratch for their Critical Mass tour opener. The show is being edited today and will be broadcast tonight, so listen out for what Andy has for breakfast and what a Pony Virus is!?? (Details will be on our news page later)

Thanks guys really good to meet you, some great questions. The star of the show however has to go to Sarah (Wots Hot) for plugging the band to the hilt and being promised a Bleep on the radio for a ‘rude’ word!...

With Big Jake ‘Beaver’ Mangina co-ordinating from the wings, Sir Michael 'Puff' Greenland clicking away with his zoom lens at full extension and Sam and Sarah ‘merching’ to the max resplendent in Leopard print and sequins and high cut shorts… (even without the band) the gig went a storm. Having not played live since March 23rd any fears of ring rustiness (Well there had been mention of Big holes and extensions in the run up to the gig… sorry I digress) were dispelled in an instant with an 8 track ‘greatest hits’ that the Ramones would have been proud having only clocked 22 minutes on the stage managers stop watch!

A BBC radio session and some Sassy action from the Vince girls sounds in summary to us like a really good evening... you should try it some time, it sure ain’t boring!

Next stop the Mermaid!!!!

Ps if you’re intrigued, what out for the Wots Hot and Wots Rot page coming soon to www.thescratch.co.uk … (fake) furrrrr will fly!

xxx

Voltcase Interview....

2008-04-29T10:21:00.002+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Here is the recent Voltcase interview Andy did, for your delectation...

http://www.voltcase.co.uk/Features/042008/voltcase_thescratch.htm

The Scratch
Following our review of indie-punk rockers The Scratch's album here, this month we chat with lead singer Andy Thompson about the launch of their brand spanking new single, Critical Mass, on May 5th.

VOLTCASE "THE SCRATCH" INTERVIEW:

Hello there! Welcome to Voltcase, how are things?

Very good thanks

So, how would you describe your sound to a stranger in three words?

Edgy, arty, pop.

Can you tell us a bit about this new 'Critical Mass' CD you've got coming out on next month?

It's a totally new version of a track from our album.
Chosen by popular demand from our live set. It's been described as possessing..."Dashed with a pristine power driven pop chassis." in one review... and who are we to argue?!

Playing with the likes of Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller are pretty big names to name-drop. Have you played with many bands or artists that are big influences on your music, and what were they like in 'real' life?

I guess from that Gig meeting Tim Burgess of The Charlatans was a real highlight, we're big fans of their music and the guy was really genuine and friendly and of course we can't forget Clint Boon, who has gone out of his way to champion our cause, he's absolutely revved up in the support of new music...

For anyone out there just starting out in a band, is there one piece of invaluable advice that you could give them to help them on their way?

Always laugh through the tears.

We try and expose as many 'unknown' bands as we can here at Voltcase, are there any unsigned bands that you've seen or played with that you think we should check out?

The Ambush

Any rock-star style stories that you can tell us about? Ever thrown a TV out of a hotel window, for example?

The Baron is a walking advert for the pit falls of rock star excess.
The book will make a good film.

If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask yourself? And what would the answer be?

Would you ever consider plastic surgery? Answer. No.

So, what have the Scratch got planned for the rest of the year?

After the release of Critical Mass, we've got a mini tour, then we're back in the studio recording the next single, then we've got a couple of festival dates in August, during which time we'll be recording more tracks for album 3, which we hope to release by the end of the year.

And finally, the question that we ask everyone that appears in Voltcase - what does the word 'Voltcase' mean?

Voltcase... is the term used for the secret compartment in an assassins brief case where he keeps all his ghoulish trophies.

See you chaps and chap ess's at the Uni!!

xx

www.rock247online.co.uk - I think we’re alone now? I hope not Paney!

2008-04-15T13:16:00.001+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Hopefully you just caught Andy being interviewed live on
http://www.rock247online.co.uk... a big thanks goes out to DJ Paney who was posing the questions... if you didn't get the chance to tune in, in a really good chatty interview Andy spoke a bit about the history of the band, the M.E.N, and forthcoming news, notably the Endorse IT festival which to the bands delight has had the Buzzcocks addded to it!!!! and also a range of topics from Glasto to Paney's observation that the chorus of new single Critical Mass, reminds him of Tiffany's 1988 'cheese pop classic!' 'I think we're alone now'... (now that sure brings the retro up to date a bit eh!)... and a good idea Paney, as Andy said... maybe it's mash up time!!!?? .... In addition to the interview Paney very kindly played Dear Maniac and Critical Mass. Andy and The band would like to thank Paney and www.rock247online.co.uk for their support with the single and we hope to speak again mate.

ps Andy was in the garden and where's that beer you're just going off too!?

Cheers
The Scratch
x

More Phil Orange Radio play - Dear Maniac this weekend!

2008-04-09T11:35:00.000+01:00

Dear Scratchers,

Just to let you know that Dear Maniac will be featured on the Phil Orange Show on Sat 12th April and Mon 14th April 2008

The Orange Radio Show every Saturday at 11am and Monday at 8pm (BST) on www. rivergibbsfm. com global internet radio. 2 hours of new and rare tracks from unsigned bands from around the world. Repeated throughout the week, check show times on the web-site. or check out the www. myspace. com/rivergibbsfm

Following on from a play of Erotomaniac from our DIY album last week.

Great stuff Phil thanks again mate.
x

STUNNNNNNNING! Losing Today review of Critical Mass

2008-04-01T11:39:00.000+01:00

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Dear Scratchers,

If all the hard work was summed up and legitamised in one review....

The Scratch "Critical Mass" (Ponyland). Last appearing in these very pages via their awesome 10 inch "X-Ray Eyes" (Missive 35) the follow up of course to their storming Buzzcock-ian debut "I relax to spiral scratch" (missive 26 in case you’re taking notes) though we are slightly miffed and grumbling aplenty at missing out on their full length "night bus or milk train" and the "numbers" single that they managed o squeeze out between then and now - alas though its not for us to shout the odds - the barstids. That said disagreeable muttering aside what better way to re-acquaint ourselves with St Albans finest foursome than with two spanking slabs of the - to be filed under the dogs bollocks - part of the listening section Still excavating the refined retro sounds of the 70’s "Critical Mass" is a searing slice of bad boogie all at once excitable, energetic and effervescent, laced with more hooks than a butchers walk in freezer this blistering babe swaggers, swoons and will no doubt shag your girlfriend when you back is turned such is its smouldering high impact uber coolness. Dashed with a pristine power driven pop chassis replete with licks lifted from the arse pocket of Ronson (that’ll be Mick as opposed to Mark) Critical Mass" is so blatantly out of step with current trads and trends that’s it disturbingly refreshing like some coming together fusion of New York’s Ambulance LTD and the Crimea, the Scratch are literally in a different time zone and pissing through the fence over the oncoming competition. Hell we haven’t even mentioned the oh so "Suffragette City" era Bowie references. A killer thing. Flip cut "dear maniac"€™ is even better, no fat or fillers here these kids are literally shitting transistor trouncing tunes by the hundred weight. Featuring crookedly skewif codas doused in odd art pop / new wave nuances sourced from vintage moments found on late 70’s era TOTP re-runs - think Devoto meets Pirroni but with the impish mindset of Stewart Copeland’s Klark Klent alter ego all converging to eke out a disorienting but devilishly dishy slice of awkward sonic sea sickness that possesses about its wares subtle Bolan-esque shimmies before erupting into a frenzied but mightily admirable anxiety riddled attrition lashed finale. Absolutely feckin’ essential.

stunning
mark

Mark you’re a superstar!
xxx