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
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