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
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Whatever happened last Friday night? - read on if you dare!!!
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
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
Friday, May 15, 2009
Playlist for the EP Hijack 2
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
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
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Hu(gh)ge fun as always on the EP!
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
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
Saturday, May 2, 2009
No Candy talking! ...so Andy steps in!
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
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
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Destroyed by the look of love - losingtoday.com update!
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
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
Friday, April 17, 2009
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