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
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Great new review from TSM Radio
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
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
Monday, October 19, 2009
In the City 2009...
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.
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.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fireworks as the launch party goes off with a bang!
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
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
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Clint renews his vows of love!
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
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
Friday, September 25, 2009
Freaks of the twilight - A rock opera down Milton Keynes way!
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
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
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Big thanks to Thatchers and Pirroni for a bubbly bank hols!
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
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
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