Dear Scratchers,
Here is the recent Voltcase interview Andy did, for your delectation...
http://www.voltcase.co.uk/Features/042008/voltcase_thescratch.htm
The Scratch
Following our review of indie-punk rockers The Scratch's album here, this month we chat with lead singer Andy Thompson about the launch of their brand spanking new single, Critical Mass, on May 5th.
VOLTCASE "THE SCRATCH" INTERVIEW:
Hello there! Welcome to Voltcase, how are things?
Very good thanks
So, how would you describe your sound to a stranger in three words?
Edgy, arty, pop.
Can you tell us a bit about this new 'Critical Mass' CD you've got coming out on next month?
It's a totally new version of a track from our album.
Chosen by popular demand from our live set. It's been described as possessing..."Dashed with a pristine power driven pop chassis." in one review... and who are we to argue?!
Playing with the likes of Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller are pretty big names to name-drop. Have you played with many bands or artists that are big influences on your music, and what were they like in 'real' life?
I guess from that Gig meeting Tim Burgess of The Charlatans was a real highlight, we're big fans of their music and the guy was really genuine and friendly and of course we can't forget Clint Boon, who has gone out of his way to champion our cause, he's absolutely revved up in the support of new music...
For anyone out there just starting out in a band, is there one piece of invaluable advice that you could give them to help them on their way?
Always laugh through the tears.
We try and expose as many 'unknown' bands as we can here at Voltcase, are there any unsigned bands that you've seen or played with that you think we should check out?
The Ambush
Any rock-star style stories that you can tell us about? Ever thrown a TV out of a hotel window, for example?
The Baron is a walking advert for the pit falls of rock star excess.
The book will make a good film.
If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you ask yourself? And what would the answer be?
Would you ever consider plastic surgery? Answer. No.
So, what have the Scratch got planned for the rest of the year?
After the release of Critical Mass, we've got a mini tour, then we're back in the studio recording the next single, then we've got a couple of festival dates in August, during which time we'll be recording more tracks for album 3, which we hope to release by the end of the year.
And finally, the question that we ask everyone that appears in Voltcase - what does the word 'Voltcase' mean?
Voltcase... is the term used for the secret compartment in an assassins brief case where he keeps all his ghoulish trophies.
See you chaps and chap ess's at the Uni!!
xx
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
www.rock247online.co.uk - I think we’re alone now? I hope not Paney!
Dear Scratchers,
Hopefully you just caught Andy being interviewed live on
http://www.rock247online.co.uk... a big thanks goes out to DJ Paney who was posing the questions... if you didn't get the chance to tune in, in a really good chatty interview Andy spoke a bit about the history of the band, the M.E.N, and forthcoming news, notably the Endorse IT festival which to the bands delight has had the Buzzcocks addded to it!!!! and also a range of topics from Glasto to Paney's observation that the chorus of new single Critical Mass, reminds him of Tiffany's 1988 'cheese pop classic!' 'I think we're alone now'... (now that sure brings the retro up to date a bit eh!)... and a good idea Paney, as Andy said... maybe it's mash up time!!!?? .... In addition to the interview Paney very kindly played Dear Maniac and Critical Mass. Andy and The band would like to thank Paney and www.rock247online.co.uk for their support with the single and we hope to speak again mate.
ps Andy was in the garden and where's that beer you're just going off too!?
Cheers
The Scratch
x
Hopefully you just caught Andy being interviewed live on
http://www.rock247online.co.uk... a big thanks goes out to DJ Paney who was posing the questions... if you didn't get the chance to tune in, in a really good chatty interview Andy spoke a bit about the history of the band, the M.E.N, and forthcoming news, notably the Endorse IT festival which to the bands delight has had the Buzzcocks addded to it!!!! and also a range of topics from Glasto to Paney's observation that the chorus of new single Critical Mass, reminds him of Tiffany's 1988 'cheese pop classic!' 'I think we're alone now'... (now that sure brings the retro up to date a bit eh!)... and a good idea Paney, as Andy said... maybe it's mash up time!!!?? .... In addition to the interview Paney very kindly played Dear Maniac and Critical Mass. Andy and The band would like to thank Paney and www.rock247online.co.uk for their support with the single and we hope to speak again mate.
ps Andy was in the garden and where's that beer you're just going off too!?
Cheers
The Scratch
x
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
More Phil Orange Radio play - Dear Maniac this weekend!
Dear Scratchers,
Just to let you know that Dear Maniac will be featured on the Phil Orange Show on Sat 12th April and Mon 14th April 2008
The Orange Radio Show every Saturday at 11am and Monday at 8pm (BST) on www. rivergibbsfm. com global internet radio. 2 hours of new and rare tracks from unsigned bands from around the world. Repeated throughout the week, check show times on the web-site. or check out the www. myspace. com/rivergibbsfm
Following on from a play of Erotomaniac from our DIY album last week.
Great stuff Phil thanks again mate.
x
Just to let you know that Dear Maniac will be featured on the Phil Orange Show on Sat 12th April and Mon 14th April 2008
The Orange Radio Show every Saturday at 11am and Monday at 8pm (BST) on www. rivergibbsfm. com global internet radio. 2 hours of new and rare tracks from unsigned bands from around the world. Repeated throughout the week, check show times on the web-site. or check out the www. myspace. com/rivergibbsfm
Following on from a play of Erotomaniac from our DIY album last week.
Great stuff Phil thanks again mate.
x
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
STUNNNNNNNING! Losing Today review of Critical Mass
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Dear Scratchers,
If all the hard work was summed up and legitamised in one review....
The Scratch "Critical Mass" (Ponyland). Last appearing in these very pages via their awesome 10 inch "X-Ray Eyes" (Missive 35) the follow up of course to their storming Buzzcock-ian debut "I relax to spiral scratch" (missive 26 in case you’re taking notes) though we are slightly miffed and grumbling aplenty at missing out on their full length "night bus or milk train" and the "numbers" single that they managed o squeeze out between then and now - alas though its not for us to shout the odds - the barstids. That said disagreeable muttering aside what better way to re-acquaint ourselves with St Albans finest foursome than with two spanking slabs of the - to be filed under the dogs bollocks - part of the listening section Still excavating the refined retro sounds of the 70’s "Critical Mass" is a searing slice of bad boogie all at once excitable, energetic and effervescent, laced with more hooks than a butchers walk in freezer this blistering babe swaggers, swoons and will no doubt shag your girlfriend when you back is turned such is its smouldering high impact uber coolness. Dashed with a pristine power driven pop chassis replete with licks lifted from the arse pocket of Ronson (that’ll be Mick as opposed to Mark) Critical Mass" is so blatantly out of step with current trads and trends that’s it disturbingly refreshing like some coming together fusion of New York’s Ambulance LTD and the Crimea, the Scratch are literally in a different time zone and pissing through the fence over the oncoming competition. Hell we haven’t even mentioned the oh so "Suffragette City" era Bowie references. A killer thing. Flip cut "dear maniac"€™ is even better, no fat or fillers here these kids are literally shitting transistor trouncing tunes by the hundred weight. Featuring crookedly skewif codas doused in odd art pop / new wave nuances sourced from vintage moments found on late 70’s era TOTP re-runs - think Devoto meets Pirroni but with the impish mindset of Stewart Copeland’s Klark Klent alter ego all converging to eke out a disorienting but devilishly dishy slice of awkward sonic sea sickness that possesses about its wares subtle Bolan-esque shimmies before erupting into a frenzied but mightily admirable anxiety riddled attrition lashed finale. Absolutely feckin’ essential.
stunning
mark
Mark you’re a superstar!
xxx
Dear Scratchers,
If all the hard work was summed up and legitamised in one review....
The Scratch "Critical Mass" (Ponyland). Last appearing in these very pages via their awesome 10 inch "X-Ray Eyes" (Missive 35) the follow up of course to their storming Buzzcock-ian debut "I relax to spiral scratch" (missive 26 in case you’re taking notes) though we are slightly miffed and grumbling aplenty at missing out on their full length "night bus or milk train" and the "numbers" single that they managed o squeeze out between then and now - alas though its not for us to shout the odds - the barstids. That said disagreeable muttering aside what better way to re-acquaint ourselves with St Albans finest foursome than with two spanking slabs of the - to be filed under the dogs bollocks - part of the listening section Still excavating the refined retro sounds of the 70’s "Critical Mass" is a searing slice of bad boogie all at once excitable, energetic and effervescent, laced with more hooks than a butchers walk in freezer this blistering babe swaggers, swoons and will no doubt shag your girlfriend when you back is turned such is its smouldering high impact uber coolness. Dashed with a pristine power driven pop chassis replete with licks lifted from the arse pocket of Ronson (that’ll be Mick as opposed to Mark) Critical Mass" is so blatantly out of step with current trads and trends that’s it disturbingly refreshing like some coming together fusion of New York’s Ambulance LTD and the Crimea, the Scratch are literally in a different time zone and pissing through the fence over the oncoming competition. Hell we haven’t even mentioned the oh so "Suffragette City" era Bowie references. A killer thing. Flip cut "dear maniac"€™ is even better, no fat or fillers here these kids are literally shitting transistor trouncing tunes by the hundred weight. Featuring crookedly skewif codas doused in odd art pop / new wave nuances sourced from vintage moments found on late 70’s era TOTP re-runs - think Devoto meets Pirroni but with the impish mindset of Stewart Copeland’s Klark Klent alter ego all converging to eke out a disorienting but devilishly dishy slice of awkward sonic sea sickness that possesses about its wares subtle Bolan-esque shimmies before erupting into a frenzied but mightily admirable anxiety riddled attrition lashed finale. Absolutely feckin’ essential.
stunning
mark
Mark you’re a superstar!
xxx
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
‘Egg-Static’ Easter continues at Bar 62!
Part 2 of the weekends gig fun, began with the band loading the gear only to be confronted by a rather cross eyedly drunk bloke asking if it was going to be Karaoke later!!!! – Now that is the down side of pub gigs… Karaoke and crossededly drunk blokes…
Undaunted, infact buoyed by the 'lively' atmosphere, nay elated at the sight of 'our Tina' off her sick bed, with a surprise visit from Manchester (just as we like to see her with a bottle of beer in each hand!) The Scratch took their second 24 track gig in two days with more 'wide eyed, gyrating, gusto'… this the third pub name for the same venue that Andy had played in over his 'distinguished, career!'… started a storm and with many a friendly face looking on (thank you as ever to all!) continued in similar vein to the last (Dear Maniac) and even resulted in Andy taking a spontaneous toilet break during the thrashy end section of the song, to much merriment from the assembled throng….
It had been a concern, the old vocal chords for this mammoth set list repeated less than 24 hours apart, but a mixture of adrenalin and exuberance saw the band complete one of the most satisfying weekends in its history with firey vigour… all this topped with CD sales and very well in fact wide-eyed awe of badge giveaways at the end gave a warm Easter glow to the hearts of all concerned.
Thanks again to everyone for all your support. Big Thanks to Neil, John and James.
Cu all at the Mermaid on 10th May?!
xx
Undaunted, infact buoyed by the 'lively' atmosphere, nay elated at the sight of 'our Tina' off her sick bed, with a surprise visit from Manchester (just as we like to see her with a bottle of beer in each hand!) The Scratch took their second 24 track gig in two days with more 'wide eyed, gyrating, gusto'… this the third pub name for the same venue that Andy had played in over his 'distinguished, career!'… started a storm and with many a friendly face looking on (thank you as ever to all!) continued in similar vein to the last (Dear Maniac) and even resulted in Andy taking a spontaneous toilet break during the thrashy end section of the song, to much merriment from the assembled throng….
It had been a concern, the old vocal chords for this mammoth set list repeated less than 24 hours apart, but a mixture of adrenalin and exuberance saw the band complete one of the most satisfying weekends in its history with firey vigour… all this topped with CD sales and very well in fact wide-eyed awe of badge giveaways at the end gave a warm Easter glow to the hearts of all concerned.
Thanks again to everyone for all your support. Big Thanks to Neil, John and James.
Cu all at the Mermaid on 10th May?!
xx
Monday, March 24, 2008
Pub rock is back!!!!!
Pub Rock is BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Scratchers,
Hey Rock’n’Roll! Now that was a great weekend of gigging… if you include the rehearsal that was a 72 song set weekend!!!!!!
Part 1 – The Queen’s Head Box ROCKS!!.
This on the was on the face of it a friendly home banker of a gig down the Baron’s local… in actuality it was one of The Scratch’s finest hours and banished any faded memories of the Turnmills experience… if that was ’the toilet circuit’ this was the warm fire, pickled eggs and full on rock’n’roll circuit.
Dean the landlord had done a great job of setting the PA, the Baron’s drum riser on top of the pool table and a ’flickr’ image montage that flashed up amongst others the fantastic pics of the M.E.N. during the bands performance, what a contrast a year, but with the reaction from the opening track Dial Xero, every bit as enjoyable….
24 tracks as you can imagine did take some real head scratching organisation. Many of the songs either hadn’t been played ever before, or had been ’rested’ for over 4 years, as was the case with the ’spine tinglingly’ triumphant return of Back to 10.
A sign of how well received the band was, was the offer from Dean of a place on the Box Rocks festival on August band holiday a local festival that regularly attracts over a thousand people.
It’s too hard to pick out all the highlights, but the site of a pub full of locals virtually ’nutting’ the bar during the punk thrash of Sweet Surprise was a site to behold… having previously been conscious that there was another full 24 tracks to be played the night after in St.Albans all thoughts of taking it easy were dispelled by the huge and rapturous applause and spontaneous clammer of ’ENCORE’… resulting in a super charged finale of ’classic’ debut single I relax to Spiral Scratch!
What a great night and even better, the majority of it was filmed too by film maker Sir Michael ’Puff’ Greenland who was in town to record footage of the band, for the upcoming video of next single Critical Mass…. There is much bonus footage in the offing too… with the Baron’s ’white flipper’ shoes, looking sure to make a star appearance!
So on behalf of The band, we’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who stayed, danced and bought CD’s on a night that truly restores the faith in Rock’n’Roll!
See in August for Box Rocks guys!
The Scratch
xxx
Dear Scratchers,
Hey Rock’n’Roll! Now that was a great weekend of gigging… if you include the rehearsal that was a 72 song set weekend!!!!!!
Part 1 – The Queen’s Head Box ROCKS!!.
This on the was on the face of it a friendly home banker of a gig down the Baron’s local… in actuality it was one of The Scratch’s finest hours and banished any faded memories of the Turnmills experience… if that was ’the toilet circuit’ this was the warm fire, pickled eggs and full on rock’n’roll circuit.
Dean the landlord had done a great job of setting the PA, the Baron’s drum riser on top of the pool table and a ’flickr’ image montage that flashed up amongst others the fantastic pics of the M.E.N. during the bands performance, what a contrast a year, but with the reaction from the opening track Dial Xero, every bit as enjoyable….
24 tracks as you can imagine did take some real head scratching organisation. Many of the songs either hadn’t been played ever before, or had been ’rested’ for over 4 years, as was the case with the ’spine tinglingly’ triumphant return of Back to 10.
A sign of how well received the band was, was the offer from Dean of a place on the Box Rocks festival on August band holiday a local festival that regularly attracts over a thousand people.
It’s too hard to pick out all the highlights, but the site of a pub full of locals virtually ’nutting’ the bar during the punk thrash of Sweet Surprise was a site to behold… having previously been conscious that there was another full 24 tracks to be played the night after in St.Albans all thoughts of taking it easy were dispelled by the huge and rapturous applause and spontaneous clammer of ’ENCORE’… resulting in a super charged finale of ’classic’ debut single I relax to Spiral Scratch!
What a great night and even better, the majority of it was filmed too by film maker Sir Michael ’Puff’ Greenland who was in town to record footage of the band, for the upcoming video of next single Critical Mass…. There is much bonus footage in the offing too… with the Baron’s ’white flipper’ shoes, looking sure to make a star appearance!
So on behalf of The band, we’d like to say a huge thanks to everyone who stayed, danced and bought CD’s on a night that truly restores the faith in Rock’n’Roll!
See in August for Box Rocks guys!
The Scratch
xxx
Thursday, March 20, 2008
An eclectic night on the tiles atTurnmills
Eclectic… isn’t the word for the line up tonight… 'Albany' are ‘Jazzy’ Coldplay/Keane style shoegazers, headliners 'Skate City Rockers' are a 4 piece electro outfit 3 girls, one guy a guitar and an ipod and your redoubtable rock'n’roll heroes The Scratch. Who as you have come to realise will not let amp failure, dodgy guts or hawthorne bush accidents!!!!! get in the way of a rockin roll riot! Once again ‘pick of the pops’ is who Ray? muted as a future single, endorsed by the biggest reception of the night, other pick is Critical Mass the actual next single. Many, many thanks to all who came and supported us the new kids on the block and the hardest hardcore in town, our gratitude overfloweth.
What a lovely building Turnmills was housed in, beautiful tiles on the walls… RIP
Next stop two 24 track gigs in two nights… the question is can The Scratch remember 24 whole tracks… see you in Box or St.Albans for the answers!!!!!!
What a lovely building Turnmills was housed in, beautiful tiles on the walls… RIP
Next stop two 24 track gigs in two nights… the question is can The Scratch remember 24 whole tracks… see you in Box or St.Albans for the answers!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)