A Mother 333 of a show!

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’s 2 THOU SAND and 9!!!!

Fireworks as The Scratch album Launch party goes off!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Four residencies down, one more to go…

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


And in the words of the newly reformed Specials we leave you... “It’s the dawning of a new era!”.

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

x

Clint Boon and The Scratch at The Horn

BLOG OF THE NIGHT:
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.

Goldblade and The Scratch at the Horn, a night to remember!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What a night, what a bloody brilliant night!
xx ..