Radio play on amazing tunes

Thanks to Neil at amazingtunes.com who mailed to say they "are really enjoying" The Scratch’s track ‘X Ray Eyes’ on Amazing Radio!

The Scratch tour starts in Brighton tonight!

We are very excited here at Ponyland towers as tonight The Scratch begin their mini tour! First stop is The Great Escape Festival at Brighton's Live Lounge, they are on at 9.40 this evening, so don't be shy if you're in the area. It's free entry and they are on the bill with 5 other acts, so you can't say it wouldn't be value for money (if you were paying!)... not only that, but superstar DJ Hugh Davenport will be in best journalist mode, so you may even get yourself featured in the radio special we're recording for the occasion!. Stay tuned for regular tweets and updates. It's gonna rock!

losing today blog, caps a great day!

the scratch
Category: Music
The Scratch ‘x-ray eyes’ (pony land). Many thanks to Andy Scratch for despatching with haste a finished copy of the must have 100 only 10 inch repress of the bands ‘x-rays eyes’ single - our copy coming adorned in all manner of autographs and well wishes which I don’t mind saying that aside having us much humbled and at a loss for words will be find itself pride of place framed and hung in a suitably centre of attention location when the losing today singled out shed of sound finally moves into pastures anew (more about that shortly).Anyhow this cute thing first saw the light of day in that golden year 2004 and serves as a pre-teaser for the re-release of the bands debut and re-mastered debut full length ’diy’ which I think I’ve commented on in the not so distant past is of such scarcity that I’m fairly certain we’ve not got a copy. Enough of that - this ten inch set gathers together a brace of golden oldies from the Scratch’s back catalogue ‘x-rays eyes’ itself briefly commented upon a blog or seven ago asserting itself amid a rather nifty austere post punk throb fused to a pulsating and dirty grinding death disco underpin replete with Gang of Four additives, Ry Cooder slides and some classically drilled Pigbag re-wiring. Over on the flip ‘brainstorm’ offers a spot of darkly unfurling softly seducing and brooding psychotropic loveliness, the marinating of mooching locked grooved chime riffs, the spy school noir tipped backdrops and the subtle bathing in swathes of electronic hypno swirls all coalesce with mercurial mesmeric zeal to fracture and unravel into something that both Working for a Nuclear Free City and Genaro would weep with envy on hearing. Essential type purchase then.

Read more: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=58054418&blogId=533737592#ixzz0mnr92nHP

Recharged Radio special - last night!!!

There were plenty of name checks (Hugh Davenport and particularly Clint Boon) as an hour flew by last night on Andy Scratc's latest visit to the studios at Maple Street W1 of Recharged Radio. Host Jordan expertly guided the audience through all things The Scratch with an erudite line of questioning. Starting with Jordan's and The Scratch's Recharged signature track Teen Idol, Andy plotted a course from DIY (I Relax to Spiral Scratch), through Night Bus or Milk Train (Undercover, Smell the Gas Taps) and onto Whatever Happened to Friday Night (Girl's World and Independent Unrepentant), filling in the blanks all the way, with news, stories and info over the past 8 years and beyond!

Many thanks to Jord as ever. See you all on Thursday for the Recharged Awards do (FREE entry) at 93 Feet East, with your appetites now firmly whetted!!!!

If you missed it all is not lost!!!, just look out for the podcast on itunes which you can get from www.rechargedradio.com
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TC's debut brings the house down!!!

Pub gigs aren't usually where The Scratch, excel or indeed feel most at home... there's something about the no stage thing that doesn't feel quite right... but Bar 62 in St.Albans is a bit different... (yeah it's Andy's mates place, so if ever there was a home banker, Bar 62 is it)... but last night was one of the highlight gigs of the latter Scratch history. Apart from the nailed on performance it was the sheer metronomic brutality of new man Terry C that really smashed the band back into the public eye, a mere 4 months since the departure of The Baron. To a person the assembled throng were full of praise for one of our best gigs in years... Two setters are always strange affairs, harking more to 'covers for cash' than the usual 30 minute smash and grabs we aspire to, Sunday felt a bit like a ram raid that went in, out, drove home, dropped off the stash and then drove back for more taking out the other supporting wall and bringing the whole house down on top of everyone. 3 newies too (Staving off the where's or the wise, let there be us and Biting on my lip), were a real buzz (great to play/hear new material), but old faves such as Strange 4Play, Spiral Scratch and particularly in it's year of re-release... DIY era trio, Alochol's a depressant, Supermodel and finale Texture to the flava!!! left many penciling in the Flag in Watford as there next big gig!

PS. Apologies if anyone sustained any broken toes from the enthusiastic nature of the frenzied dancers... but it was a rock'n'roll show after all!!!

Many many thanks as ever to everyone who made it down. This IS the dawn of a new era for The Scratch! so, see you all on Thursday at 93 Feet... it's gonna rock dudes!!!!

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!

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