Viva Espania!!

Following a successful first campaign the Scratch, decided to ‘getaway’ from the number heavy London scene with a relaxing weekend in sunny Majorca. I was privileged enough to go along with the boys on what turned out to be a great journey into the unknown. First let me state, it wasn’t sunny, in fact the weather resembled a monsoon more accurately and there certainly wasn’t time to chill... 2 gigs and 2 many bars, led astray by tour manager Huma, Friday night saw the boys play middle spot at Mulligans in Puerto Pollensa. to the aforementioned Huma and his band (cheers to Geoairmo, Steve and Huma for the back line by the way) Due to lack of amps, Andy had to resort to a clean and jangly rhythm which though upsetting the usual buzzsaw attack of the band, allowed the songs to shine through, with a particularly fine version of Texture to the Flava being the pick for me.

Saturday is a quieter night in holiday season ‘change over day’. The Scratch were booked to follow the 5-7 live Jazz session at Fat Cats - where in gods name did the London Electro Punkers fit in here? Blue rinse heaven! 2 songs in it would be fair to say that 70% of the bar had cleared... the air was rich with paramedics, smelling salts and incontinence as little kids were dragged from the front row by cotton wool eared mums. Underrated and undeterred, the angry shy dismissed and blurred .. definitely kicked the remaining (and very enthusiastic) few right up the arse!... Sweet Surprise was a classic way to finish (all leaps beautifully Choreographed) The night finished on a high note, with Andy being interview for the local paper and all the ‘freebie’ sampler Cd’s going off to more than willing punters. Free pints guzzled and all done and dusted by 8.30, the evening was young.Huma led the band off into the night!!

Dublin Castle

It seems like only yesterday we were cramming into Jacksons Lane for the Scratch's debut... 5 months on the boys now have 7 gigs (2 headlines) and a Euro tour to finish the year off. Fan as I am, I would love to tell those who missed it on thursday, that the Scratch soared to even greater heights than August 9th’s cracker, but as alas, it didn't all go quite to plan this time... (Wot DT, losing his love for the Scratch!?!?!) Not a bit of it, for what the guys lost in perfect chord progressions and note for note precision, they more than trebled in performance, this was MANIC!!!! ... from the second song when lead singer Andy clattered the mic to the floor with a samuri swipe of his guitar! leaving John the bass meister to leap off stage to rescue it from the front row... to the sonic explosion of new fave outro thrash, cool in an uncool way... beer, legs and bile everywhere! it was wired ...

So, in summary the crowds are getting bigger at every gig... It can only be a matter of time b4 someone takes notice?!?!... Rough Trade records are a good step (now stocking Spiral Scratch, go buy it, if you haven't already!) ... let's hope 2004 we have great strides boys! (Get it??!?!?!) keep Rockin!