When the pursuit of perfection is just missing the point ... The Scratch, Horn Reborn, St.Albans 22/12/04

It's 9.15 ... the band has been stood on stage for 5 minutes since being announced prematurely as 'Scratch' by the eager compare ... 15 minutes just isn't enough when there's 5 sets of symbols to manouver around ... Grim is still yet to plug in his pedals ... the lull adds fantastic suspense ... such hitches can often produce audible unease, not tonight ... the fuse is on a slow burn, to the biggest keg of dynamite that the poor old 'Horn Reborn' has witnessed in a long time. Spiral Scratch lasserates the front row with its first strafe of riffage and keeps going mercilessly through the guts of the whole room, not a second for applause between Critical Mass and Teen Idol ... the sound from my vantage point at the side of the stage is all too quite through the monitors, but for some reason tonight it doesn't matter ... there is a real aura around the band, a passion and a tension, movement isn't as obvious as in previous gigs, but I can feel the pumping of every heartbeat. The clarity and passion of the vocals completely defelect all the negatives ... Brainstorm, 80's (Time to say), Texture to the Flava and a gloriously loose but inspired X-Ray Eyes, put this set list up there as probably the best I've seen the band play ... as I said in my review of 2004, the band have been perseved as quiet this year ... but no revolution was ever planned in public ... my frustration at how long it has taken for the band to gain any kind of recognition, must be nothing compared to the boys themselves, especailly when they are clearly the most essential item on anyones new year resolution. Rumours abound of other 'scratch's' plying their trade in the local vicinity ... that's as maybe these are THE Scratch, so find yourselves a new name, you're not worthy.

Dave T.

' Cocks thrust, dulled by muffled mush!

Just so you don't all believe that I only go to Scratch gigs! ... Here's one I went to last week with the Scratch ... I was invited out by the chaps on their christmas do ... a visit to the usually redoubtable forum to witness Northern Punk originators and god like genius' the Buzzcocks ... well Pete and Steve ... and friends ... anticipation was high after an afternoon of chrtismas shopper dodging in a couple of soho's darker drinking establishments. Neville Staples was in support, as great as it was to hear those classic numbers, they couldn't sound anything other then nostalgic head bobbers, without Terry Hall. Bit like the sadly now departed Micky Finns attempts at his version of T.Rex. Then for the main course ... The Buzzcocks came blistering into their set with three tracks, straight off the bat, so great to see a band do that rather than bugger about mumbling over the mic ... sadly though despite the semi-comical Mayesque posturing of Steve Diggle and the galant frantic highpitched mastery of Pete Shelly's voice ... the only thing you could really hear audibly was the drums ... in a strange perverse way it was heart warming to see that it wasn't just the poor sods on the pub/small venue circuit who have to put up with sub standard sound, but at £15 a ticket and with all their years of brilliance it was a shame that this marred the bands considerable efforts.

2004 a retrospective

To the outside world 2004 wasn't the Scratch's most prolific year ...

However like one of those underground rat runs at london zoo, seen in cross section in the nocturnal zone, the story is very different ...

a mere 6 gigs I hear you say ... but how about X-Ray Eyes/Brainstorm 10 inch on sale in Rough Trade, Sister Ray and FFop, played at numerous club nights, most notably by Clint 'Inspiral Carpet' Boon at Turnmills. DIY the album selling out in its first run and with a new portable/tower block recording technique over 30 new trax in the can for 2005!

Standby for a cracking brainstorm remix by P.Kelly and R.Testa (The Kidda Mix), backed by the 10 inch tracks it's due to be the first release of 2005 ... closely followed by a brand new single ... prepare to be amazed at a new twist from the fab 4! ... Undercover, Time to Say and Out Faking the Fakers ... format to be decided. Speaking of which, I have also had a sneak preview of the never seen before video of X-Ray eyes which the band are hopeful to have out on DVD at some point this year

They have also promised more gigs and a lot more material in the way of eps' (hoorah!) ... don't forget to check out for downloads too, I hear there are 4 new live tracks imminent!

And finally there is news from the record company Ponyland Records that not only are Mamajamas set to record their first single for 4 years ... the long awaited Not In Season, but three or four new bands are to be added to the roster ... Pony Virus are due to release a track called Passing Through, The 'Secretive Electromorbes' M.O.P are busy recording their debut album, And more new signings are promised!!!

So fear not ... next year looks to be the one ... it's taken a year to plan!!!!!!
"I am a Product Want to be noticed, I 've been groomed for the revolution" ... (Teen Idol, The Scratch)

I'm off to the homecoming gig tonight at the Horn, in St.Albans ... hope to see you there!