Introduce yourselves – tell us about the band, your background, music and formation
The Scratch is four lads who spent their formative years playing in metal/hardcore bands now playing in an acoustic format. Sort of. And it was totally accidental. Myself and Jordan were jamming ‘Gold’ by Fergus O Farrell. We wanted to learn to sing but we were also terrified of singing, so we picked this song because it meant we both had to sing together and that didn’t seem as scary. But while learning the song we fell in love with the guitar tuning. We were so inspired by it that we immediately started writing songs. Couldn’t stop ourselves. And when Dock and Petes came aboard that was it. It went from kitchen jams to busking and then to gigging and beyond.
What can people expect from your headline show?
A lot of energy and a chance to get loosey goosey if you fancy it.
What is your favourite song to perform live?
Probably Vico Road.
What was the first record you bought?
Michael Jackson – History when I was 5. Still have it. It’s in bits. Banger though.
Can you remember the first song you wrote when you were young? What was it called?
Myself and Dock wrote a song called ‘Here We Come’ with our first band ‘Steellined’ when we were 14. “Here we come we’re back again, reeking havoc across the land” and the riff was basically just ‘Fuel’ by Metallica lol
Who would you most like to collaborate with in the future?
Bob Rock and Kurt Ballou. But at the same time. Why not?!
If you could have a meal with three musicians, dead or alive, who would it be?
Dimebag Darrell, Will Smith and Lianne La Havas.
What are you listening to at the moment?
Little Dragon, Spiritbox, Lianne La Havas and a bit of Planxty.
Who was the first band/artist you ever saw perform live?
Metallica when I was 14. Or if Riverdance counts then Riverdance.
Tell us a story from your time on the road…
We played a lot of Kings Cup on one tour which led to a lot of peeing on drives. But instead of getting the van to pull in all the time we’d just pee out the back door while on the motorway. Which probably wasn’t great for our fellow commuters. Driving behind some young lad with his flute out. Most of the piss actually sprayed back into the van as well.
Message for the fans?
Disney plus has all the seasons,
Bepanthon for the nether regions.
Don’t miss The Scratch live at Manchester The Star & Garter this month on 26th Jan! Final tickets are on sale now.
Tags: introducing / The Scratch