While most bands start out acoustic and then join the electric world, the Irish foursome flipped the script and went ‘backwards’. Conor Dockery, Cathal McKenna, Daniel Lang and Jordan O’Leary started their career win the metal band Red Enemy and toured the world on the success of their debut album. After the band fizzled out, the member went in search of revitalisation and renewed authenticity, which they found within their Irish folk roots. Red Enemy became The Scratch, the four remaining members put away their amps and started to combine the intensity and dynamics of metal and hard-rock with instrumental and harmonies of folk.
With their unique blend of heavy folk, came a new concept of touring. Instead of lugging backbreaking amps in vans from venue to venue, The Scratch took to the streets to busk, ready to play everywhere and anywhere. From the biggest cities to the smallest Irish villages. After a fan video of them busking in Dublin went viral, the band exploded onto the scene in their home country. Their incendiary, passionate live shows, still acoustic with added percussion on the Peruvian cajón, led to jampacked venues and swirling mosh pits.
The Scratch will release their new album, produced by James Vincent McMorrow, ‘Mind Yourself’ on 03/11 through Sony Records. For fans of Dropkick Murphys and Floggin Molly (who The Scratch was already support for), but also for those that love Fountains D.C. and Lankum. One thing’s for sure, The Scratch only come to break the house down.
Come see them on 05/12 in Cactus Café. Breaking Waves!
