scratchy
sounds
for info, updates on gigs, bookings & contact
date o8/o2/2oo9
Seek the green roots of recovery
Scratchy's back at Big Chill Sundae
in his regular 4 to 6pm slot.
Sun Feb 8th:
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
Free Entry
www.bigchill.net
date 21/o2/2oo9
All that Glitters may not be Gold
But once again All will be Sparkling
Down at the Gypsy Hotel, where we bring you
Alejandro Toledo & the Magic Tombolinos,
The Future Shape of Sound, Frank Sanazi,
The United Stoats of America, Ruby Fortune,
Empress Stah, The Long Insiders & Cherry Deville,
all capped with Scratchy's Globalistic Rockin' Rhythms.
Sat Feb 8th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: 6.66
Seven quid to those without the change!
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 28/o2/2oo9
Scratchy heads over to Italy
to appear at the Sonar Club
alongside his amicos
The Urban Voodoo Machine
and Lady Ane Angel
Sat Feb 28th:
Sonar Club
Colle Val d'Elsa
Siena
Doors: 22.30
every wednesday
SCRATCHY SOUNDS
Every Wednesday
Live - 4-6pm London Timezone
Brought to you via wirelessfm.net
Playback for one week through the wirelessfm archive
And don't forget...
SCRATCHY SOUNDS - REGGAE WITH A TWIST
The first Wednesday of every month
Live - 4-6pm London Timezone
Thanks to Vicki Schroit who designed the flyer in 1980,
wherever you are
press
Scratchy now has an electronic press kit
with downloadable mix demo
available through sonicbids.com
View dj Scratchy's epk
looking ahead
Upcoming dates:
Feb 8th: Big Chill Sundae, Big Chill Bar, London
Feb 21st: Gypsy Hotel, Barden's Boudoir, London
Feb 28th: Sonar Club, Siena, Italy
date 19/o5/2oo8
A special three hour edition of
Scratchy Sounds
Musical Shamanism:
The Rock & The Roll of The World
featuring a live-in-the-studio session
from The Urban Voodoo Machine
was broadcast live from New Cross
on Diesel U Music Radio on 87.7FM
and streamed at www.diesel.com
Monday May 19th from 4pm UK time
date july 2oo7
To celebrate 20 years of Piranha Records
the label has invited a dozen top international djs
to compile a download album of faves from their catalogue
'Rockin' the Barricades' is Scratchy's personal selection
Featuring sounds that stretch
from the Balkans to Brazil
from Africa to South-East Asia
from the Middle East to New York's Lower East Side,
this is a veritable journey
through the Rock and the Roll of the World
It is available now from all good download stores
date 2oo7
Scratchy's broadcast on
Thursday Jan 4th 2007
on East Village Radio
in downtown Manhattan on
www.eastvillageradio.com
is not currently available
four years and going strong
"Scratchy Sounds: Ska, Dub, Roots & Reggae Nuggets",
a CD selection from Scratchy's ska and reggae favourites
was released to great acclaim in October of 2004
and is still available worldwide through Trojan Records.
for info, updates on gigs, bookings & contact
date 2oo6
courtesy of...
::::: RadioVague.com :::::
...Somewhere on your dial!
SCRATCHY took the controls of
the
CONTINENTAL DRIFTS slot
on London's RESONANCE 104.4fm
for one week only on Tues May 2nd
Listen here
See thumbnail link for playlist
date 17/o1/2oo9
The first Gypsy Hotel of 2009
welcomed back Norway's Los Plantronics
and a fab full cast consisting of
Nigel Burch & the Flea-Pit Orchestra,
The Bohemianauts, The Mojokings,
Rubber Ritchie, Amanda Mae Steele,
Trixie Malicious, Kingsize Slim,
and, performing the Dance of the 7 Veils,
a special unannounced guest, Luna Rosa
Sat Jan 17th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 11/o1/2oo9
Scratchy opened up
his 2009 account
in the 4 to 6pm slot
of Big Chill Sundae.
Sun Jan 11th:
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 31/12/2oo8
What better way to see one year out
than to rock'n'roll the new one in,
getting Bourbon Soaked & Snake Charmed
down at the lil' ol' Gypsy Hotel with
The Cesarians, Bad Breed,
Luxury Condo, Anil Desai,
Tom Spencer, Nigel Burch,
Baron & Missy's Misadventures
Sophia Landi, Lalla Morte
and dj Scratchy's Musical Shamanism.
Wed Dec 31st:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 6.00pm
Entry: 9.99
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 28/12/2oo8
The penultimate gig on the
Scratchy Winds Up 2008 Tour
was in the 4 to 6pm slot
of Big Chill Sundae.
Sun Dec 28th:
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
pogues xmas and scratchy winds up 2oo8 tour
Scratchy took The Rock and The Roll of The World
for a dozen shows around the UK and Ireland,
once again in the company of Pogues,
as dj on their Xmas Tour of 2008.
Completing the line-up was
his Gypsy Hotel compadres,
The Urban Voodoo Machine.
Check all their news
and upcoming shows
at their fab new website.
Throughout November and December
Scratchy showcased his
unique mix of Musical Shamanism
on the Scratchy Winds Up 2008 Tour
with gigs in London, Geneva and Paris
and shows alongside, not only the Pogues,
but also the Mad Professor and Rezurex.
Having just celebrated
their second anniversary,
it all kicked off with
the Gypsy Hotel's latest collaboration
with fellow London club night
Stranger Than Paradise,
Saturday October 25th.
date 2o/12/2oo8
After the third and final Pogues' London show
Scratchy sped from south to north-east
for this year's Gypsy Hotel Xmas show.
December's glittering international line-up was
Little Victor (USA) and Walking Wounded,
Mikelangelo & Undine Francesca,
Lady Flo from France , Agent Lynch,
Rasp Thorne and Chris 'not that one' Martin.
Barely pausing for breath on the way back from Brixton,
the turntables ultimately rotated to
dj Scratchy's The Rock and The Roll of The World
Sat Dec 20th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a remarkable 6.66
Seven quid to those without the change
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 29/11/2oo8
For the second Paris show
following a set by
reggae band Funde,
Scratchy was back onboard
la Dame de Canton
the chinese wooden junk
moored on banks of la Seine
Saturday Nov 29th:
La Dame de Canton
Port de la gare
75013 Paris
from 23:30
Au pied de la BNF,
en face de Bercy,
quai Francois Mauriac.
Metros: Quai de la gare
ou Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand
date 28/11/2oo8
Scratchy was back in Paris.
For the first of two gigs
he returned to
L'Alimentation Generale
Saturday Nov 28th:
L'Alimentation Generale
64 Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud
75011 Paris
From 22:00
date 23/11/2oo8
It was a night of dub, roots and ska
down at the Shunt Lounge
when Scratchy joined the bill
with the Mad Professor
& 9 Ton Peanut Smugglers
Sun Nov 23rd:
Shunt Lounge
20 Stainer Street
London SE1 9RL
Doors: 7.30pm
date 21/11/2oo8
Scratchy cranked out the best Rock'n'Roll,
Garage, Rockabilly, Surf and Ska
down at the Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
on a night featuring live music from
Rezurex from L.A., Shakeout,
Radio City Riot and Horror B-Movie.
Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes
Tavistock Hotel (Basement)
Bedford Way
London WC1H 9EU
date 16/11/2oo8
A late session for Scratchy
this month at Big Chill Sundae
when he slipped into the
8.00pm to 10.00pm slot
Sun Nov 16th:
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 15/11/2oo8
Down at the ol' Gypsy Hotel
(in our 3rd year now, don't ya just know it),
we're still keeping 'em coming hard'n'fast.
November's listing was packed from
the sweet start to the electric end
with South London Surf, Nude Opera and some Turkish Folk,
Punked-Up Country, Bellydancing and Max R'n'B,
Blues Mit a Feelink and a Sassy Lassie with a Classy Chassis,
from, in no necessarily corresponding order,
Deptford Beach Babes, the Jooks of Kent,
Emily Breeze, Pavabotti, Kimberly Mackoy,
Rose Thorne, John Drain and Cem.
Holding it all in place,
the Musical Shamanism of dj Scratchy's
The Rock and The Roll of The World
Sat Nov 15th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a remarkable 6.66
Seven quid to those without the change
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date o7/11/2oo8
Scratchy's debut at Berlin's
White Trash Fast Food
has been delayed until 2009
date o1/11/2oo8
It was back to Geneva for Scratchy
with a rockin' return to Le Chat Noir
rounding off the night following
La Scana del Domingo from France.
Sat Nov 1st:
Le Chat Noir
Rue Vautier 13
Carouge
date 25/1o/2oo8
Having just about recovered
from recent Birthday excesses
Gypsy Hotel once again joined
with Stranger Than Paradise
in a Halloween Extravaganza.
Tonight's 12-hour marathon featured
from France, Leopold S'Affole,
from The Slackers, USA, Vic Ruggerio,
and from the Home Territories
The Fancy Toys, The Owlls and Hooverville,
as well as a coffin load of horror burlesque
and the massed ranks of the GH and STP DJs.
Saturday October 25th
The Miller
96 Snowsfields
London Bridge SE1
From 7pm to 7am
date 18/1o/2oo8
Gypsy Hotel celebrated its second anniversary.
And what a cast we had to make the party swing.
Headed by our own hosts The Urban Voodoo Machine
who were on supreme riotous and powerhouse form,
we were joined by favourites and regulars
Lady Ane Angel, Lalla Morte and Anil Desai.
We welcomed back the Trans Siberian March Band
and welcomed for their super Gypsy Hotel premiere,
from Geneva, the cajun boogie of Mama Rosin.
And it didn't end there, with Swampmeat,
Des O'Connor and Oren Marshall
keeping it all a-happenin' into the bargain.
On the platters, le patron de la partee, Scratchy.
Anything else? Yes, YOU, in red and black
and many thanks to all of you who did so.
Onwards we go towards El Numero Tres!
Sat Oct 18th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 6.00pm
Entry: 9.99
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 1o-11/1o/2oo8
Scratchy showcased at
this year's Popkomm
on Saturday October 11th
Kaffee Burger
Torstrasse 58/60
10119 Berlin
from 11pm
He also showcased the night before
as part of the Popkomm Reggae Festival
Friday Oct 10th:
RAW-Tempel
Revaler Str.99
date o5/1o/2oo8
Scratchy was back at Big Chill Sundae
for the 4.00pm to 6.00pm set
Sunday October 5th
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date o2/1o/2oo8
Scratchy guested at
the London Burlesque Social Club
on a night that featured
music from Lady & the Tramps
and performance from
Lili la Scala, Frivolitease
Bill MacKinney's Aintree Hootenanny
Circus Rhythm Project, Honey Lulu
Warren Speed and Siren Stiletto
Thursday October 2nd
Madame JoJos
8-10 Brewer St. Soho
Doors: 9pm
date 27-28/o9/2oo8
Scratchy played two nights in Belfast
at the Open House Festival 2008
Saturday night was with the D. Rangers
Sat Sept 27th:
The Black Box
18 - 22 Hill Street
Cathedral Quarter
Doors 8pm
Sunday night was Gypsy Hotel night
featuring The Urban Voodoo Machine
Lady Ane Angel and Lalla Morte
plus a host of Hotel regulars
Sun Sept 28th:
The Festival Marquee
Custom House Square
Doors 8pm
date 2o/o9/2oo8
This month the Gypsy Hotel saw the return
of Dublin's The Mighty Stef Band.
Adding to the international flavour,
from Canada we welcomed Blackberry Wood
and outta Berlin came Pascal Briggs.
The Woodsmen and Dave Acari
Trixee Sparkle and Mamzelle Fifi
plus debutantes Trio Manouche
rounded off the bill, with Scratchy on the decks
Sat Sept 20th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a devilish 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date o6-o7/o9/2oo8
Scratchy made a swift return to Geneva
for another of his notorious dj sets
to follow the band Hurlak's appearance
at La Batie, the Festival of Geneva.
Sat Sept 6th:
Le Chat Noir
Rue Vautier 13
Carouge
Scratchy also did an impromptu set
back at this year's Terrasse du Troc,
the following afternoon in Bois de la Batie,
Sunday Sept 7th from 5 to 10pm
and was joined for the last couple of hours
by Geneva's own Gypsy Sound System
date 22/o8/2oo8-24/o8/2oo8
Friday Aug 22nd:
Scratchy began a mini-tour
of the Czech Republic
at Zachs in Pilsen
as part of Na Ulici,
the On the Street Festival
Zachs Pub
Palackeho nam. 2
301 16 Plzen
Saturday Aug 23th:
The Cross Club in Prague
was Saturday night's venue
for another pumpin' session
at 'Culture Move' night
Cross Club
Plynarni 1096/23
Praha 7
Sunday Aug 24th:
The 3-day tour ended
when Scratchy played
a couple of sets
at the Trutnov Festival
the 'Czech Woodstock'
now in its 21st year,
the second set bringing
the festival and weekend
to a rousing conclusion
date 17/o8/2oo8
A new time to Chill
at Big Chill Sundae
Scratchy shook the bar
for the 4.00pm to 6.00pm set
Sunday August 17th
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 16/o8/2oo8
They took a Chance on this month's mix
of mischief, music and mayhem
down at the Gypsy Hotel with
Chancery Blame and Fancy Chance
Magic Brother and Rib Eye Jake
The Bad Breed and Darkteaser
& the welcome return of Anil Desai
Before, between and beyond, dj Scratchy
Sat Aug 16th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a devilish 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date o9/o8/2oo8
Despite the first sodden day
in the festival's history,
a special late Scratchy set
rocked the dancin'-til-dawn,
packed Wig-On Casino
on the middle night of
this year's Endorse It festival
Saturday Aug 9th:
Oakley Farm
Sixpenny Handley
Dorset
date 31/o7/2oo8-o1/o8/2oo8
After a successful visit in May
Scratchy returned to Geneva
for another couple of gigs
Thursday July 31st
found him back at
Le Chat Noir
Rue Vautier 13
Carouge
From 23.30
The following night,
Swiss National Day
and in the heart of
the Fete de Geneve,
Scratchy gigged on
Le Bateau Geneve
Friday Aug 1st
From 22:00
An All Ages Show
date 26/o7/2oo8
Late Addition!
Scratchy guested with
the Big Bam Boo Boys
for one night, Saturday July 26th
at the Notting Hill Arts Club
for the early set of 8pm-10.30pm
The Big Bam Boo
The Notting Hill Arts Club
21 Notting Hill Gate
London W11 3JQ
8pm-2am
date 2o/o7/2oo8
Scratchy was back for Big Chill Sundae
for the 4.20pm to 6.15pm set
Sunday July 20th
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 19/o7/2oo8
This year the Gypsy Hotel kept
its doors open throughout summer
July's heaped platter featured
The Grit, The Penny Black Remedy,
Emit Bloch, J.D.Smith, Anil Desai,
Ruby Fortune and Beatrix Von Bourbon
Sat July 19th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a devilish 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date o5/o7/2oo8
From Brighton it was off to the Czech Republic
to appear at the Rock For People festival
near the city of Hradec Kralove
Saturday July 5th
Filter Stage 23:10
date o4/o7/2oo8
The Gypsy Hotel mob decamped to Brighton
to join forces with the Born Bad krew
Sets from The Urban Voodoo Machine
and Brighton's The Woodsmen.
Cabaret from Lady Ane Angel, Baby Bones
Baron Chainsaw & Missy Macabre
On the decks the Born Bad djs and Scratchy
Komedia
Gardner Street
Brighton
Friday July 4th
From 8pm to 3am
date 27-28/o6/2oo8
Scratchy's appearance at Glastonbury 08
found him in Silent World on Friday 11.45pm
& Dance West on Saturday 11.30am
YES, that was AM!
date 21/o6/2oo8
Scratchy eurostared it back to Dalston
to check right in to the Gypsy Hotel
which welcomed back LA's Devil Doll
for what was their only current UK show.
The night also featured the GH debut
of the the punk accordion-driven
klezmer of Canada's Geoff Berner.
Up from the Brighton, we had Mudlow.
From our own backyard, or is that haystack,
bluegrass hoedowners The Stillhouse Orchestra
plus that essential extra spice of r'n'r burlesque
from enchantresses Agent Lynch and Leyla Rose,
all topped off with Scratchy's unique mix of Sounds.
Sat June 21st:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a devilish 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 2o/o6/2oo8
For Scratchy's second night in Paris
he debuted at L'Alimentation Generale
Friday June 20th:
L'Alimentation Generale
64 Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud
75011 Paris
22:00 to 04:00
date 19/o6/2oo8
The first of two dates of
Scratchy's return to Paris
brought him back to
la Dame de Canton
the chinese wooden junk
he played on his last visit
Thursday June 19th:
La Dame de Canton
Port de la gare
75013 Paris
from 23:30
Au pied de la BNF,
en face de Bercy,
quai Francois Mauriac.
Metros: Quai de la gare
ou Bibliotheque Francois Mitterrand
date 15/o6/2oo8
They Chilled Out in the Summer Heat.
Scratchy was back at Big Chill Sundae
for the traditional 4.20pm to 6.15pm set
Sunday June 15th
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 13/o6/2oo8
The 'Long Hot Summer Night of 1968 Inspiration' party
featured music from Tymon Dogg and the Quikening,
a Rockin the Barricades DJ set from Scratchy,
poetry from 1968 beat legend Adrian Mitchell
and from Polar Bear, star of the performance poetry circuit.
There was an Exhibition from the designers of the party's poster,
San Francisco's neo-psychedelic silk-screeners
The Firehouse Kustom Rockart Company,
made famous by their work for Jello Biafra and others.
An introduction by writers Lynne Segal and Sheila Rowbotham,
a Roundtable with Red Pepper editor Hilary Wainwright,
Mike Marqusee, Guardian columnist John Harris
and Aisha Maniar of the London Guantanamo Campaign,
plus visuals by Simon Green, rounded off the night.
Friday June 13th:
Offside Bar
271 City Road
London EC1
Nearest tube: Angel, 5 mins walk away
Doors open at 5.30pm
The party was organized by Philosophy Football
in association with Red Pepper
and the Fire Brigade Union
Tickets cost just 5.90
which was refunded in full
if you bought a t-shirt on the night.
date o7/o6/2oo8
After White Mischief
Scratchy hot-footed-it
down to London Bridge
for a late night set,
more like early morning,
at the latest collaboration
between Gypsy Hotel &
Stranger Than Paradise
Sat June 7th:
at The Miller
96 Snowsfields
London Bridge SE1
From 7pm to 7am
date o7/o6/2oo8
Saturday night found Scratchy
joining the studded line-up
at the White Mischief party
Scratchy played the main room
linking the bands til midnight
Saturday June 07:
White Mischief
The Scala
Kings Cross
London
Doors: 8.00pm
date o5/o6/2oo8
A night of the best New Urban Flamenco
featuring El Bicho from Spain
and London's Spanish x-iles Laxula
was topped off by Scratchy
with a selection of latino & gitano sounds
Thursday June 5th
Islington Academy
N1 Centre
16 Parkfield Street
London N1 0PS
Doors: 7pm
date 31/o5/2oo8
Barden's Boudoir
Proudly Presented
The Trojans
Roddy Radiation
The Acoustic Theatre
and dj Scratchy
Saturday May 31st
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
date 3o/o5/2oo8
Having rocked the Romanian Restaurant,
following the amazing Fanfare Ciocarlia,
Scratchy returned there for Club Zigana
Friday May 30th
The Romanian Restaurant
32 Old Bailey
London
From 8pm,
Scratchy at 10.30pm
A Kazum production
date 23-24/o5/2oo8
Two nights back in Geneva
found Scratchy, firstly,
on Friday May 23rd
returning to Le Chat Noir
alongside Afro Sound Spirit
Friday May 23rd
Le Chat Noir
Rue Vautier 13
Carouge
From 21.30
That was followed the next night
on Sat May 24th at Letage
in support of La Decadanse
Saturday May 24rd
Letage
14 quai du Rhone
1205 Geneve
From 22.00
date 21/o5/2oo8
The Fire Brigade Union
hosted an International Night,
'Viva la Revolution Cubana'
at their Annual Conference.
Scratchy rounded off a night
that also featured on the bill
Cuban band, Raices Cubanas
and comedian Shappi Khorsandi
Wed May 21st: 8pm til late
Royal Clifton Hotel, Southport
Tickets: 10.00 - All proceeds to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign
date 18/o5/2oo8
The day following the Gypsy Hotel
Scratchy was back at Big Chill Sundae
for the traditional 4.20pm to 6.15pm set
Sunday May 18th
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 17/o5/2oo8
Despite the wet weather outside
The Gypsy Hotel opened it's summertime doors
to a multi-dimensional line-up featuring
No. 1 Station and Nigel Burch
King Salami And The Cumberland 3
Trixee Sparkle and The Mighty Stef
Chrys Columbine and The Big Fibbers
plus a Legend in his own Lederhosen,
the mysterious Dr. Doppelpumpshaft.
Guesting on the decks was Oona White,
Gypsy Hotel Ireland's Resident Dj
And the night would not have been complete
without the Daddy himself, Scratchy
starting the PROSPECT OF SUMMER Tour
Sat May 17th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a devilish 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 24-26/o4/2oo8
A string of three shows awaited Scratchy
when he returned to Italy at the end of April
April 24th: Madamadore, Forli, Italy
April 25th: Woodstock, Como, Italy
April 26th: C.s.o.a. Barattolo, Pavia, Italy
A weekend in celebration of national liberation day
date 2o/o4/2oo8
Scratchy rolled outta Dalston
and headed off to Big Chill Sundae
for an early 2.25 to 4.20pm set
Sunday April 20th
Big Chill Bar
Dray Walk
off Brick Lane
London E1
www.bigchill.net
date 19/o4/2oo8
It was that time of the month again:
time to put on your glad rags
and trundle down to the Gypsy Hotel
This month's bill was as lively as ever
with a line-up that included
Trans Siberian March Band,
The Dublo, Lydia Darling
Lady and the Tramps, Polly Cupcakes,
Gary Wells and Mike the London Magician
At the controls, Scratchy
Sat Apr 19th:
Bardens Boudoir
38-44 Stoke Newington Road, N16
Doors: 8.00pm
Entry: Still a devilish 6.66
A The Urban Voodoo Machine presentation
date 14/o4/2oo8
Groundation returned to London
to captivate the sold-out venue
and hook up with Scratchy once more
who kept the crowd skankin' before & after
with one of his ska, dub, roots rockin' parties
Cargo
Mon April 14th:
83 Rivington St
Kingsland Viaduct
Shoreditch
London EC2A 3AY
Scratchy was the tour dj with the Clash from 1978-80. Prior to that, he'd been resident dj at the famed Dingwalls Dancehall in Camden Town, London. During those heady days, he spun at all the major concert venues in the city, including the Roundhouse, the Rainbow, the Electric Ballroom, Hammersmith Odeon and the Lyceum, alongside the likes of the Ramones, the Cramps, Blondie, Black Uhuru and Iggy Pop, as well as touring the UK twice with Dr. Feelgood.
After his stint with the Clash, he hosted his own radio show 'Scratchy Sounds' before taking time-out to concentrate on his alternative passion as a musician. Having previously lined-up in the notorious Snivelling Shits he went on to play in bands like Khmer Rouge and Trash County Dominators. In the 1990s he emerged as a photographer and has had work published in Mojo and Q Magazine.
Scratchy hooked up again with Joe Strummer & his Mescaleros and has since gigged alongside Jah Wobble, Joe Ely and Jesse Malin, Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion and Tony Joe White, Ska Cubano and the Urban Voodoo Machine. He toured with the Pogues on their Xmas tours of 2004 to 2006 and has also worked with Geneva's the Dead Brothers, New York's rock'n'roll Globalistas, Mad Juana and the Mexican Mestizo outfit, Los de Abajo.
Festival & International dates include Sziget, Budapest, the late lamented Rock'n'Roll Station, Helsinki and Reggae Sun Ska, as well as Beautiful Days, Bestival and Lovebox in the UK. He has performed on various stages at all the Glastonburys since 2003 including the West Coast Dance Tent, the Lost Vagueness Ballroom and Strummercamp. Scratchy showcased at Womex '05. Throughout 2006 & 2007 Scratchy toured extensively with notorious 'gypsy punks' Gogol Bordello and also began 2007 supporting Groundation. Scratchy is the resident dj of hot London club night Gypsy Hotel.
"Scratchy Sounds: Ska, Dub, Roots & Reggae Nuggets",
a CD selection from his ska and reggae favourites was released in October of 2004 and is available worldwide through
Trojan Records.
NB: for info, updates on gigs, bookings & contact