Scratchy Buckles

Update and Rafter video

2010-08-31T17:43:00.004+01:00

As you might have noticed there’s been a bit of a hiatus here at Scratchy towers resulting in a lack of postings over the summer months. The plan is to revamp the site with a regular schedule of postings and even have some mp3s to give you, the loyal reader, a chance to listen to some of these choice music finds and also give a more complete experience of the records listed.

Well, the relaunch has overshot its original deadline, but do not fear Scratchy readers, things are happening behind the scenes. The stockpile of vinyl blasts from the past is growing. They’re being scanned, processed and researched and the conversions to mp3s have begun in earnest. We’ve also been keeping an ear to the ground for contemporary sounds and sifting through the wastelands of Myspace, seeking out some new acts worthy of a mention.

In the meantime, here’s my current favourite video by American indie popster Rafter Roberts, whose song title sums up the inertia that we need to shake off if we’re to get this thing up and running again...

Rafter – No Fucking Around – taken from the 2010 album Animal Feelings: buy the album here

http://www.peppermillrecords.com/rafter/

http://www.myspace.com/rafterroberts

http://asthmatickitty.com/rafter

http://rateyourmusic.com/artist/rafter

Frank Sidebottom - a Tribute

2010-06-21T22:01:00.026+01:00

The very sad news reached us this week that Timperley's finest bulbous headed singer, songwriter, comedian and all round genius Frank Sidebottom aka Chris Sievey had died.
more information here

I had every intention of restarting this blog with an England World Cup theme week, with particular reference to the pick of the finest music/football crossover records that I've come across in my crate digging travels. One of the first names on my list was Frank Sidebottom with his legendary rendition of "Guess who's been on Match of the Day...?" "You have Frank, in your big shorts". Classic stuff and guaranteed to lift the spirits of any music loving football supporter.

For those of you not familiar with Frank/Chris's unique output, read about his legendary contribution to the entertainment business here... a tribute via The Guardian

As Mr Capello has banned an official World Cup Song for the England squad (shame), all sorts of chancers have taken up the challenge and been recording unofficial anthems in the hope of making a few bob. Never one to miss an opportunity like this, Frank had also recorded his own song for the World Cup 2010, an inspired take on the ubiquitous Three Lions on The Shirt with his very own twist. Possibly the only credible tune in this novelty football themed record to come out this year and wouldn’t it be a fitting tribute if it got into the charts. Frank Sidebottom at number one, his spirit performing on the pitch at the World Cup Final, urging our boys onto a glorious victory... well we can dream...

Frank Sidebottom – Match of the Day

Frank Sidebottom - Three Shirts On The Line

http://www.franksworld.co.uk/

http://www.franksidebottom.co.uk/

http://www.myspace.com/franksidebottom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Sidebottom

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2010/jun/22/frank-sidebottom-oh-blimey

Colourmusic - Yes!

2010-04-05T20:39:00.011+01:00

Here’s a track that’s been doing the rounds for a while but it’s still worth sticking up, simply because it puts a great big smile on my face every time I hear it. 'Yes!' By Colourmusic is possibly the most toe tappingly infectious tune I’ve heard since Justice Vs Simian popped up with ‘We Are Your Friends’ back in 2006.

Colourmusic are a five piece whose roots are in rural Piedmont, Oklahoma. They are based in in the college town of Stillwater and have enlisted band members from North Yorkshire U.K and the Marshall Islands along the way. This collective have been together since 2005 and have one album under their belt called ‘F, Monday, Orange, February, Venus, Vunatic, 1 or 13’

Now if that title sets off the ‘wacky’ warning alert, be assured that their offbeat nature veers towards the psych pop experimentation of those fried sonic pioneers The Flaming Lips more than a 'wise ass college rock' sound which this obtuse title hints at.

Their approach to song writing is to underpin some wigged out big beats of ‘geezer rock’ like Kasabian and Primal Scream then mix it up with a classic Sixties pop sensibility. There’s also more than a nod and a wink to the style and approach of that legendary and much missed Scottish band The Beta Band.

So if you need a little natural pick-me-up, play this video and I guarantee that you will punching the air and singing along “moving along x 4 coming around x 4 live it up x 4 change my world x 4 let it go x 4 feel my love x 4 love my life x 4 give it up x 4” and so on until you're beaming with joy!

Colourmusic - Yes! - taken from the album ‘F, Monday, Orange, February, Venus, Vunatic, 1 or 13’

Buy it at Pure Groove, they're currently signed to Memphis Industries

http://www.colourmusic.net/

http://www.myspace.com/colourmusic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colourmusic

http://forestgospel.blogspot.com/2008/11/colourmusic-f-monday-orange-february.html

Alex Chilton - Big Star

2010-03-19T21:27:00.025Z

Alex Chilton of the influential Seventies band Big Star passed away on Wednesday 17th March 2010. He was responsible for writing and recording some of the most soulful and sad songs in the history of popular music. 'Thirteen' is my favourite track that he wrote (along with the late Chris Bell) as well as for many other people, it's so simple yet so affecting and has a timeless quality about it...Rest In Peace Alex and thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Big Star - Thirteen taken from the debut 1972 album '#1Record'

Bat For Lashes - Kanga Roo - Cover Version - written by Alex Chilton for 'Third' album

http://www.myspace.com/bigstarband

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Star

http://blog.allmusic.com/2010/3/18/a-tribute-to-alex-chilton/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/mar/18/alex-chilton-obituary

Rolling Stone Magazine Tribute