The Scratch

Formed in Dublin in the late 2010s, The Scratch brings together former members of the metal band Red Enemy who channel hardcore energy into an acoustic format. The quartet crafts a blend of Irish folk, punk, rock, and metal influences, driven by rapid-fire acoustic guitars, crisp percussion, and chanted choruses, giving The Scratch’s songs a strongly rhythmic character while remaining close to traditional songcraft. Early, informally recorded videos posted online gradually established the band on Ireland’s independent scene, before The Scratch embarked on club and mid-size venue tours across Ireland and the UK. Their discography begins with the EP Old Songs (2018), followed by The Whole Buzz (2019), then the album Couldn’t Give A Rats (2020), which cements this hybrid aesthetic between acoustic balladry and metal-bred tension. With Mind Yourself (2023), The Scratch further refine this approach by deepening collective vocal arrangements and dynamic shifts within the tracks, while retaining a raw, direct sound centered on the interplay of the four musicians.