There’s more than enough bands out there fusing together the traditional sounds of Ireland with high energy punk rock, but when it comes to mashing up metal and Irish music, that’s a bit less common.
I guess Thin Lizzy kind of went there to an extent and there’s probably a few others (no, Celtic Frost definitely doesn’t count), but Dublin-based band The Scratch seem to be one of the more prominent examples, releasing three full-lengths since their formation in 2016 and making a name for themselves on the strength of their rowdy live shows. They even recently caught the attention of Anthony Fantano, who dubbed them “one of the more unique acts I’ve heard coming up in metal at the moment,” so they’ve got that going for them.
And while I’ll admit that, going in, I wasn’t quite sure how this was all going to play out in concert, the second The Scratch stepped onto the stage, it was clear this was going to be a good one. The packed house at Lee’s Palace was already very clearly on their side, and the band came out with such energy and enthusiasm that it was almost impossible to deny. Live, The Scratch’s blend of chunky metallic riffs and “trad music night at the pub” vibes makes for a potent concert experience.
Taking to the stage after a lengthy intro track (which they later admitted was not the one that was meant to be played), the Dublin quartet went on to put on a very engaging and energetic show. Touring behind their latest, Pull Like A Dog, The Scratch ran through highlights off the new album like “Gladrags” and the title track alongside older numbers like “Old Dog” and “Another Round,” inspiring numerous audience singalongs along the way.
One other thing they inspired? Barking.
Yes, due to the fact that their latest album has the word “dog” in the title, the band noted that they’ve seen a few instances of audience members barking at them on the current tour, but that the Toronto crowd was among the most prodigious of barkers. They even offered to name it in our honour: “The Toronto Bark.” We’ll have to wait and see if that catches on. In the meantime, check out The Scratch in concert if you get the chance – they’re like the cast of Hardy Bucks gone rock ‘n’ roll.
