Review by Catherine McCauley for MPM
The Scratch are a band that a good mate has raved to me about for a while now and unfortunately, when they came to The Nerve Centre in my home town of Derry, I was already going to see The Hot House Flowers and couldn’t make it.
Just like tonight’s show at The Voodoo, The Scratch sold out their Maiden City gig too which more than evidences the popularity of the band. Tonight’s gig literally sold out in minutes leaving a lot of fans hungry for more so it’s a good thing the lads from Perrystown Dublin released news of an upcoming Tour including a much desired gig at the Mandela Hall in Belfast on the 26th of September. What struck me about The Scratch, listening to them for the first time, was their canny ability to combine Trad Music (Traditional Irish Music) with Heavy Metal and I can genuinely say I was gripped from hearing ‘Another Round’ on a playlist. Off we trundle to the big smoke in great anticipation with The Scratch blasting in the car.
The Scratch have been combining Celtic rock with the vocals of a progressive band with plenty of mischievous Irish charm since 2016. Three of the members had originally been in a Metal band called ‘Red Enemy’. The band comprises of Conor ‘Dock’ Dockery (guitar, vocals), Daniel ‘Lango’ Lang (percussionist, vocals), Cathal McKenna (bass, vocals) and Gary Regan (guitar, vocals). The lads released two EP’s – ‘Old Songs’ in 2018 and ‘The Whole Buzz’ in 2019. Their debut album ‘Couldn’t Give a Rat’s’ was released in 2020 and its follow-up ‘Mind Yourself’ arrived with a bang in 2023. Their newest opus, ‘Pull Like a Dog’ was released in March this year. The Scratch had deservedly earned US support slots with the ‘The Dropkick Murphy’s’ and also provided vocals for two tracks on TDM’s ‘For The People’ album, released in 2025.
The Dublin musicians have performed at the Download Festival and continue to sell out gigs with the news that their biggest headlining gig at The Iveagh Gardens, Dublin sold out a few days ago. There’s a pattern here!! We arrive in Belfast and it’s dry with a wee chill in the air. The Voodoo is buzzing with a nice crowd outside and inside the bar. The security were ensuring that everyone knew it was a ticket only gig. Personally this is the first time I’ve been to a sold out gig here so I’ll be interested to see how the venue holds up as I’ve been advised with great authority that The Scratch will have the crowd bouncing and there will likely be a wall of death. That will be a sight to behold in such an intimate and popular venue. The doors open at 7pm and as there is no support we’ve been reliably informed that the lads will take to the stage for 8.30pm. There’s lots of The Scratch t-shirts and a few punks in the audience. It’s getting warm and the energy levels are building and there’s a great buzz amongst the crowd.
The four lads take to the stage full of cheeky Dublin charm and gags, arms raised to the roof to greet their ecstatic fans. They get stuck straight in with ‘Pull’in Teeth’ the first song off their latest album. Given that the album was only released a few weeks ago it’s a testament to the lads that the crowd sing along word for word like it was an older beloved tune. The crowd erupt when the lad’s tempo changes to a sludgy yet ear shattering wall of sound and the floor is bouncing from the outset. The Scratch harmonise beautifully with such Celtic lilt and then rock out like complete metal MOFO’s. Does the heart good to see the ladies representing at the gig and not shying away from the hectic jumping and thrashing about. Lango challenges the Belfast crowd asking are we ready and the Voodoo scream and shout to confirm that we indeed are!!
Lango and the lads then take the lead in having the crowd jump to the intro of ‘Pull Like A Dog’ which is a stonking tune and further evidences that you don’t need a full drum kit or electric guitars to blow the roof off a venue. That and the wall of death during the chaotic and catchy chorus – second song in Jesus lads we are in for a night of it. The band then jovially reflect on how the last time they played in Belfast they drank whiskey on the stage and couldn’t keep up with Jamie. ‘Flaker’ sees the crowd adoringly chanting “But sure didn’t he forget to get back to me“. The Scratch have managed to flawlessly incorporate the intimacy of a wee ‘Trad’ session at an aul mans bar into a metal-tastic heavy as fuck set. I can genuinely say this has been one of the most energetic and fun gigs I have had the pleasure to attend. The mix of genres and ages and gender within the Voodoo crowd is a testament to the lads from Dublin. They are certainly destined for bigger and brighter things with the calibre of their back catalogue and their deadly latest release.
With the defiant enquiry of “are you feeling fucking cheeky lads?” and the demand of ‘Belfast get those hips out’, McKenna is all too happy to lead in the hip shaking whilst strumming on the bass. The Celtic battle cry fills the room as the lads treat us to ‘Cheeky Bastard’ and the crowd are deafening chanting along to ‘He won’t stop singing champagne supernova”. The Scratch call for the crowd to split again which the crazed fans are all too happy to oblige including the kickass ladies and the crowd erupts into a frenzied euphoric congregation. The pounding bass of McKenna provides the beat for the continued warming up of the hips to ‘Joseph Ronald Drew’, as the crowd clashes in unity once again and works up more sweat partying along with the lads than attending a high intensity spin class. The unmistakable smell of sweat fills the venue air. It’s safe to say everyone is loving life including the lads who captivatingly tell us it was gorgeous.
Regan and Dock launch into the not so dulcet tones of the intro to ‘Blood and Thunder’ a spectacular cover of the Mastodon track is delivered by the four lads. Dock is instructing us to ‘Move It’ the crowd are banging their heads and pumping their fists. ‘Jesus that one caught us by surprise’ says the lads whilst wiping sweat from their brows. McKenna stands with his left leg perched on Langos bass drum during most of the set aside from when he is shaking his hips and mimicking witty dance moves with Regan. “We haven’t played Belfast in so fucking long -with a new album out we thought play a gig and see what happens – and it sold out in minutes!! Lango humbly and elatedly tells the Belfast crowd. There is the upcoming Mandela Hall gig though which should appease not only the crowd here tonight who clearly indicate that they will be in attendance again but also the unfortunate fans who weren’t lucky enough to get a ticket this time.
‘Gladrags’ is riff heavy with Dock and Regan showing their acoustic prowess with the rumbling and intense percussion seamlessly adding heavier layers of sound. We are treated to another track from ‘Pull Like A Dog’ entitled ‘Mother Of God’ which is a heavy riff laden banger. The cries of the Belfast fans “My Brother, he is drunk as a skunk” rings through the Voodoo during ‘War Of The Buttons’. The banter between the lads and the crowd is hilarious to watch. Lango’s snare was slipping during the tune, one of the crew saves the day with some duct tape whilst the percussionist continued to play like his life depended on it not flinching. These lads are as rebellious and crazy as they are extremely talented musicians. ‘Horsefly’ sees the lads joking that they are still getting used to this one – it’s about not being bitten by a horsefly but also about a session in Vegas which was too much for the Dublin lads. A young lady approached the stage with four whiskeys and The Scratch were grateful thanking the lass and toasting Belfast.
The lads slammed through one high octane song after another ‘Pull Your Jocks Up” and ‘McAlpines Fusiliers’ – Dominic Behan cover which saw another delivery of Whiskey – this could get messy!! Not only were there walls of death there was many a crowd surfer including one lad in a suit. Watching them avoid the disco ball on the roof of The Voodoo is fun. ‘Blaggard’ and ‘Old Dog’ had the crowd singing their hearts out which is goose bump provoking. There was an eager fan with his top off proudly showing the band and everyone the bands motif tattooed on his upper arm. Lango brings him up on the stage to show everyone which the lad is delighted about. A tribute of the late Phil Campbell was delivered in a raucous cover of ‘Ace of Spades’ by Motorhead with Regan taking the lead on the anarchic vocals the lads and the crowd give it lilty – it was a dripping yet heart-warming tribute.
The lads only realising the time announce that they should’ve warned us previously that they’d only three songs left and now they are playing the last track of the night the crowd are lairy and call for more. The lads seemingly round off the chaotic night with ‘Another Round’ The Voodoo is shaking in its very foundations. With the battle cries of the lads and audience this has been a crazy fun filled and memorable night. As the crowd cry for more three of the sweat drenched lads huddle discussing maybe one more tune and Regan encourages the crowd to keep chanting for more. The lads end the night on ‘Latchico’ – it’s a ferocious number and the lads tell us they wouldn’t play one last tune for just anyone – and of course we believe them. The Voodoo muster up there last bit of energy and jump and bounce about having a blast.
The Scratch reflected on how this was their first gig of the new album tour and that they had just realised it whilst sitting in the green room. It was our honour to be part of the first night of their tour and witness their rebellious musical style. The Scratch are a phenomenal live band and they have set the bar high for the rest of the upcoming gigs this year. Be sure to pick up a ticket for The Mandela Hall I can assure you that you will not be disappointed – act quick as this will no doubt sell out. You will leave hungry for more!!
For full tour information, visit HERE.
THE SCRATCH – 2026 NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
May 8, 2026 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
May 9, 2026 – New York, NY – Racket NYC
May 10, 2026 – Philadelphia, PA – Milkboy
May 11, 2026 – Washington, DC – DC9
May 13, 2026 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
May 14, 2026 – Detroit, MI – Lager House
May 15, 2026 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean
May 16, 2026 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St. Entry
May 18, 2026 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater
May 19, 2026 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court
May 20, 2026 – Boise, ID – Shrine Social Club
May 22, 2026 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
May 23, 2026 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
May 24, 2026 – Seattle, WA – Sunset Tavern
May 27, 2026 – San Francisco, CA – Brick & Mortar Music Hall
May 28, 2026 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo
May 29, 2026 – San Diego, CA – Voodoo Room at the House of Blues San Diego
May 30, 2026 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live
LISTEN TO THE TITLE TRACK HERE
AND THE NEW SINGLE “CRACKS” HERE
THE SCRATCH RELEASE THIRD ALBUM PULL LIKE A DOG‘ LISTEN HERE
