Gig review: The Scratch at Rescue Rooms

It can be argued that The Scratch are something of an anomaly. Blending both Irish traditional folk music and high-octane heavy metal, the four-piece from Dublin pour their hearts and soul forging art that's quite frankly, extremely undocumented.  Following on from the departure of guitarist Jordan O'Leary (who went on to tour with The Pogues), the band outgrew their former shape and refined a slicker sound of acoustic/electronic, folk/metal that soon turned out to be their third album, Pull Like a Dog. As a band, it certainly feels like a new beginning.

This new beginning has to start somewhere, and where better than on the road?

Their UK leg of the tour first saw them in SWG3, before hitting Manchester and Bristol, temping up the flares and empowering community from city to city. Then, it was our turn - the full force of the Irish were coming to town.

At the venue, the tension was palpable. There felt a distinguishable sense in the air that we were in for in something special tonight. And that wasn't just the Guinness talking; that was a mutual understanding from every metalhead to folk enthusiast in that 450-capacity room.

Accompanying them were fellow band of brothers The Wran. Hailing from the Comeragh Mountains, their aim was similar, too. Dedicated to keeping the Irish language alive through traditional stories, The Wran wove trad and punk into something that was as powerful as it was heart-wrenching. A perfect collective to walk down the same path as our Dublin headliners, the audience were left with their words caught in their throats, seemingly dazzled. A whistle-stop tour in Irish folk schematics, it was the perfect way-in to these two pulling the threads of traditional folk and making them uniquely their own. Then their compatriots followed.

Atop a sizeable cajon, sat Dan Lang wedged rods in hand. Roars from the crowd accompanied the first toke of electronic/acoustic combo as the band threw themselves into Pullin' Teeth - a new era for the four had begun. Flailed pints disappeared into a slew of wired limbs and newly formed companions hand-in-hand almost like they had been friends forever. There's no one else who does it better than the Irish. As they blitzed through a timeless setlist of classics such as Flaker and Excuse, that sense of camaraderie prevailed stronger than ever. Each of us was operating as one giant energy ball, one triumphant force just extremely fortunate to bear witness to such a moment.

The new record got plenty of playtime and was welcomed with open arms by all - the new beginning was looking to have paid off. Familial favourites from 2023's Mind Yourself reverberated against all corners. It was combative but assuredly inspiring, like an old friend giving you some old tough love.

But in moments of cathartic release, there are moments of quiet. A pause for thought gives Conor Dockery a moment to commemorate his late father with an acoustic tale of McAlpine's Fusiliers, a Dominic Behan cover. A beautiful rendition and a reminder that these lads are extremely talented musicians. Then came the encore that I don't think anyone was ready for.

Acoustic triumph Old Dog spun into an Ace of Spades cover before bombastic anthem Another Round saw out a night that was not like any other. As the final chords waned out and the house lights flickered up, I stood there for a brief moment and took it in once more. A sound like nothing I've heard before, The Scratch came, saw and conquered in an Irish vanquish. One for the record books, me thinks.

The Scratch performed at Rescue Rooms on 29th April 2026.

@thescratchmusic