The Scratchrock

Album #: 83

Recording Dates: 1995

Release Date: 2013

Catalog: SMR32

ScratchNotes:

We got together just a few times in late 1995 – drinking, jamming, and recording. Some of this is MX Skroch accompanying Redneck originals. Some of this is just pure improvisation. In early 1996 I joined Redneck onstage at the Double Door in Chicago to play “Space Invaders” and a few others. No one recorded that. But hey, there’s two photos from the show!

Three Track Sampler

Track 01 – Space Invaders (MX Skroch & Redneck Exorcist) – A freaking noise rock epic for your soused soul. A loose framework of a song that allows for some intense delay pedal battles, and philosophizin’ about the end of humanity.  [Scratch on Guitar]

Track 04 – Ram Tough (MX Skroch & Redneck Exorcist) – A dark psychological evaluation of the less fortunate (and proud). Does inbreeding always lead to higher Dodge sales? I take the form of protagonist and make it all up as I tell you what’s what.  [Scratch on Vocals]

Track 11 – I’ll Seize You (MX Skroch & Redneck Exorcist) – I believe this is just some improv from Redneck’s practice spot. A bit of melodic inspiration rears its head as Cary’s menacing threats keep you on edge.  [Scratch on Guitar]

Album #: 15

Recording Dates: 1996-1997

Release Date: 1999

Catalog: SMR11

ScratchNotes:

I was getting straight A’s at my joke of a school, but my musical productivity was lacking.  A band formed with Joe G., his comrade Kirk K., and a singing lawyer named Tony.  We were off to a fairly good start, when some thieving bastard broke down our rehearsal space door and stole important musical gear.  The lack of instruments and practice space caused the band to go their separate ways.

I continued recording solo material, but the overall quality not what it once had been.  In April of 1997, I cut off all my hair.

Five Track Sampler

Track 01  – The Woman in My House (MX Skroch) – I lived in a small bedroom down in the crooked basement of the crooked house of the Hidden. We had smeared grey and black paint all over the ceiling, and it got cold at night. This track is about that period of my life.  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]

Track 08  – Hanging (MX Skroch) – Sometimes pinin’ for the one you love can take a turn for the tragic.  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]

Track 09  – Looking For War (MX Skroch) – Ashtrays, Mountain Dew cans and a wood table provide peculiar percussion on this instrumental experiment in gloom.  [Scratch on All Instruments]

Track 10  – So Happy (MX Skroch) – Some folks can never find love. Some folks find it in a few too many places.  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]

Track 21  – Trying to Live Forever (MX Skroch) – Technology as conformity? Life as routine?  Freedom as an act of self-preservation? No, I’m not really sure what this one is about either. But I sure dig all the crazy keyboard sounds…  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]

Album #: 12

Recording Dates: 1995 – 1996

Release Date: 1999

Catalog: SMR10

ScratchNotes:

I signed up at ITT Tech, but had eight months to kill.  Working by night, I slaved away at unconventional pop music while the sun glistened.  An experiment with the future Ms. Skroch was recorded.  “The Monstrosity” was born.

Former Hidden art-boy ‘Saint’ Al formed Redneck Exorcist, and I joined them occasionally to rock out in their metalbilly style and odd psychedelic delay freakouts.  I joined them live at Lounge Ax for a few tunes.  Soon I started school, and the schedule crippled my recording efforts.

Five Track Sampler

Track 04 – Waiting For a Reason (MX Skroch) – Remember driving around when you were a teenager stalking that girl that just wouldn’t go for you? Those were sad days indeed.  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]

Track 06 – Runaway Fever (MX Skroch & Redneck Exorcist) – I join with Redneck Exorcist to form a dual-guitar powerhouse that ultimately sounds like the audio rendition of a drunken brawl.  [Scratch on Guitar]

Track 08 – Grievance (MX Skroch & Ms. Skroch) – The words of Rush Limbaugh. The instrumentation of MX Skroch. The mellifluous voice of Ms. Skroch.  [Scratch on All Instruments]

Track 10 – Virgin (MX Skroch) – This song really creeps me out, which is odd since I wrote it. Despite the seemingly menacing tenor of the lyrics this track journeys into some interesting musical directions.  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]

Track 12 – When I’m Drunk (MX Skroch) – The pleasures and pains of alcoholism don’t jibe well with maintaining friendships that are based on trust. I’m just sayin’.  [Scratch on Vocals and All Instruments]