ION INDIE MAGAZINE March 2015, Volume 10 | Page 43

In the diverse and highly saturated music scene of the Columbus, Ohio Metroplex, few bands have come
out of the gate hotter than local punkers, THE SCRATCHES. Since their first show in December 2012,
they have gone from local opener to regional headliner at break neck speed and show no signs of
slowing down. It’s no surprise when you look closer at their lineup.
Formed from the ashes of various local outfits, The Scratches are made of the members of various local
pop punk, horror punk and surf rock bands. The popularity of these former projects brought in large
numbers of the Columbus music audience and their infectious blend of pop and So-Cal skate punk kept
crowds clamoring for more. Their signature sound is the result of a three-headed monster on vocals.
Guitarist BETHANY MYERS and JIM CASSELL--as well as bassist DARBY ANTLE--combine to trade off
lead vocals and intricate harmonies generally not found in the genre. Not only does this keep the music
fresh, but provides each the musical freedom that they didn’t have in other projects. In a recent
discussion with Myers, she spoke to this, saying, “It goes both ways though. Having someone carry the
lead parts also enables more vocally, be it bass or electric guitar.” Holding all of this magical madness
together is the drumming of MATTHEW JENSEN, who’s precision and punk swagger anchor a stage show
that never fails to entertain.
Until they came out of the gate at the end of 2012, the project was kept under wraps. It didn’t take long
for The Scratches to become one of the hottest bands in Central Ohio. Less than a year after their
formation, they were headlining all over Columbus. They even received coveted spots on some of the
region’s biggest festivals. Myers attributes this success to the professional perception the band
cultivated from the start. Spending time with them offstage, it is clear that no detail is too small. When
asked about this, Myers said, “We were gaining momentum and working on our website, especially the
bio section, nearing the end of last winter. It was our first warm weather season as a band, and we
wanted to emerge with attitude--as if from nowhere. Our band bio lent itself really well to festival
applications, so we applied to every spring and summer festival we could think of. We landed ‘Hell City
Tattoo Fest’, ‘Community Festival’ (Comfest) and ‘Stonewall Columbus Gay Pride Festival’. We were met
with great reception. The woman in charge of booking for Pride said that in all her years booking, we
had by far the best bio she’d read. That landed us on the bill as first-timers.”
In July 2013, the band released their debut EP, “Bite Me”. It’s a collection of songs as musically mature
as it is lyrically clever, proving that the punk genre can indeed age with grace. After months of positive
response, a few tracks have even picked up by local radio.
In just one short year, the Scratches have gone from local side project to Midwest “Supergroup”. This is
just the beginning. What does the future hold for this catchy punk collective? The sky seems to be the
limit.
Listen to “Bite Me” on Spotify--available for purchase on iTunes

www.thescratches.com
www.facebook.com/thescratches614