Well, holy shite. If you’d have been at DC9 the night of May 11, you’d have thought the floor was going to cave in.
The Scratch is a one-of-its-kind band from Dublin that mashes traditional Irish music with heavy-metal, hardcore sounds, and they’ve become a must-see show wherever they may roam.
The rowdy bunch made its way to the USA this month for a cross-country adventure that will keep them on American soil until the end of the month.
The fifth stop on the trek, The Scratch visited the nation’s capital last Monday night, where they packed DC9 and turned the small space into a frenzy and delighted a sold-out crowd that was beyond thrilled to enjoy this four-piece outfit in a live setting.
Fans had come from way out of the area to be there — one crew traveled from Richmond; another drove all the way up from South Carolina. Several ticket holders originally hailed from the Emerald Isle, and they were rightly proud to be there.
Watch the official music video for The Scratch’s popular single, “Another Round,” via the band’s official YouTube channel:
Playing in Europe to crowds of 1,000 or more, The Scratch’s current trip to the states is seeing it play to crowds of 500 or less. DC9, with its capacity of about 250, was packed for the gig, and the small confines turned out to be a comfy space for the four-man band.
Comprised of guitarists Conor Dockery and Gary Regan and bassist Cathal McKenna, The Scratch’s unique feature is without a doubt the cajón, a Peruvian box drum manned by percussionist Daniel Lang, who also serves as lead vocalist.
In DC, Lang was seated at the front of the stage, beating the living hell out of what was clearly a weathered, battle-tested device, while his mates flanked him to either side and behind. The setup made for a presentation and a sound unlike most acts that make their way to DC9. But this wasn’t the group’s first visit — they played the small club back in 2023.
The Scratch is still young, founded just back in 2016. It wasn’t until 2020 that it released its first full-length album, following two EPs in the late 2010s. Now, the band’s fresh off the release of its third studio album, Pull Like a Dog, and the recent batch of songs is a main attraction on the current tour, which picked up in Boston and will wrap up in Phoenix.
Listen to The Scratch’s latest studio album, Pull Like a Dog, released in March:
At DC9 last week, those on hand heard a mix of new Scratch tunes and tracks pulled from 2020’s Couldn’t Give a Rats and 2023’s Mind Yourself. “Pullin’ Teeth” and “Pull Like a Dog” absolutely pounded within the tight second-floor quarters, setting off a wild night and what was most certainly a busy night for the bartender.
Fans also heard “Cheeky Bastard,” a blasting piece from Mind Yourself, as well as “Pull Up Your Jocks” and the hypnotic “Seanchaí,” two tunes from Couldn’t Give a Rats that both amplify the traditional Irish sound.
As most had likely hoped, the night’s three-song encore included “Old Dog,” one of the band’s early hits and one that helped define its voice on the 2019 EP The Whole Buzz.
It was by all accounts a victorious, unforgettable return to DC for The Scratch. When the dust settled, the band members hung near the merch table or at the bar, greeting and thanking some of their devotees who’d gone out of their way to be there.
Setlist
Pullin’ Teeth
Pull Like a Dog
Flaker
Seanchaí
Excuse
Gladrags
Mother of God
Joxer Goes to Stuttgart (Christy Moore tune)
Pull Your Jocks Up
McAlpine’s Fusiliers (Dominic Behan song)
Blaggard
Cheeky Bastard
Encore
Old Dog
Ace of Spades (Motörhead cover)
Another Round
Below are home-rolled/developed/scanned 35mm black-and-white photos along with digital color shots of The Scratch performing at DC9 on May 11, 2026. All images copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
