DJ Scratchy is a UK DJ and selector known for work with punk, reggae, ska and related sounds. He is associated with Khmer Rouge and performs using CD equipment.

Career

Scratchy works as a resident DJ and sound system selector, with links to Dingwalls Dancehall and the Gypsy Hotel. He tours and plays alongside a wide range of artists and bands, including Iggy Pop, Black Uhuru, the Cramps, Jah Wobble, Joe Ely, Jon Spencer’s Blues Explosion, Tony Joe White, Ska Cubano, Los de Abajo, the Urban Voodoo Machine, Gallon Drunk, Fanfare Ciocarlia, La Phaze, the Dead Brothers, the Ramones, Blondie and Lee “Scratch” Perry. He also tours the UK with Dr. Feelgood.

His work includes supporting Groundation on tour across Europe and filling a role with Gogol Bordello that he had previously occupied with the Clash. He is also described as having toured with the Clash between 1978 and 1980, with the Mescaleros in 2002, with the Pogues at Christmas from 2004 to 2006, and with Gogol Bordello from 2006 to 2007.

Style and broadcasts

Scratchy is known for playing “Ska, Dub, Roots & Reggae Nuggets” and for changing, hard-to-predict mixes that draw on rock, Roma music, dub and mestizo sounds. His sets are described as travelling musically from London to Louisiana, Kingston to Colombia, and Bucharest to Bamako. He also works in radio, broadcasting on outlets including Radio Helsinki, BBC 6Music, Resonance FM in London and East Village Radio in New York City, and he later broadcasts weekly on Wirelessfm.net.

Festivals and international work

He appears at major festivals and events including Glastonbury, Lost Vagueness, Budapest’s Sziget, Oerol in the Netherlands, Beautiful Days, Lovebox, Bestival and Reggae Sun Ska in Cissac Médoc. He also plays clubs and venues in Switzerland, Italy, France, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Finland, the Czech Republic and Austria.

Releases and projects

Scratchy’s DJ work inspires the Trojan compilation Scratchy Sounds. He is also a showcase artist at WOMEX 2005 and compiles Rockin’ the Barricades, a download compilation for Piranha in 2007. His release list includes Scratchy Selections Available and Scratchy Sounds: Ska, Dub, Roots & Reggae Nuggets, a double CD on Trojan.

Musical background

He is first schooled in British beat, American R&B and garage rock’n’roll, and he describes his aim as seeking the spirit of Howlin’ Wolf, Iggy Pop and Joe Strummer in the music he plays.