Scratch Acid

Seminal Austin, Texas noisemakers Scratch Acid have been hailed as America’s answer to the Birthday Party. And while there are some connections—trivia: original vocalist Steve Anderson, who would be booted from the band before they cut their first record, would go on to collaborate with Kylie Minogue, who would herself collaborate with Nick Cave, who is of course the centerpiece of (wait for it) the Birthday Party—Scratch Acid were even more unhinged than the legendary Australian post-punk band, who always suffered from their frontman’s literary pretensions. Crafting raucous, grimy, guitar-driven punk over three EPs, Scratch Acid called it quits in 1987, with members moving onto other clutch noise punk bands like Ministry, Rapeman, and most famously, The Jesus Lizard, formed in part by Scratch Acid’s David Yow and David Wm. Sims. Barring a string of three reunion dates in 2006, pegged on the 25th anniversary of Touch and Go records, this marks the band’s first proper tour since 1987. Expect to hear all your favourites. Like, actually, probably. They only have 28 songs.

Updated 11/03/2011