Scratch is a jumpin’, up-tempo duo featuring vocals, keyboards and guitar. The duo has a long-standing reputation for making toes tap right throughout the Hunter, as is evident from their numerous pub and club residencies, call-backs to annual fixtures, functions and contracted work with event centres, social clubs and charities. The secret to their ongoing success, apart from the fantastic music, is customer service, experience and lots of fun. Scratch is singer/ keyboard artist James and one of Newcastle’s best guitarists, Steve Cowley. Together they’re unbeatable – the tunes are tight, the music rocks and the audience loves it! James has worked the Newcastle scene for over a decade and there are few places he hasn’t performed. The duo features his frenetic style of keyboard playing coupled with his seasoned vocal style. Guitar man Steve has long been regarded as one of Newcastle’s foremost musicians. His lasting success is due to his obvious talent, his versatility and mastery of all music styles. Steve also plays in trio “The Big Bang” and his highly successful career to date includes session work and on-stage appearances with a range of well known bands, national and local artists. The duo covers all the material that makes audiences tick; rock, pop, soul, funk, disco, jive, jazz, and blues.
Listening Mode
Scratch cover a range of eclectic, classic and challenging music from many diverse styles. You won’t hear a garage band play these songs! Steve’s mastery of so many styles of guitar playing (and so many different types of guitar) are something to behold. His luscious acoustic playing, his sultry jazz playing, his cutting rock style or his electrifying flamenco will all amaze, please and soothe.
Quiet Mode
In a quiet club or early in a wedding reception, Scratch will blend in naturally with lush arrangements, cool jazz, smooth pop or hip adult contemporary listening music. The perfect accompaniment to any special occasion or quality venue.
Dance Mode
Alternatively they can liven it up from the very beginning and really get the place happening. Scratch Me happy cover a lot of the party songs of the 80’s and 90’s as well as the best of the contemporary rock on the airwaves today. Their new acoustic ‘pub’ set features great acoustic takes on rock classics and contemporary chart tunes. The perfect accompaniment to a few quiet (or noisy) ales!
ROCK POP
Mrs Robinson – Simon And Garfunkel
Blister In The Sun – The Violent Femmes
Lover Lover – Sonia Dada
One Headlight – The Wallflowers
Rockin All Over The World – Status Quo
Nutbush City Limits – Tina Turner
Stuck In The Middle – Steelers Wheel
Soul Sister – Train
Copperhead Road – Steve Earle
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Green Limousine – The Badloves
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Just 17 – The Beatles
Midnight Hour – Wilson Picket
Twist & Shout – The Beatles
Chain Of Fools – Wilson Picket
RockênêRoll Music – The Beatles
Everybody – The Blues Bros.
Do You Love Me – The Blues Bros.
Mustang Sally – The Commitments
Roadhouse Blues – The Doors
Love Her Madly – The Doors
Black Magic Woman – Santana
My Sharona – The Kinks
Into The Night – Santana
I’m A Believer – The Monkees
Summer Of 69 – Bryan Adams
Hurt So Good – John Cougar
Saturday Night – Cat Stevens
Paper In Fire – John Cougar
Khesanh – Cold Chisel
All Summer Long – Kid Rock
Suzie Q – Credence Clearwater Revival
Alabama – Lynard Skynard
Eagle Rock – Daddy Cool
Echo Beach – Martha and the Muffins
Walk Of Life – Dire Straits
Three AM – Matchbox 20
Heavens Door – Dylan Clapton
Too Many Times – Mental as Anything
Crocodile Rock – Elton John
Come Said The Boy – Mondo Rock
Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
Wild Nights – Morrison Mellancamp
Walkin By Myself – Gary Moore
Cherry – Neil Diamond
Pretty Vegas – INXS
Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Long Way To The Top – ACDC
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
To Her Door – Paul Kelly
Amazing – Alex Lloyd
Shake It Baby – Jerry Lee Lewis
Opportunity – Pete Murray
Steal My Kisses – Ben Harper
Great Balls Of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis
Shake Your Tailfeather – Ray Charles
Hollywood Nights – Bob Seger
Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
It’s My Life – Bon Jovi
Dreams – Jewel
JAZZ LATIN/BLUES
Torn – Natalie Imbruglia
Late In The Evening – Paul Simon
Smooth Operator – Sade
Evil Ways – Santana
Smooth – Santana
Message To My Girl – Split Enz
Watermelon Man – Standard
Do It Again – Steely Dan
Hotel California – The Eagles
Moondance – Van Morrison
Bright Side Of The Road – Van Morrison
Always With Me – Joe Satriani
Sunday Morning – Maroon Five
Classical Gas – Mason Williams
Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day – Moorcheeba
Ain’t No Sunshine When Shes Gone – Bill Withers
Lily Was Here – Dave Stewart
The Favourite – Directions In Groove
Easy Like Sunday Morning – Faith No More
You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
Black Coffee – Jazz Standard
Alice In Wonderland – Jazz Standard
Call Me – Jazz Standard
The Girl From Ipanema – Jazz Standard
Sway – Jazz Standard
Crush – Jennifer Paige
Feelin Alright – Joe Cocker
Black Velvet – Allanah Myles
DANCE
I Got A Feeling – Black Eyed Peas
Hey Baby – DJ Sami
Little Less Conversation – Elvis Remix
Wild West – Escape Club
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
Blame It On The Boogie – Jackson Five
Love Is In The Air – John Paul Young
Thats The Way – KC Sunshine Band
Celebration – KC Sunshine Band
Kiss – Prince Jones
Black Betty – Ram Jam
Let Me Entertain You – Robbie Williams
I Wish – Stevie Wonder
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
Love Shack – The B 52s
Everything was great on the night. The band interacted with our guests and put up with all of us. I have received only positive feedback.
-Jenny| Port Hunter Conveyors | Christmas Party | Nov 2012
I just wanted to let you know that on December 2nd we finally got Grand Theft Audio on stage after about 4 years of cancellations due to wet weather…. and it was worth the wait. GTA would have to be one of, if not the best band we have had at Music in the Podium. They are great guys and the audience loved them. The music and sound system was fantastic all night..they even asked if they could play longer; which they did until 9.30pm!!! I just wished the weather had been kinder (bitter cold), so more people would have turned up to enjoy them. Looking forward to having them back next season. Please pass on my gratitude to the guys.
-Rhonda Campbell | December 2011