The Scratch releases "Pull Like A Dog"

Today, Ireland’s electrifying four-piece The Scratch release their eagerly anticipated second studio album Pull Like A Dog, via Sony Music Ireland / Music For Nations.

Their most dynamic and ambitious body of work to date, the album title takes inspiration from Irish Olympic rowers Gary and Paul O’Donovan, who coined the phrase ‘close your eyes and pull like a dog’ in a 2016 interview. “It’s just another way of saying ‘send it’ and see what happens,” Daniel “Lango” Lang (cajón, percussion, lead vocals) explains. “It’s a motivating phrase we needed, at the time, to inspire a bit of gusto.”

Following a striking trio of singles — ‘Pull Like A Dog’ ‘Pullin’ Teeth’ and most recently ‘Gladrags’ — each showcasing its own sonic identity, Pull Like A Dog marks a moment of true definition for one of Ireland’s most inventive and electrifying bands. Recorded in a 13-day burst at Hellfire Studios with producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy (Lankum, Black Midi), the10-track record captures the band’s trademark fusion of raw energy, relentless riffs, and unapologetic attitude.

“Pullin’ Teeth” delivers a thunderous, fast-moving eruption, written while the band were on tour across North America supporting Dropkick Murphys. “Gladrags” taps into the restless loop of modern distraction — that split‐second slip in attention that spirals into overthinking and self‐interrogation, while “Spacer” leans into a melodic daydream haze.

“Roses n Poses” arrives as a moment of reflection and reinvention for the band, embracing change and a celebration of friendship. “I Hope All Is Forgiven” delivers a raw and soaring exploration of grief, setting the tone before the record erupts into the adrenaline‐fuelled ‘Horsefly.’ The album closes on “Ringsend,” a tender re‐imagining of a poem by Oliver Saint John Gogarty, featuring Gareth Quinn Redmond on fiddle and vocals from Susan O’Neill.

Formed in 2016 as a kitchen‐table busking project, The Scratch have evolved into one of Ireland’s most electrifying live acts, boasting viral moments, a RTE Choice Prizenomination, and touring across the globe. Recent milestones include supporting Dermot Kennedy at MISNEACH Festival in Sydney, storming Download Festival, and having their music featured in Netflix’s House of Guinness.

With the addition of guitarist Gary “Gaz” Regan joining Daniel “Lango” Lang (lead vocals, cajon), Conor “Dock” Dockery (guitar, vocals), and Cathal McKenna (bass, vocals), ‘Pull Like A Dog’ marks a new chapter for the band. “As a band, this feels like a new beginning,” says Conor. “I think the changes we’ve faced have given us a lot of room to grow, maybe into roles we felt were off limits before. Openness, perseverance, and positivity – this album embodies all of that. It’s something we all needed and a challenge we needed to overcome. If we couldn’t overcome it, it would have fallen apart.

Following a standout performance closing the iconic St. James Church at Other Voices Dingle late last year, The Scratch were recently named among The Independent’s “Top 10 Bands to Watch in 2026.” They’ll play their biggest Irish headline show to date at Dublin’s Iveagh Gardens on July 4th, while also headlining Momentum Festival in Galway this May. The band will embark on headline tours across the US, UK, and Australia this April, continuing to cement their place as one of Ireland’s most exciting live forces, gaining rapid international momentum. For full tour information visit HERE.