Scratch Acid Limited Edition Vinyl Box Set Available March 14, 2025

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On March 14, 2025, Touch and Go Records will release the Scratch Acid Box Set - limited to 2000 sets worldwide. Remastered by Bob Weston at Chicago Mastering Service, the box set includes 180-gram clear LP pressings of all three releases as well as a 24-page booklet featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, liner notes by David Yow, Brett Bradford, and photographer/journalist Pat Blashill, as well as full-color paintings by contemporary artist Mark Todd from the same era as the cover art for the S/T EP and Berserker releases. In addition, this limited Scratch Acid box set includes an exclusive clear vinyl 7" with both tracks the band contributed to the 1986 Touch and Go Records compilation, God's Favorite Dog. The 7-inch includes cover art by Mark Todd as well.

Born out of the early 1980's Austin noise punk scene, Scratch Acid deliberately eschewed the loud, fast rules of hardcore as everything they didn't want to be and embraced a weirder, artier sound. The band's eventual permanent line-up consisted of David Yow on vocals, Brett Bradford on guitar, David Wm. Sims on bass, and Rey Washam (Big Boys) on drums. During their brief existence from 1982 to 1987, the band released 3 records, including a full-length album (Just Keep Eating) and two EPs (S47T EP, Berserker).

Prior to the release of their 1984 debut S/T EP, someone gave Touch and Go Records owner Corey Rusk a cassette of the recording, and he was instantly a huge fan. Rusk was immediately interested in releasing the EP and contacted the band to express his admiration. At the time, Scratch Acid had already committed to working with Rabid Cat Records.

Although Scratch Acid was Sims' first band and Yow's first turn as lead singer, the group quickly developed a riveting performance aesthetic. As the debut EP made its way around the country via fanzines, college radio, and word-of-mouth, the band mounted short tours to the Midwest and the East Coast. While Rusk was not able to work with Scratch Acid directly through Touch and Go, Rusk had begun booking shows with Scratch Acid in Detroit, so he could see them live and meet them. A friendship formed, and Touch and Go Records would eventually release the band's second EP, Berserker, in 1987.

After playing a total of 146 shows, Scratch Acid broke up after the long tour that followed the release of the Berserker EP. Since that time, the band have had many imitators. Many alternative bands have cited Scratch Acid as one of their influences.

Sims and Washam joined up briefly with Steve Albini in Rapeman. After Rapeman broke up, the two Davids formed The Jesus Lizard. In 1991, Touch and Go released The Greatest Gift, a compact disc which collected most of Scratch Acid's recorded output.