Scratch or Stitch

Infobox Album |
Name = Scratch or Stitch
Type = studio
Artist = Melt-Banana


Released = November 1995 (CD)
May 1996 (LP, CD)
Recorded = July - August 1995
Genre = Noise rock
Length = 31:13
Label = Meldac (Japan)
Skin Graft (U.S.)
Producer = Steve Albini
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:abfwxq9hldde link]
* Pitchfork (8.2/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/19826-scratch-or-stitch 4/5/2004]
Last album = "Cactuses Come in Flocks"
(1994)
This album = "Scratch or Stitch"
(1995)
Next album = "Charlie"
(1998)

"Scratch or Stitch" is an album by Melt-Banana. This album was the first breakthrough for the band, as well as their first actual U.S. release. LP versions of this album were limited to 2,600 copies, housed in rubber packaging with a poster lyric sheet and a special Melt-Banana temporary tattoo.

The album was recorded in July-August 1995 by Jim O'Rourke and produced by Steve Albini. This along with a US tour with Mr. Bungle helped establish Melt-Banana as one of the leading new Japanese punk rock bands. Melt-Banana have said in interviews how the audience would scream "we want to see Mr. Bungle", "free bird" and "go back to Japan" proving how unknown they were at that time.

The track list is filled with Melt-Banana live favorites such as "Plot in a Pot", "Scratch or Stitch", "Sick Zip Everywhere", "It's in the Pillcase", "His Name is Mickey" and "Iguana in Trouble". A promotional video was made for "Sick Zip Everywhere".

Track listing

# "Plot in a Pot" – 1:19
# "Scratch or Stitch" – 1:02
# "Sick Zip Everywhere" – 1:51
# "Disposable Weathercock" – 1:43
# "Ten Dollars a Pile" – 0:59
# "Ketchup-Mess" – 1:27
# "Buzzer #P" – 1:46
# "Rough Dogs Have Bumps" – 1:49
# "Iguana in Trouble" – 2:21
# "It's in the Pillcase" – 1:30
# "Test: Ground 1" – 0:30
# "Zoo, No Vacancy" – 0:15
# "A Finger to Hackle" – 0:22
# "Type B for Me" – 0:09
# "His Name Is Mickey (At Least She Got Him...)" – 0:21
# "Back to the Womb" – 2:46
# "I Hate It" – 0:58
# "What Do You Slaughter Next?" – 1:42
# "Eye-Q Trader" – 1:48
# "Dig Out!" – 2:23
# "Contortion Out of Confusion" – 1:39
# "Pigeon on My Eyes (Go to Bed!!!)" – 2:33