ITCH, THE - Monday Morning 7

Detour Records are proud to welcome back one of the North of England's hardest working Mod bands back to Detour where it all started for them! 

Easter 1992, Colin and Dave Benmore decide to form a band after almost a decade since they'd last performed live together (1980-83) in a schoolboy band formed by Colin around 1979/80.(The Extroverts).

The Itch were Colin Benmore (lead guitar), Dave Benmore (drums), Pat Gallagher (lead vocals) and Mark Griffiths (bass guitar) who released a single 'Wigan to Brighton' in 1995 and an album 'Avenue Parade' in 1997 on Detour Records after a deal was successfully achieved via their then manager Jimmy Pursey (Sham 69).

Pat Gallagher called it a day after 8 years. After an unsuccessful search for a new singer, Mark Griffiths took on the duel role of lead vocalist and bass guitarist. Mark stayed with the band for 20 years.

Several tracks over this period written by The Itch were recorded and produced by Chris Pope (The Chords), Ian Page (Secret Affair) and Phil Hendriks (The Stiffs, Bay City Rollers & Paper Lace).

The 3-piece line-up of Colin Benmore, Dave Benmore and Mark Griffiths had a successful tenure supporting many of their idols at gigs including: Big Country, Buzzcocks, The Members, Sham69, The Stiffs, Stiff little Fingers, Secret Affair, Eddie and The Hot rods and From The Jam ((featuring Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler).

The band also released tracks abroad and appeared on many compilation CD's: Flavour Records Japan, Tribute Records Sweden, Howitzer Records USA, Cherry Red Records. Finally releasing a double CD on the Paisley Archive label shortly after Mark's departure.

After several line-up changes, including 2 more lead vocalists and 2 more bass players Johnny Oldham (bass guitar) did his first gig with The Itch on Saturday 1st October 2016 at The Nags Head in Macclesfield and has been ever present since. In his time with The Itch Johnny has supported Big Country and Stiff little Fingers. He has also co-written some demos contributing bass and acoustic guitar.

Mark Morrison joined The Itch around September 2022 after a chance meeting with Dave in Morecambe. He was known to the Benmore brothers during the 1980-83 period when The Extroverts supported his band The Valiants (who just had some tracks released by Detour themselves). Dave went on to join The Valiants for a short period. Mark completed his first gig with The Itch on Thursday 29th December 2022 at The Arden in Accrington.

Mark also supported Big Country with The Itch at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St.Anne's on Saturday 30th September 2023. Mark has continued on lead vocals to the present day Mark has contributed the lyrics to the forthcoming single 'Monday Morning' and the 'B' side 'Move on.'

FEATURES

MONDAY MORNING

MOVE ON