Derf Scratch

Who was Derf Scratch?

Derf "Fred" Scratch was best known as the original bass guitarist for, and former member of, the punk rock band Fear.

Scratch played bass for Fear since the band's formation in 1977. Scratch met John Belushi during this time in Los Angeles. Belushi loved Fear and was their biggest booster; the two became good friends and cocaine abusers—this period is well documented in the Bob Woodward book 'Wired'. Belushi got Fear a guest appearance on Saturday Night Live that essentially ended in a semi-planned melee.

After their Saturday Night Live appearance, they recorded their debut album The Record, now a classic punk album. Scratch not only played bass on most of the record, he played saxophone on the song "New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones". Scratch also co-wrote one song with Ving on the album, "Fresh Flesh", and wrote and sang lead vocal on another, "Getting The Brush". Scratch was also seen with the band in the movie The Decline of Western Civilization and on an episode of Casey Kasem's syndicated America's Top 10 TV show.