Scratch or Stitch

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Scratch or Stitch
Studio album by Melt-Banana
Released	November 1995
Recorded	July – August 1995
Genre	Noise rock noise grindcore
Length	31:13
Label	Meldac (Japan) Skin Graft (US)
Producer	Steve Albini
Melt-Banana chronology
Cactuses Come in Flocks (1994) Scratch or Stitch (1995) Charlie (1998)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Pitchfork	8.2/10[2]

Scratch or Stitch is the third 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 Steve Albini and mixed by Jim O'Rourke.^[3]

The release of the album coincided with a US tour with Mr. Bungle.^[4] This 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", "Freebird" and "Go back to Japan", showing 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".

The album was rereleased in 2024 under the Skin Graft label.^[3]