From Scratch Archive .: The Group .: The Group

The Group Line-up

The group based in the Auckland area since the mid 1970s, the group gained its reputation firstly as a foursome (1974: Phil Dadson, Geoff Chapple, Bruce Barber, Barry Barque) and from 1976: Phil Dadson, Geoff Chapple, Wayne Laird and Don McGlashan) and later, during the mid ’80s, as a trio Dadson, Laird, McGlashan. In ’86 the group expanded to 12 for performances of the complete Parts 1 and 2 of Pacific 3,2,1,Zero in Auckland and Sydney. (see recording credits for performer names) Through the late eighties, early nineties the group included Walter Muller, James McCarthy, Neville Hall, and later into 2000 the group presented new repertoire on many new instruments with new members Shane Currey, Adrian Croucher & Darryn Harkness joining Phil Dadson. Following the ‘98 tour to Europe the group continued as the threesome, as follows;

Recent Group Line-up

Phil Dadson [see Dadsonics section]
Born 1946. Intermedia/sound, video, performance artist; principal composer / instrument builder for the group. Studied Fine Arts in Auckland, majoring in Sculpture and time-based arts. Taught Intermedia at Elam Fine Arts school 1977 to 2001. Worked in the UK 1968/69 with Cornelius Cardew's foundation group for a scratch orchestra. Founded Scratch Orchestra NZ in 1970 and later in '74 From Scratch. Performs and tours widely in NZ and overseas both solo & with group.

Shane Currey
Born 1970. Musician/composer and product designer. Studied Fine Arts, Auckland University, graduating in Design. Graduate in Music Performance Diploma, Ak University. Works as percussionist with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. Joined From Scratch 1995.

Adrian Croucher
Born 1969. Musician/performer. Has performed widely with African hand-drumming groups in Auckland. Recently completed a Phd in Environmental Engineering. Joined From Scratch 1996.