Formed during the summer of 1992 in London, Ontario, Scratching Post encountered numerous member changes along the way before solidifying their 1998 personnel of vocalist/guitarist Nicole Hughes, guitarist Mark Holman, drummer Jeff Depew, and Phil Zeller on bass. In 1995, they released their first recording, a self-titled EP that printed only 500 units. When they signed with indie-label Squirtgun Records in 1996, the band released Flamethrower, which was reissued in early 1999 due to popular demand. Scratching Post's energetic power rock achieved loads of airplay on Canadian college radio and their mix of catchy pop and aggressive metal attracted a loyal following. Frontwoman Nicole Hughes, whose high-pitched girly voice belies an in-your-face hard rock attitude, has brought about comparisons to Chrissie Hynde, Juliana Hatfield, and Liz Phair, to name a few. But the driving rhythm of the entire band is what generates the most heat, which was fueled the 1999 release of Destruction of the Universe, recorded in Conshohocken, PA, produced by Rob Sanzo and mixed by illustrious producer Phil Nicolo. ~ Roxanne Blanford