Commonly referred to as Scratchers, the Three Lion, Farncombe is one of those rare venues that are still running and hosting bands.

27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes

It’s believed that House, then a duo of Tony Backhurst and Sev Lewkowicz played their first ever gig there in ’76. In the late 70’s Backhurst also managed bookings, among them Duffy, for Scratchers, along with running his antiques business. House wrapped up ’78 with a gig at The Three Lions on 27 December, where they were joined by Andy Latimer of Camel. Early the next year, on 7 January ’79, the venue welcomed The Molesters, and a week later, on 14 January, The Vapors paid The Three Lions a visit. It was also in Backhurst’s time (possibly their 15 April ’79 visit) that The Vapors were ‘discovered’ by Bruce Foxton at the venue. Dave Kelly’s Wild Rats took center stage on 13 May ’79 followed by the 6-piece band, Bloodhound who played the Farncombe venue on 17 May ’79, returning to the Three Lions on 14 June. Before that, on 20 May ’79, Night Rider appeared, four days later, on 24 May, White Gold and then on 31 May ’79, Michael “Nicko” McBrain, now with Iron Maiden, joined and played his first gig with The Volunteers here, having just 3 hours of rehearsals. The next day, on 1 June, the mod-tastic Woking based Squire filled the venue. The band was Out of Order on 3 June, with John Thomas appearing on 7 June, and Little Jimmies on the 10 June ’79. After Bloodhound, House were back on 17 June

The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes

Cutting Edge put on a sharp performance on 7 February ’82. Willy was on show on 8 March ’84, followed by Jake’s Band on 11 March. In September ’88 Van Gogh and the Earlobes appeared, now doubt ‘blowing the blooming roof off’ and just over a year later, on 14 December ’89, Rosettes snagged a spot and Blow by Blow – Is that a reference to Jeff Beck’s first solo LP? – performed on 30 December.

Jumping to the ’90s, The Colour Red played on 11 April ’90. Exactly a year later, on 11 April ’91, Maid in England performed, and with a reference to Jimi Hendrix, If 6 was 9 rocked the joint on 26 July. During August ’91, X-It had a very important gig at Scratchers, not that we can recall why now. Rock Doctors were, on 1 February ’92, the partitioners in residence; followed by The Big Picture on 16 April that year. Then, for the princely sum of four quid, you could have watched The Hamsters on 24 May ’92. We found Blueprint encamped there on 19 February ’93. Who Moved the Ground? put on shows at Scratchers on 13 July and 10 December ’93, then in ’94 the venue was on the promo tour itinerary for the band’s 2nd single: “The Chase”/”What’s That” on 24 September. The Running Frog Mobile recording studio was deployed at The Three Lions on 14 June ’98 to record the Lux de Lux Blues Band, which was released on Gin Mill [CD 1001] having been produced by Pete Newberry.

Sleeve of Lux de Lux Blues Band CD recorded at Three Lions, Farncombe. Source: Doris Carter Richards via Godalming Town Past & Present

Panther, Dr J.J’s Blues Band, The Button Factory, Evening Sun, Big Belief, Cryin’ Out Loud, and The David Raphael Band have all played the venue, and as late as 25 May 2013, Wildfire were last seen playing Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe.

Gallery:

27 December 1978: House at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
27 December 1978: House with Andy Latimer of Camel at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
27 December 1978: House at Scratchers. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
Dave Fenton at Scratchers (Three Lions), Farncombe; 14 January 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
The Vapors at Three Lions (Scratchers), Farncombe. Photograph by and courtesy of Fred Pipes
26 July 1991: Gig Listing from local rag has If 6 was 9 playing Three Lions, Farncombe. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collector’s Records
24 May 1992: Ticket for The Hamsters at Three Lions, Farncombe Image courtesy of: Ben’s Collector’s Records
5 September 1994, Who Moved the Ground?’s 2nd single promo tour dates. Source: Who Moved The Ground?
Big Belief at the Three Lions (Scratchers) in the early 90’s. Picture courtesy of Paul Dreczko