Latest
News
Jon Lord joins Witchkraft ...
for a
chat after his highly successful Durham Concerto premiere in Durham
last month.
Was this an audacious move to recruit the ideal keyboard player for
Witchkraft???
[20
Nov 2007]
*
A
video of Witchkraft in action has been done by Davy
of Davy's Rock Page:
PURPLE MAGIC
Caught the new look WITCHKRAFT at The Star Inn,
Newcastle, where the band had a much heavier, harder edge sound to the
music they play. Gone the bluesy feel of the Free/Gallagher numbers,
with a lot more rock, in the vein of AC/DC etc in the first. Of course,
Mal Midwood still shines as 'Ritchie Blackmore' with the
second half of the show based on Deep Purple. But a
great night and worth catching, if like me, you haven't seen the band
for a while...
...there's a taster
of the lads in action here>>>
Witchkraft at Star Inn, Newcastle
10 Aug 2007 - Woman From Tokyo
cheers Davy!!!
[14
Aug 2007]
*
Check
out the latest independant review of Witchkraft on our Reviews
page ... this time by Riffs very own Colin Smoult !!!
[8
July 2007]
*
Roger Glover and Mal Midwood
have a drink and a chat during the current Deep Purple UK tour !!!
[25
April 2007]
*
Cliff Massey still standing
after a round (of drinks) with Chris Eubank at Manchester !!!
[25
April 2007]
*
Mick
Hanby is confirmed as Witchkraft's new
vocalist. In the tradition of David Coverdale/Ritchie Blackmore
connections Mick has previously been in a band with Mal ... Unter
Den Linden memorably headlining at the Sunderland Mayfair !!!
[31
March 2007]
*
John
Westgarth has left Witchkraft for personal reasons with immediate effect!
In the meantime Mal and Garry confirm that the scheduled gigs
will be unaffected and the name of the new vocalist will be
announced as soon as possible. Any vocalist interested in
applying can contact Mal, Garry & Cliff in the strictest confidence
by email
at witchkraft@boltblue.com
[2
March 2007]
* 
Cliff in action at The Mill
House at Crook
[photo by Chris]
[24
September 2006]
*
Witchkraft are pleased to
announce
that Cliff Massey (ex-White Noise) is the new drummer with Witchkraft.
Cliff's first gig with
Witchkraft was last Saturday at the Grand Hotel ... not the one that
burned down in Montreaux, the one that's still standing in Bishop
Auckland :-)
For the time being former
Witchkraft vocalist John is continuing to help out until a permanent
new vocalist is found.
[23
July 2006]
*
Witchkraft
are looking
for two new musicians to join the band, Due to personal reasons our vocalist
and drummer have left, therefore Rock vocalist required,
and solid Rock drummer, high standard only. A heavy gigging schedule
is undertaken (between 1 to 3 per week) we have a full diary, our own
l.w.b.
transit, good p.a. and lights.
all calls to Mal 07971410427 or Gaz 07707718831
[5
July 2006]
*
"One
Night in Delft"
by Sabbatica's Dave [courtesy of DavysRockPage]
Right, here's the tale.
having never played, rehearsed or even clapped eyes on Witchkraft I
turned up at the civic centre on Thursday.
They are a cracking bunch of blokes and we left for the overnight ferry
to Amsterdam.
Drunk at the quay before we even got on board.
Didn't sleep at all and arrived in Amsterdam the next day absolutely
knackered.
Got to Delft and set all this gear up in the market square.
Then
decided what songs we'd do and sat and tried to remember the words and
wrote them down /made them up with a felt tip and a note pad....2 hours
worth.
Sure enough, few hundred punters turn up.
Hocus Pocus
start and this bar owner goes ballistic about the noise, rings the cops
and the local council who basically pull the plug before Witchkraft had
started.
So we thought...where could we possibly go at about midnight in
Amsterdam?
Dived on the train, without a ticket, got caught and find 50
euros....told the inspector she had a big arse.(which she did)
So when we get to Amsterdam all the shops are shut..well not quite all.
There was one area still open all night.
It's
a different world..it's almost comic book in it's appeal. I've never
laughed so much in all my days or been so amazed at anything.
Classic lines from some of the heaps of Geordie tourists in the red
light capital of the world..
'Hey Kev, have you seen her..She's smiling at ya..i think you're in
there '...for 50 euros mate any f*ckas in.
'I was the best she's had in ages...she told me..' and we all believe
that such a nice, upstanding girl would lie.
'She looked a bit mannish that one'...what gave it waway , you thich
s*it, was her ball bag.
But this is another(totally innocent by the way) but fascinating tale
(as anyone at the Vane has now been told).
Gets back at about 5am, up at 7, gets taken back for the ferry, watches
England (w*nkers) and then flakes out til 7am today.
Comes home, watches the bairn play footy abnd gets a text from
Witchkraft to say their old singer is ill...can I do it.
2 hours and ten minutes of songs later it's done.
EXCEPT for when I've got all the words to Highway to hell and they play
Hell aint a bad place to be ...so I blagged it.
How
much did the whole experience cost me...about 30 snots in toatl..had I
not been fined on the train I'd have been a few quid up.
Standard of looks of the typical Amsterdam painted lady...imagine
Jolie..dolled up..they're that good.
[2
July 2006]
*
An apology
to anyone
who turned out last night to see WITCHKRAFT
at Laings in Sunderland. After struggling for an hour & a half
trying to get
the power to stay on the band called it a day & packed up. No
matter
which way the pa/backline was wired up it tripped out the fuse ,
leaving
out lights & mains powered effects still didn`t help . Barstaff
stated
there had never been problems before but talking to regular punters
while
resetting the trip for the 20th time gleaned the fact that a few weeks
ago another band had gone bang with a blue flash!!!
Once again apologies to anyone who turned out on a miserable
wet friday
night, the band where equally if not more disapointed at having to pull
the gig
[8
April 2006]
*
It's
official!!! Tom Atkinson is confirmed as
Witchkraft's permanent drummer.
It is fitting that the announcement
comes at a time when the band are receiving rave reviews for their
superb all round performance as support for SAHB at Redcar last week.
[31
March 2006]
*
Mal
in full flow at the recent SAHB gig at Redcar
[photo by Chris]
[30
March 2006]
*
STEVIE
WRIGHT WINS FREE SAHB/WITCHKRAFT TICKETS
Chris, who
organised
the competition for FREE Sensational
Alex Harvey Band/Witchkraft tickets
announced today:
'you would be amazed how many people entered the competition
thinking they
wouldn`t win & not actualy being able to go on the night but
finally 24 hours later
the winner is Stevie Wright of Captain Rock
fame/infamy/notoriety?? Bill pulled the name at random (it was
getting like the national lottery!!)
he was unaware that I have been known to drive/hump gear for Stevie
&
as we hadn`t posted no friends/family entry restrictions it stands
(plus
we were running short of time) well done to the lucky winner
commiserations
to unsuccessful/unavailable participants (I chose numbers
sent to Bill who counted down the list so it was totally random) Roll
on
Saturday. Thanks to Riffs
for the support/publicity
cheers Chris'
Correct answer: Andy is the 13th full time member of Witchkraft
[21
March 2006]
*
FREE
SAHB
TICKETS FOR THE BOWL
Witchkraft
have a pair of tickets for the upcoming support gig with Sensational
Alex Harvey Band
at the Redcar Bowl on the 25th March that they would like to give away
. The question to win them is
"Andy the current
singer is the ??th member of Witchkraft? "
to fill in the blank
visit the Witchkraft
website
click
on family tree & do some simple arithmetic !!! only include full
members
not deps then email the answer and a contact number to witchkraft@boltblue.com.
one lucky winner will be chosen at random (clue: its a relevant number
!!)
[1
March 2006]
*
The Office, South Shields [11
Feb 2006]
*
Lloyd
is finally leaving Witchkraft ... this time for good. His final
gig with Witchkraft will be at the Lord Nelson in Stockton on 15th Feb.
After that gig we will be using a dep drummer until his permanent
replacement is ready to gig with us. As before, we wish Lloyd
well in whatever he does in the future.
Incidentally, Lloyd will fall just short of being the longest serving
drummer with Witchkraft, that title still belonging to our original
sticksman, Chris Landers.
[3
Feb 2006]
*
[17
November 2005]
*
Check
out the Band Interview section of Riffs website for an exclusive
interview with Mal who is described by Riffs as "the creator and main
driving force behind one of our region's most enduring rock bands,
Witchkraft"!
[4
October 2005]
*
A
review of a recent Witchkraft gig courtesy of Riffs website has been
added to our "Reviews" page on this website.
[18
September 2005]
*
The
search for a new vocalist is over as Andy Atkinson, ex-Full Circle,
will be Witchkraft's new permanent vocalist. Andy's debut gig will be
at The Caroline this Friday 22nd July.
[19
July 2005]
*
"Longstanding rock
outfit Witchkraft
are
honouring all of their bookings despite recent reports of line-up
changes.
The band would like to announce that they are no longer using the
services
of former vocalist John Westgarth, but have a female singer called
'Joolz'
who will be standing in for all imminent shows. The band are still
looking
for a full-time permanent vocalist, and any interested parties should
check
out further details on the 'musicians wanted' section of Riffs. Lloyd
Croft
is still playing drums for them to help out with their next few gigs,
but
again they are hunting for a permanent replacement for him as well.
This
line-up of Witchkraft are playing at the Office this Saturday
(16th
July), and it will be the first time that the Office regulars get to
see
singer Joolz in action." ... as reported on Riffs.
[12
July 2005]
*
John
is likely to be leaving Witchkraft at
some point in the near future for personal reasons. This closely
follows Lloyd having left to join Minnikin
with immediate effect!
In the meantime Mal and Garry are hoping that the scheduled gigs
will be unaffected and the names of the new band members will be
announced as soon as possible. Any drummers or vocalists interested in
applying can contact Mal and Garry in the strictest confidence by email
at witchkraft@boltblue.com
[3
July 2005]
*
Apologies
to anyone who made a special journey today to the Kestrel pub in Seaham
expecting to see Witchkraft.
When the band arrived at the venue this afternoon they discovered that
there was nowhere suitable for a band to set up and play.
Apparently it's only the second week the pub had had live entertainment
and last week was a solo act!
[1
May 2005]
*
A
big thank you goes out to Alvin Lee who was able to deputise for Lloyd
at the Vane Arms at Silksworth on Sunday 16th Jan and played
a blinding gig on drums with Witchkraft.
Alvin had been within a whisker of joining Witchkraft on a permanent
basis until Lloyd's decision last month to stay with Witchkraft.
Cheers Alvin!!!
[17
January 2005]
*
We
can finally confirm that the Witchkraft gig at The Caroline tonight
(Friday 7th January) goes ahead as planned. There had been some
confusion following an apparent double booking with Knee Jerk Reaction
also being told they were to play on the same date. However, the new
owners of the pub have today confirmed that it is Witchkraft who will
be playing.
[7
January 2005]
*
Drummer Found!!!
WITCHKRAFT have
found their new sticks man...and "after trying a number
of excellent drummers...", the band are "...proud to announce the return
of... Lloyd Croft!" The youngster(!), who just
missed out on the Maiden England job a few months back and
then decided to quit the music scene altogether, has been back in full
rehearsals, and is ready to play again this Friday at The Lord
Clyde, South Shields!
[1
December 2004]
*
Last
night saw the welcome guest appearance of Mick Kerrigan with Witchkraft
at the Royal Tavern, Blyth. Nowadays Mick can usually be seen
with top local band The Force but he was pleased to be able help out
the lads by doing this gig with them.
It was also great to see Andy Meek taking over on drums for Smoke on
the Water. A great
night was had by
all!!!
[5
September 2004]
*
The
name of the new Witchkraft drummer will be announced very soon,
meanwhile all gigs go ahead as planned !!!
[24
July 2004]
*
Some
new
photos have been added to the
Images page ... about time too I hear you say :-)
[13
July 2004]
*
Congratulations
to Michael, our former drummer, on joining
The
Force - best wishes for the future from everyone in Witchkraft!
[5
May 2003]
*
Please
note that we have a new email address for the year 2003:
witchkraft@boltblue.com
Don't
worry, any email you've sent to the old address should still get
through
to us, at least for a while :-)
[17
January 2003]
*
WITCHKRAFT
would like to clear up any confusion over the gig
listings that
appeared
over the last week suggesting that WITCHKRAFT
were due to play at The Keelboat in Washington on
Friday 1st
November.
The band were never due to play that date - the guy who does the
bookings
for The Keelboat had put the wrong band name down when he submitted his
listings to the media!!! Having only recently played a gig at the
Keelboat, WITCHKRAFT's
next scheduled appearance at that venue is not until next year.
If
you see a WITCHKRAFT
gig
listed elsewhere that doesn't appear on our website Gig page please
check
with us before travelling.
[2nd
November 2002]
*
WITCHKRAFT
have
a new Bass player!!!
Following
Dave
Kingdon's decision to hang up his instrument (oo-err), WITCHKRAFT
are
pleased to welcome Garry Croft as the band's new Bass player.
Dave's
last two gigs with the band were Thursday 18th & Friday 19th April
at The Gold Medal and Keelboat respectively, and two storming gigs they
were, played to a packed house of appreciative fans on both occasions.
Mal,
John & Mick would like to take this opportunity to wish Dave well
for
the future!!!
[20
April 2002]
*
WITCHKRAFT
win
the Quaker Battle of the Bands 2001 competition, voted for by their
customers
as the top band to have played there in 2001 !!!
[24
February 2002]
*
Big
thank you from the band to Rejexx keyboard player Jules for standing in
on vocals for John at short notice at the Houghton Cricket Club on 23rd
Feb allowing the show to go on!!!
[24
February 2002]
*
All
future WITCHKRAFT
gigs at The Surtees and/or Kings Head, Crook have been cancelled
following
the venue refusing to pay the band after their gig on 26 January
2002.
The reason given was that Gwen didn't like the band playing several
Deep
Purple numbers! This is the same Gwen who gave the band six
return
bookings just a couple of months ago after they played to another
packed
house at her other pub, the Kings Head. The packed audience at
the
Surtees were gobsmacked when the band were ordered to stop & leave
the premises! Any other bands with bookings at either of these
venues
please take note!!!
[27
January 2002]
*
New
"videoclip" page added and the Rock Family Tree brought up to date
(sorry
for the delay Mick!!!)
[16
December 2001]
*
WITCHKRAFT
t-shirts & skinnys are now available & can be purchased direct
from the band at gigs - they are high quality black cotton t-shirts
(sizes
XL, L, or M) and skinnys (sizes L, M or S) with a choice of either
solid
red WITCHKRAFT or
cut out white WITCHKRAFT on
the front
[22
November 2001]
*
The
WITCHKRAFT
website is moving and in future will be found at www.witchkraft.net
[14
November 2001]
*
Best
Wishes from everyone associated with WITCHKRAFT
go to Paul Fowler following his final gig for WITCHKRAFT
at the Penny Gill, Spennymoor on 20th July.
[20
July 2001]
*
Here's
the news you've all been waiting for ... Mick Kerrigan, formerly with Full
Circle, is WITCHKRAFT's
new drummer!
[see
bottom right pic on photo Album page E]
Mick's
first gig with WITCHKRAFT
will be at Houghton Cricket Club on 28th July.
[15
July 2001]
*
The
gig at The Caroline on 20th July has been cancelled by the venue ...
something
to do with WITCHKRAFT
having played at Hetton Social Club!!!
[26
May 2001]
*
WITCHKRAFT
played two excellent gigs at The Keelboat, Washington and Mill House,
Crook
in May - the band are looking forward to returning to both these venues
in the not too distant future
[May
2001]
*
Sadly,
drummer Paul will be leaving the band sometime in July due to work
commitments.
WITCHKRAFT
are currently on the look out for a replacement of the same high
standard
(if you think you fit the bill get in touch), and all future gigs will
go ahead, as planned, in any event
[May
2001]
*
Following
Gordy's decision to move on to pastures new, WITCHKRAFT
are very happy to welcome back John on vocals, which means the many
fans
who have been asking why we dropped the Zeppelin & AC/DC numbers,
will
be pleased to know they're back in the set!
[March
2001]
*
WITCHKRAFT
Thank
you from Mal, Gordy, Paul & Dave for all your votes that made us
the
first No 1 of 2001 in the North East Band Zone UK Top 10 as well as
being
the band that topped the NEBZUK chart most throughout 2000!!!
[January
2001]
*
Mal
& Gordy took time out to meet Ramsay Midwood & Randy Weeks who
were over from the United States for a gig at the Live Theatre in
Newcastle
on Nov 5th - great gig by all accounts!
[November
2000]
*
Thanks
to everyone who's voted for WITCHKRAFT
& put us back at No.1 in the North East Band Zone charts!
[August
2000]
*
Riffs
gig listings are back, this time on-line
[July
2000]
*
Click
on the "Mayfair Mall" banner at the foot of our Homepage to visit "The
Ultimate Rock Directory"
[June
2000]
*
WITCHKRAFT
top the first North East Band Zone "Top Ten" of the new Millennium!!!
[Jan
2000]
