WITCHKRAFT
AT THE BIRD IN HAND, TRIMDON,
DECEMBER
2000
Witchkraft, who play a selection of Rock classics by bands such as Purple, Free and Hendrix, like so many bands, have been on the go for more than just a year or two, in fact since 1995, and their members have all been in other bands; settling into one's music niché is never that easy. But I believe that Witchkraft have achieved that which few bands have, and many bands are still trying to do — the right members.
Val and I first saw the band way back in 98 and were much-impressed (to put it mildly) to axeman Mal's striking resemblance (both musical and visual) to the awesome Ritchie Blackmore (a comparison which Mal has never ever encouraged but can not deny).
Mal (ex Unter den Linden, ex Mean Mr Mustard) was the focal point of the band and, as future events were to show, held the band together.
Paul (ex Fast Kutz, ex Black Rose [Teesside version signed to Neat Reords]) is now on drums with Dave (ex Spook and the Ghouls) on bass guitar. These two guys are the solid backbone of the band who keep the music solid enabling Mal and their newest acquisition, the frighteningly brilliant Gordy (ex Whyte Knyte) on stunning vocals — and showmanship! So quiet and shy offstage he is an absolute wizard with the mic in his hand gyrating and vocalising from one stunning cover to the next. Mix an early Rod Stewart with Robert Plant and add some brilliant off-the-cuff between-track banter and you have the wondrously original Gordy.
For a time sporting a female lead singer, the band would like to leave those brief two years in the past and concentrate on the band the way it is now.
Now Witchkraft have come of age with a solid formidable line up that will take them to the heights of respectability in the north east live music cover band scene. Of this there is no doubt.
So a live visit just had to be on the cards for me and Val and so we set off one December night to the Bird in Hand in Trimdon to see the band perform in the very cose and well laid-out lounge. One advantage Val noticed straight away was the fact that wherever you chose to sit (or stand!) there was always a good view of the band. And what we remember of Gordy, managing to catch his last ever gig with Whyte Knyte at Consett's The Derwentside what must be, oh, two years ago, seeing him was definitely a must!!!
We
knew of Mal's stunning guitar playing and his uncanny resemblance to Ritchie
Blackmore but this had been crying out to be complemented by a frontman
that could hold his own. And Gordy is a frontman from heaven.
The
band played to a neat and appreciative audience of about 60 or so and the
sound was excellent. If I had to nit pick I would have to say the odd cover
or two had been done too many times by other bands before but, hey, the
crowd liked them and that is all that counts.
With plenty of humorous chat between tracks, Gordy admitted to Val later that they hadn't practised for nearly a month and that they were just a tad nervous. Certainly didn't show as the band stormed through some great 70s and 80s classic rock tracks with Gordy's superb voice stretched to its limits. The lads did a brilliant set and we can only recommend you to get out there and see for yourself the talent of the band Witchkraft. And keep a look out for the unbelieveable Black Night where Mal shows his Blackmore roots!!!
Apologies
to the drummer Paul as he doesn't appear on the photos as I couldn't get
close enough! Val said she'd make it up to him personally next time!!
Purple/Rainbow
numbers include:
Black
Night; Strange Kinda Woman; Into The Fire; Demon's Eye; Highway Star; Smoke
On The Water; Burn; Mistreated and Beethoven's Ninth.
Hendrix
numbers include:
Stone
Free; Purple Haze and Hey Joe.
Free
numbers include:
Fire
& Water and I'll Be Creepin', as well as the old favourites if requested
!
Other
numbers include:
a
Born To Be Wild/Freebird medley; Tush; Summertime Blues; Locomotive Breath;
Pretty As You Please; Sunshine Of Your
Love;
Crossroads; Whole Lotta Rosie and Dazed & Confused.
WITCHKRAFT have topped the North East Band Zone chart regularly throughout the year 2000, including being their first number one of the Millennium !
Anyone
seeing Mal and wondering where the Ritchie Blackmore influence came from
may well find the answer in Mal's Blackmore ancestry on his mother's side
of the family ... it seems Mal inherited more of the talent than Jurgen
did !