For anyone who hasn't seen this band or even heard of them, Witchkraft are a pub rock band based around the deranged guitar virtuoso Mal, who is a dead ringer for Ritchie Blackmore and has, over many years developed a flawless tribute to Weston Supermare's finest Strat slayer based on the technique, equipment and on-stage eccentricity of British rock's most notorious guitar icon.
In true Blackmore tradition this was a completely new line-up from the previous time I saw them, the bass and drums were rock solid and versatile enough to handle the diverse material and new vocalist John fronts the band with unpretentious charisma while belting out the rock classics with genuine drive and enthusiasm.
One burning question has to be asked, where was everybody? 1999, Newcastle, the supposed rock 'n' roll capital of the world, it's a crying shame that gigs like these are relatively unadvertised when just a few miles south of the Tyne pubs would be packed to watch this lot. Everyone reckons they love live music so they should get off their arses and go along to see it. Of course the thin on the ground crowd didn't deter 'The Kraft' at all as they played a blinder and left everyone there completely gobsmacked by the time Mal had trashed his guitar in a sacrificial frenzy at the end of the night. Consumate professionalism of the highest order.
Anyone who ever stood in a queue for a ticket for a Deep Purple or Rainbow gig should check out this band, they will not be disappointed. If gigs are ever hard to come by, Mal should make a video explaining some of the bizarre moves involved, look what it did for Beverley Callard! He really ought to be giving lessons.
My
final slash before walking home enabled me to be present with other mindblowing
individuals who were spouting such gems as "mega band", "guitarist's mental",
"great pipes on the chanter", just think how many gigs you could go to
with the extra dough you have to cough up for your next Toon season ticket
(they're cheaper in the First Division - ed)? Doesn't bare thinking
about. Check out Witchkraft!
Damien
Trout