The Witchdoktors: Surgery is open – Izzatso!

The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Rock n’ Roll will not die or fade away! Well, not as long as The WitchDoktors are around! Rolling into town with new songs and The Noir Mates.

An Alternative Gathering presents: The WitchDoktors and The Noir Mates
The Prince Albert, Brighton, 30 November 2025

The WitchDoktors

The WitchDoktors are your number one source of supercharged hypnosonic rock’n’roll.

Few things excite me these days more than Christmas and birthdays, except a new release from the audacious and flamboyant WitchDoktors! The WitchDoktors have brewed up a special medicinal potion for this one, a new album IZZATSO? The gang have rolled into town with a new set of tunes and were set to unleash them onto the sizeable Prince Albert crowd.

The Set

We are offered a satisfying serving of Trashy glam punk rock n roll played loudly through proper loud amps with real rocking instruments, all topped off with big “gang” vocals. The vocals mainly from the band but the Prince Albert crowd joined in!

Songs from the new album in the set included Lightning Strike, Planet Of Pain, Spanner In The Works, One Shot, High, Dry & Burned, Freedom Fighter, Jezebel, and Before The War. A great taster of the new songs from the new album IZZATSO? Bangers, all of them!

The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They cracked open their set with a new one, Lightning Strike. They rocked this track! Those wonderful screaming guitars and the rest of the band piling in perfectly.  Oh yes! Singer Andy Last, as ever, armed with his silver Gretsch, has a shed load of energy, charisma and charm. And he leads from the front! Loud, fast and tight. No weepies or “fillers” just pure in your face joyous rock and roll.

The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The sublime Spanner in The Works is a switch in style and sound, the guys come together to give us an almost Clash punk/ska vibe sadly no horns or keys as heard on the new album version.

The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

We are given, courtesy of Lee, throaty throbbing bass lines, two wonderful crunchy guitars from Andy and Tony, muscular vocals from Andy and the entire band, and a cheek tightening drumming display form Joe. Put it all together and they hit that sweet spots including the new song Jezebel and a crowd favourite Jackhammer.

The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The WitchDoktors had us; they were not going to stop. As each song came to an end Joe would be on his feet clenching his fist and stirring up the crowd.

Drums sparked up from Joe and a gut pounding bass guitar line filled the room from Lee, Voodoo Eye just calls for audience participation, Andy and Tony hit their guitars hard breaking into this song, and this one got the crowd going as we joined in with the spoken/whispered tag “voodoo eye….. voodoo eye”!

Closing the set was the new crowd favourite, the punchy Before The War with a fantastic chorus bursting with energy, it’s simply a triumphantly regal blast and the crowd loved it. Great to see Tony and Tony doing their guitar work.

Its Two Tone!

The MC, radio DJ Griff Griffiths, stepped back up on stage and led the crowd into the chant of “One More Song”, The guys obliged and delivered their own style of medication in a melting cover of Neat Neat Neat. The other Tony stayed behind to help WitchDoktor Tony, as Andy quipped, time for two Tone!

Griff Griffiths: The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

We were lucky to witness a crucial nugget of WitchDoktors goodness this afternoon, displaying their song writing prowess, style and live performance at its best.

IZZATSO?

IZZATSO? Well, it’s an album overflowing with great songs and some ideal candidates as potential singles! It’s all there, it’s a cracking release, a heady dose of styles that work really well, making this the best WitchDoktors album thus far since Voodoo Eye!

Thanks guys! Wonderful! “It’s WitchDoktors! with a fkin K!” for Y’alls!” screamed Andy with a towel over his face!

The WitchDoktors – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

I can tell you – Rock n’ Roll will not die or fade away! Well, not as long as The WitchDoktors are around doing what they do! The WitchDoktors are exciting to watch. They never let up and always leave you wanting more. These guys are the real deal with a fistful of great songs. The band give you a show that is dirty, raw and delivered by amps blasting out a fist full of attitude! If you have not seen the Doktors yet, get yourself an appointment now!

A VIDEO! Before The War – LIVE!

The WitchDoktors are on Facebook – right here!

The NOIR MATES 

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

NOIR MATES “a darkly voyeuristic journey into the minefield of modern living”. Think of Doors, Waits and Beefheart and you might get close.

These guys were new to me, but many of the attendees at The Prince Albert clearly knew this outfit and their material. They have been playing around Brighton for a while now.

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Noir Mates came to the stage, and in an atmospheric way began the hour long musical journey. The lead singer brooding under a large hat and reflective sunglasses. He poured it all into the performance, whilst adjusting his sounds on the soundboard at his feet.

The Noir Mates set about to deliver an urgently mesmeric, intense and ominous set woven together with hypnotic, reverb-laden soundscapes and all to a deep, constant, driving beat. Avant Garde, jarring and disruptive.

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Noir Mates performance this afternoon has to be heaped with praise for their unique and powerful sound. This was at times high-energy and powerful, emphasising the band’s unique vocal styles and some finely guitar riffs, bass playing and some nice patterns and fills from the drum kit.

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Clearly the audience was at times totally captivated as the set progressed, almost entranced as the rhythms flowed, a unique performance.

The music was a blend of rock, blues, and maybe a touch of almost avant-garde jazz. It was at times both complex and at times almost chaotic all led by their charismatic front man.

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

This live performance opened up with Noir Mates, and went on to include BBC, Violet, Reaching Out My Hand and Sticky Red Fingers. These tracks definitely showcased the band’s ability to handle intricate arrangements and powerful music creating tension and a sense of motion in their compositions.

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

We had elaborate themes and a punkier edge fused with avant-garde sounds and maturity, and at times the bass line suggesting a groove!. The vocals, at times heavily FX’d up articulate with bite before giving way to shards of electric guitar, while the bass and drums work together with a counterpoint to the vocals and guitar.

The Noir Mates: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

An interesting and enjoyable performance, and hopefully I may get to see them again soon.

The Noir Mates are on Facebook – check them out!

There are plenty of friends in attendance, along with the regular pub-goers, and everyone seemed to be having a great time. The PA sound is great, nice one Jon, and the bands played great sets, a fabulous Sunday afternoon.

And Finally...

Thanks to The WitchDoktors, The Noir Mates and Andy Cavendish.

A Huuuge shout out to Andy C and An Alternative Gathering

Words and photos by Ian Bourn.

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