The WitchDoktors unleash Voodoo Magic in Brighton!

Andy Last – The WitchDoktors

The WitchDoktors

A gig I had been waiting for had finally arrived. The WitchDoktors took over the Prince Albert with SpizzEnergi. This promised to be an exciting night of in your face rock and roll.

The mighty WitchDoktors had rolled into town, arriving in their supercharged Hypnosonic rock’n’roll mobile, with a new set of wheels! The Prince Albert in Brighton was gonna shake tonight! I was going to be spoilt that’s for sure, not one but two of my favourite bands playing live. And hell it was hot enough in there, sweaty, loud and clammy – YEAH!

The Band

The last time I saw The WitchDoktors was last year on the road to promoting their superb album “Voodoo eye”. They have since then had a small lineup change:

PLANET ANDY: Lead Holler, Gretsch ‘n’ Gibson Geetars, loud attire
BIG T: Gibson ‘n’ Gretsch Geetars, B.Vox, Gob Iron, shades
LEE DAIRY PAGE: Bass, smiles, shades and hat.
MR COLFAR: Drum kits. Wild wild wild youth.

The Band: Slides

The WitchDoktors are legends, almost. They first formed up in 1993 and since then they have long established themselves as one of the UK’s greatest, hardest working Garage Punk bands. Andy took a few moments to introduce Lee as the new WitchDoktor member. Congrats to you Lee, you fitted in up there and seemed right at home.

I love being in my home-from-home in The Prince Albert, particularly when I’m seeing live gigs as good as this!

The WitchDoktors have tuned and tweaked to perfection their shows. They grab their audience and, they almost make you feel you are part of the band and performance. They love their audiences and it shows.The audience loves them right back! I had a feeling this was going to be “a ballad free zone”. I wasn’t wrong!

The Set

Singer Andy Last, armed with his silver Gretsch, has a shed load of energy, charisma and charm. “Come closer, come closer” urged Andy as Tony launched the blistering opener of the set “Movie Star”. We did! Tie Me and No Pain came at us hard and fast. Another track from the new album Jack Hammer was next.  The WitchDoktors were melting in the heat before our eyes – it was damn hot, sweat running down the bands faces, and in the crowd the temperature was also rising!

This well put together set motored along nicely and a triple tracker from Voodoo Eye was next 7 days and & 7 nights, Voodoo Eye, and New Set Of Wheels. A perfect mix of trashy 60’s garage and heads down 70’s punk snarl! It was hot – did I mention that? I had popped out for a quick breather – and I missed a shout from the guys. I cant believe I missed it!! A happy Birthday/Thanks shout. Andy had advised the crowd not to give me the bumps or “we would be here all bloody night” – thanks for that and noted Mr Last!. The air-con had now been turned on and things cooled down heat wise, but not tempo wise.

The set carried on undisturbed apart from when Andy stood on his mic stand, which then rocked backwards and proceeded to hit him full in the left eye! It looked painful, but that didn’t stop him.  Neck Tattoo – a classic and then Common Prayer closed the set.

A Video!

A mixer to give you a flavour from a live set in Brighton

The Witchdoktors are exciting to watch. They never let up. I have seen the guys a few times now, 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 a Fender amp blasting out with a fist full of attitude! Hell, just go see them!

WitchDoktors are on facebook

Thanks guys, a pleasure to see you and thanks for the shout and time chatting. The album sounds marvelous on vinyl!

Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.

All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2018.

Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”