07 March 2010 (gig)
18 March 2010
The Underbelly in Hoxton is one of several cool rock ‘n’ roll venues scattered around town and recently, it played host to an array of bands who all had one thing in common: an edgy sound dominated by loud guitars and a kickass attitude. This being a Sunday night, it took some effort to get the crowd going (presumably still smashed from the previous night), however, if there was one band who managed it without effort, it was the WitchDoktors!
The south-London based band are not only truly talented but get audiences going with a sound that could best be described as ‘punkabilly’.
Drawing from a 70’s punk upbringing and influenced by acts like The Clash, Ramones or Sex Pistols, as well as some good old rockabilly and a bit of garage rock and even country, the WitchDoktors are a band not to be missed!
The venue was the perfect setting too, with its interior design reminiscent of a 1950’s burlesque den and contrasting framed pictures of various rock icons hanging on the walls. The WitchDoktors were the final band to go on stage and immediately kicked up a storm with their first song ‘Movie Star’ from their current album ‘$3 Hooker’. Other songs included ‘Dr. John’, ‘Tie Me Up In Chains’ and ‘Mr. Satan’ from the bands previous albums including ‘Razor Cuts’ and ‘Red Hot Needles’. Indeed, the songs sounded just like the albums’ titles – cutting sharp and red hot!
Lead holler Planet Andy was supported by Big T on the Gibson guitar, Zig C on bass and Billy Joe on the drum kit. Not content with just going wild on stage, the frontmen undertook little detours direction audience as well as standing on the amplifiers, all the while working their instruments as if there was no tomorrow.
Songs like ‘Knock Me Back’ and ‘Knucklebones’ further proved that the band not only understand punk, hotrod and 1950’s trash mentality perfectly, but each composition has a 21st century twist to it that will appeal to purists of the genres and newcomers alike.
After several more tracks that truly rocked, the final number of the night was the aptly titled ‘Common Prayer (for the working man)’ – somewhat sweetening the prospect of having to return to work on Monday morning.
You can find out more about the band on www.witchdoktors.com and get their ‘$3 Hooker’ album from various sources like iTunes, Amazons and Napster.
