The Witchwood - A history

[Jim]

Hi everyone!
OK, so I need your help, I want to write a really good history page of The Witchwood. I have lots of info, but would love input from everyone who over the years has made this place the very very best place to come for miles around.
I am passionate about The Witchwood, I have been around it for all of my adult life, as have many others, we have a rich history like no other venue in the area, a history that cannot be faked.
I know that Muse, Ash, The Stone Roses and many others have played here over the years, so any info at all about 'important' gigs is very welcome, and if anyone has pics of any of those events then all the better!
Any contributor will be credited of course.
I need info on anything and everything important, good or bad, it doesn't matter, it will all be considered and hopefully put together on an easy to read page so that the lovers of The Witchwood can read and smile, and the detractors of The Witchwood can read and weep, wishing they had our rich history.
I know Mr Poyzer has lots of info, maybe he could get in touch? Pod, you too!
OK, that's it from me for now, let's get people together to exchange stories, I am really looking forward to this!
Thanks,
Jim

[GetBeddoe]

"I know that Muse, Ash, The Stone Roses and many others have played here over the years"

And what about Magnum? When the stadium giants played the Witchwood, there were unprecedented lines of beardy men queuing down the street, all eager to part with the wopping £11 entrance fee to 'start talking love'  and air punching greatness ensued.

Another stonking couple of gigs when the Jellys and the YoYo's (both formerly members of the Wildhearts) played there. I think it was the Jellys with Danny (complete with legendary sick bucket) that Jon Bradleys old band Airlock supported (actually, it might have been both! - will check with John). Great gigs anyway, fookin' loud - And as great as Johns band were (and they were bloody great) you could tell the difference a few quid makes when a pro outfit, complete with real Les Pauls and Marshal stacks, take to the stage. Wallop . . . .  .BIG BIG sound that night.

Some great local bands in there as well, bit of an understatement that as I firmly believe Ashton/Tameside has such a strong band scene/history because of the Witchwood, it's always been a spiritual home for Musicians. In true old fart style, it's not like it were in my day . . . but there's still a healthy proportion of local bands around here to go see and that is encouraging.

eeh, back in the good old days the Podfather could get you anything you needed for 'fifty notes' . . . . . . 

First time I saw the Whistle Blowers was at the Witchwood and I was in awe.

I enjoyed watching the Bong keyboard player making toast live on stage whilst still playing the keys. It was an unusual stage antic but the free toast always went down well with the crowd. I also recall the lead singer conducting a rousing chorus of 'Bong! Bong! Bong are crap!' one Thursday night. Such self depreciating wit the likes of which, no longer grace our stage *sigh*

Cant forget Smile Like Fools either and it was great to see Wilson back on stage this year . . . .

 . . . Think I remember a fairly mad rowdy bunch called Fat Stalker as well, remember them at all Jim?

Our first Band Valve had their 'big break' in the Witchwood too in the early 90's. After our debut gig at the Hyde Bank Holiday 'open air festival' (snigger), the Witchwood opened its doors to us and we haven't stepped away since.

Some bands are born great, Some bands achieve greatness and some bands have greatness thrust apon them . . . .and some bands tootle along, find a nice little venue with a conveniantly placed bar, great dJ's and a general 'rowdy raw rawk n roll' vibe and never ever leave

The great Dazzy P once wrote in the Witchwood magazine,  and I quote:

"Valve, sometimes good, sometimes shit"

On reflection, an accurate and observant comment . . . . 

I hope the Witchwood is always there, not least because it's convenient for a pint on tuesday nights after rehearsal, but for generations of little people to grow up and discover. Without the Spread Eagle, King Bill or Red Lion, The Witchwood is the only bastion for the rockers, Indie kids, Goths, Punks, Musicians and anyone else who just doesnt want to hear fuckin' Scooter or Cascada blurtin' out at them on a night out.

 

[GetBeddoe]

p.s - Dan Adams posted a cracking photo on facebook the other day of an old Whistleblowers gig. The crowd is a who's who of human Witchwood furniture. I'll see if I can download it for you and send over.

[GetBeddoe]

p.p.s - The death of the traditional Witchwood Weekend?

Tribute bands - Sorry but it was.

Glad to see a sort of revival these days but Friday and Saturday nights used to be about great local bands and the occasional 'big' name or emerging semi pro acts. We all used to pay on the door every single week and rarely did we know who was playing (because we didnt check) it was just a given that there would be a strong band on. It's Saturday night innit, of course there'll be a good band on!

As soon as Stax of Soul became a regular act, and the ACDC, Thin Lizzy, Queen, Metallica etc  tribute acts became the norm, the regular crowds dispersed somewhat. Nothing against any of these type of bands and some of them are storming to watch, but it did kill off the thriving local vibe and I think that underlying local vibe kept the witchwood buzzing.

shutting up now!

[Jim]

Keep going!
Lots of good stuff there, which gave me an idea.
I can set up a wiki page where we can all log in and edit pages etc to add or ammend stuff, good idea?
Also, as regards the cover bands on at weekends, well for a long while now we have only had young upcoming bands on on a Friday, but Saturday yeah, some tribute acts do play.
This is because there are some properly good tribute acts on our books now and also due to a lack of local talent on that night signing up to play. Not to mention the state The Witchwoods Saturdays were in when we took over the joint. We try to mix it up by bringing people like UK Subs etc to Saturdays where we can.
Talking of Stax of Soul, they bought and paid for the Witchwood's back venue to be built, so to me they will always rock!
Me personally am all about the local bands (That's why I am sorting the battle of the bands etc etc) and always look to build a good healthy local scene, and keep it good.
You have brought up spme great memories there, cheers man, and any input in the Wiki idea welcome!

[GetBeddoe]

Hey Jim,

As I say, no disrespect at all to the acts themselves as I've enjoyed many of them myself on many occasion!  - I just noticed a change in attitude/attendance when more and more tribute acts were on the bill (Im' going back a good few years ago now though).

I'd say things a the Witchwood have been getting better for a while now - all down to the hard work you lot put in - It's just a personal thing I suppose . . . Live music is live music and it should always be applauded.

 

[Jim]

Amen to live music being applauded
Also, ta very much for saying that about our hard work, it is very tough sometimes, very very - but with the people here now I can say I reckon The Witchwood is in good hands, everyone here works hard, probably harder than they should to make this place work.
Anyways, I just looked at our Saturday bookings and I think it's a healthy mix of new bands, old punks and decent tributes and on Fridays we have a total ban on tributes, just cool original bands there, so all in all I think we are heading in the right path.
Sooo, back on topic, I need some dates and erm, facts and stuff...
Still, they will come, I am sure!

[theeodds]

The Witchwood has a very special place in my heart. I started going 20 years ago and have been a regular visitor and played on the stage a few times when I was in The Beagles and Kangaroo.

Things that come to mind, for me, are:

Bong gigs - yes, I was a fully paid-up Bong Mong. They were fucking legendary and definitely an inspiration throughout my 'adult' life. Went up to Glasgow with them once - scarred for life.

Sunday Jams - full of lovely biker/rocker types in the late 80s/early 90s. Hearing Roadhouse Blues sung by unlikely looking rockers from Droylesden still fills my heart with joy. I remember jumping onstage when I was 16, when a bald, ginger guy was performing 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and 'helped' him out with the backing vocals.

Posters - with No Drugs, No Dickheads on advertising bands like Raging Kipper, Moth, Realm Of The Shopping Trolley, Inca Hoots, Smile Like Fools, Think Tank, Willum Wozzum Billum Bozzum etc.

Darren Poyzer - as a singer/songwriter, he does make a good promoter. He was irrepressible in his day and definitely put the Witchwood on the map.

Pod - Ace promoter, if somewhat challenged in witty repartee.

[Biker Steve]

Does anyone recall Rattie the doorman, a lengend in his own underpants!!!!!

[GetBeddoe]

Andy Redfearn you mean? Yep still converse with him on facebook and he's still riding bikes and whatnot - surprisingly a Suzuki Bandit! - Who'd a thunk it?   

[Jim]

Rattie is a stunner, he looks the dogs in nylon.