Witch: The Hex Is On...And Then Some
Track List
1. Intro
2. Nervous Wreck
3. Damnation
4. Bewitched
5. Wet and Wild
6. Cinderella
7. Can’t Take Our Rock
8. Victory Without Pain
9. 1:45
10. Take Me Away (version 1)
11. Mad for Life (with Rowan Robertson of Dio on guitars)
12. Games that People Play (with Rowan Robertson of Dio on guitars)
13. Playing in the Rain (with Slash of GUN’S N’ ROSES on Lead Guitar, Keith Emerson on Piano, Rowan Robertson on Guitars, Phil Chen on Bass)
14. Black Magic (with Steve Stevens on Lead Guitar, Rowan Robertson on Guitars, Phil Chen on Bass)
15. Pay the Due (Rowan Robertson-Guitars, Phil Chen-Bass, Howard Leese-Keyboards)
16. Take Me Away (version 2) (Rowan Robertson-Guitars, Phil Chen-Bass, Howard Leese-Keyboards)
17. Nothing Last Forever (Rowan Robertson-Guitars, Phil Chen-Bass, Henn Stone-Guitars)
18. Crazy (with Chris Holmes of W.A.S.P. on Lead Guitar, Rowan Robertson-Guitars, Phil Chen-Bass)
19. Conviction (Rowan Robertson-Guitars, Phil Chen-Bass, Henn Stone-Guitars)
Witch is:
Peter Wabitt
Punky Peru
Ronny Too
Jim Warmon
Peter Wabitt and Punky Peru met in 1979 while playing in various bands at back yard parties. In 1980 playing in a band called Ampage the two played Orange County and L.A. clubs and even toured Hawaii in 1881 before breaking up. In late 1982 Punky joined Don Costa in a bizarre power trio called Damian while Pete took up with Special Forces and recorded an EP. At this point Punky and Pete were living at the same house and knew they would soon be playing music in the same band. In early 1982 Ozzy Osborne snatched up Costa and Pete and Punky formed Witch. While there have been several lineup changes throughout the years, the classic line up has always been original guitarist Ronny Too, bassist Jim Warmon, Peter on vocals and Punky on drums.
The band came out strong headlining clubs in Orange County and opening for bands in L.A. such as; WASP, Loudness, Great White and others. Throughout the upcoming years Witch would supported or have been supported by bands like Poison, Slayer, Megadeth, L.A. Guns, Warrant, Lita Ford, Exciter, Warlock and many others. Important Records distributed an EP on Witch’s own label OTT Records called “The Hex is ON”. They also put out a 12” single “Nobody Sleeps”. Witch was featured in an MCA movie “Radio Active Dreams” and they even appeared in Larry Flynts “Hustler Magazine”. These guy’s where known for their on and off stage wild antics that made others like Motley Crue and WASP seem like alter boy’s. This underground band was a force to be reckoned with.
The CD features the entire heavy driving Hex is On and Nobody Sleeps as well as various other anthem type recordings from Witch in the 80’s. Punky and Pete’s final recordings together were in 1997 and are included as well. These recordings were produced by Hearts Howard Lease and feature Dios Rowan Robertson on Guitar and bassist Phil Chen who has played with Rod Stewart, Bob Marley and Eric Clapton to name a few. There are also guest performances by Slash, Steve Stevens, Keith Emerson and Chris Holmes. These recordings are a must for metal enthusiasts, especially from the 80’s! Crank it up and look out-who knows Witch might be coming to a town near you.