“Happiness (In My Head)” taken from the LP | The Witchdoktors – ’Brain Machine’ (One Louder LOUDEST18) 1996
The Witchdoktors | Brain Machine | (One Louder) 1996 | Loud, fast, trash and pseudo-goth in the venerable tradition of Gaye Bikers on Acid or Doctor and the Medics, Croydon’s Witchdoktors also owe a couple of spiked beers to everyone from The Cramps to The Seeds.
Their approach rarely deviating from a substantial sonic barrage, penetrated from time to time by stabs of Vox Continental organ, filthy bass, howling harmonica and the earthenware growl of Andy Last.
They cross Steppenwolf with The Monkees on stand-out track “Reach Out,” and dip into an unexpected well of regret for the churchy doomfest “All We Wanted.”
If you can go with the flow and your volume control is set at 11, this is a lot of fun. (Q magazine)
The Witchdoktors | Brain Machine | (One Louder) 1996
One of those bands who have been around for a couple of years, building up a following without really breaking into the mainstream yet. All that could well change with the release of their debut long player, which comes at you like a scuzzed up Fleshtones jamming with the New Christs. Yep, it’s that good!
If Rob Younger was to hear this he’d wet himself, guitars blare at you from a wall of riffs, ear shredding organs blow your ears clean apart and the growled vocals leave you begging for more.
This is fired up, freaked out voodoo mania which should be lodged in yer brain ASAP. (Buzz Factory, December 1996)
The Witchdoktors | Brain Machine | (One Louder) 1996
Croydon’s five piece The Witchdoktors at last release their much anticipated debut album. ‘Brain Machine’ contains twelve self-penned / self-produced tracks that will make your mind boggle.
Sounding like a cross between Hanoi Rocks and The Fleshtones (try and picture it) The Witchdoktors have a huge, powerful sound, encompassing some very stylish keyboards into the songs, quite predominant on the ballad-esque “All We Wanted” as well as a harmonica.
The Witchdoktors have already staked a claim as a top live act and have now proved that they can cut it in the studio as well, check out “Who Do You Voodoo?” and “I’m Sick” as prime examples of their freaked-out rock stylee.
Leave this playing and check out the fantastic hidden track a couple of minutes after “Tearing Me Apart”, something about a spaceship! (Gig Central, December 1996)
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