January 20, 1984
Hollywood, California
The Roxy
Headline Act: Malice
Opening Acts: Odin, Lizzy Borden
This show was chosen by WASP founder Blackie Lawless to be Punky's audition show for WASP. Having just fired original drummer Tony Richards, Blackie had approached Punky about taking Tony's place. Punky never agreed to do it, but he couldn't stop Blackie from coming to the show. If you talk to Punky, he'll tell you that Blackie offered him the WASP job in the Roxy dressing room following this show but he turned it down. However, according to Jim, Punky was not offered the job because Blackie was not happy with what he had seen that night. Either way, Punky was still firmly in WITCH. (photo by David White)
January 21, 1984
Anaheim, California
Radio City
February 2, 1984
WITCH Canceled
Costa Mesa, California
The Concert Factory
Headline Act: Michael Schenker Group (MSG)
Opening Act: Mondo Cane
For the first time in their career, WITCH were forced to cancel a booking. After MSG loaded in their gear and set up for soundcheck, they had such a large amount of gear that there was no room for the opening bands. WITCH and MONDO CANE, all at the venue and waiting to load in, were told they would not be playing. MONDO CANE's manager, Shawn Perry, remembers it this way: "I remember that night well. They rebuilt the
stage for Schenker and after he set up and did a sound check, he refused
to tear down his gear for Witch and Mondo Cane. To make matters worse,
the venue over-sold the venue and MSG didn't go on until 11:00. After he
played, the place cleared, and to my recollection, neither Witch or
Mondo Cane played. MSG's manager was apologetic and gave me 10 passes
for their show the next night at the Country Club. We turned around and
sold them."
February 3, 1984
Hollywood, California
The Troubadour
Headline Act: Rhoads
Headliner RHOADS featured Kelle Rhoads, the older brother of OZZY OSBOURNE/QUIET RIOT guitar ace Randy Rhoads, and future MEGADETH drummer Nick Menza.
February 11, 1984
San Pedro, California
The Dancing Waters Club
Headline Act: SIN
Opening Act: Stone Tiger
The Dancing Waters Club got its name because of the large, real waterfall directly upstage center.
February 17, 1984
Hollywood, California
The Troubadour
Opening Acts: Rhoads, Beowulf
This show represents the first time WITCH headlined in Hollywood.
Future WITCH guitarist Scott Rickett saw a Troubadour WITCH show early on in the band's career. Scott was on tour with MERCENARY at the time who were also doing shows in L.A., and he was told by a friend that he had to see this great local band named WITCH. Scott remembers it was a headlining show and the Troub was packed to the rafters with a long line of people outside trying to get in. When WITCH went on Scott said they absolutely blew his mind and he felt like he was seeing a band at the Forum. Two-and-a-half years later Scott would join WITCH.
March 3, 1984
Anaheim, California
Radio City
This is likely the show where Ronny caught on fire. At this time, the band used so much pyro on stage that they had to have an FX rehearsal a day or two before each gig, but Ronny decided that he did not need to attend the rehearsal for this show. This night, in the wrong place at the wrong time, the flame cannons went off on cue and completely engulfed Ronny in fire. He was wearing--for the first time--a custom made, one-piece red costume made of plastic, and the heat of the flames melted the plastic to Ronny's skin over his entire body. Above is WITCH and part of their pyro display at Radio City sometime in early 1984. Pyro technician Rich Paris--in a red WITCH shirt--can be seen setting off the cannons on the right side of the picture. Later in the year the band would set the ceiling of a club on fire without any major damage or injury, but looking at the photo above it's a wonder that they never burned a club to the ground. (photo courtesy Punky Peru)
It is around this time WITCH entered Sound Affair Studios in Santa Ana to finish recording what would become their first e.p., THE HEX IS ON. With Sound Affair Studios owner Ron Leeper engineering, the band recorded "Wet n Wild" and "Blond Alert" (although, unfortunately, this song would eventually be dropped before the e.p. went to press) and re-recorded "Cinderella (In Black Leather)." Using the masters from their first recording session back in July of 1983 consisting of "Bewitched," "Nervous Wreck," and "Damnation," the final mixing sessions for THE HEX IS ON were held at United Recording Studios in Hollywood. It should be noted that the original recording of "Cinderella (In Black Leather)" from July 1983 has been lost, as have all of the masters for this e.p.
WITCH's reputation on the L.A. metal scene was growing fast. An audio recording recently surfaced of SIN performing on March 10 at The Troubadour. Their vocalist, Art Deresh, announces that SIN will be playing again at the Troubadour on May 4 and 5 with "WITCH, son of a WITCH, and the daughter of WITCH, featuring Punky, star of stage, screen and the Troubadour bathroom." Punky's antics in that bathroom are legendary, even this early in the band's career.
At the beginning of April WITCH was featured on radio station KLOS's "Local Music Show." The station played three songs from the newly-completed THE HEX IS ON recording session, including "Damnation." This is the first time WITCH received airplay on a major radio station.
April 7, 1984
Pasadena, California
Perkin's Palace
Headline Act: Keel
Opening Acts: Max Havoc, Stryper
April 13, 1984
Culver City, California
Culver Vets Hall
Opening Acts: Slayer, Lizzy Borden, Tyrant
For the first--and last--time, tickets and real cloth back stage passes both featuring the WITCH logo were issued for this show. This could arguably be considered the biggest gig of WITCH's career, headlining over local majors SLAYER and LIZZY BORDEN. The show was sold out with more than 1500 metal heads packed into Vets Hall to see WITCH at the very top of their game. Tapestry Artists Management attended this show--who were managing Y&T at the time--and negotiations began for them to manage WITCH. At left is WITCH blowing up the Culver Vets stage. (photo courtesy Punky Peru) This is the last time WITCH and SLAYER played on the same bill together, as SLAYER were just on the verge of international stardom. SLAYER were not too happy about playing support to WITCH again, and even less happy about walking around all day wearing a backstage pass emblazoned with the WITCH logo. So, SLAYER band and crew blacked-out the WITCH logo and drew-in SLAYER's logo instead. The WITCH road crew also told Punky that Tom Araya announced between songs, "There's going to be a WITCH burning at midnight!" Another note about this gig: it has been reported by at least three different sources that at this point in his life, Axl Rose was working as a security guard for an event security company, and he worked security at tonight's show near the front of the stage.
May 4, 1984
Hollywood, California
The Troubadour
Headline Act: SIN
Opening Act: Kcordrah
This was the debut performance of the new lineup for Rik Fox's SIN, featuring Frank Starr on vocals. Rik and band were interviewed live on radio station KUCI April 13 promoting these shows at The Troubadour. (My thanks to AGENT STEEL crew member Jude Fero for sending the ticket for these two Troubadour shows at right)
May 5, 1984
Hollywood, California
The Troubadour
Headline Act: SIN
Opening Act: Assault
Sometime during May WITCH was cast to play a mutant Heavy Metal band in the film RADIOACTIVE DREAMS (below is WITCH on the set; photo courtesy Punky Peru.) They got the gig through a female friend associated with the movie and they did not have to audition. WITCH's scenes were filmed over a four day period, working from 4pm to 4am each day, and each band member was paid $2,000. Set in 2010, 15 years after a nuclear holocaust, two "detectives" emerge from their bomb shelter looking for fun! WITCH makes a very brief appearance, looking not too unlike their normal selves, rocking out on stage as victims of the holocaust rock with them. The band wore their own stage costumes but their hair and makeup were professionally done on the set. All filming took place at the old Uniroyal Tire Company building in the City Of Commerce. Originally built in 1928 as a replica of Sargone's Assyrian Palace to house the Samson Tire and Rubber Company, the location was featured in the 1959 film Ben Hur, and was sold to Uniroyal Tire in 1962. Closed in 1978, the building was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1982, and was used for movie and video shoots until the mid-1990s. Today this historic location is a Citadel Outlets Mall, but the original structure is still intact. At right is the Palace wall in 2009. The room at the very top-center of the building was known--for the four days they were on set--as "The WITCH Fort," where the band partied hard with many of the female extras. RADIOACTIVE DREAMS starred Michael Dudikoff and Lisa Blount and opened on September 19, 1986. To date it has grossed a dismal $240,000 worldwide.
June 9, 1984
San Pedro, California
The Dancing Waters Club
Opening Acts: Exit, White Noiz
Archived: Video
SET LIST:
Blond Alert
Hit the Road
(No More) Suffering In Silence
Cinderella (In Black Leather)
Damnation
Bewitched
The Chosen Ones
Nervous Wreck
Hell On Wheels
This show was billed as the band's First Year Anniversary show. Peter announced from the stage, "It's been a long year." (photo courtesy Punky Peru)
June 30, 1984
Anaheim, California
Radio City
Opening Acts: Blitzkrieg, Invaders
Archived: Audio
SET LIST:
"Pricking Of My Thumbs" intro tape
Blond Alert
Hit the Road
(No More) Suffering In Silence
Cinderella (In Black Leather)
Damnation
Bewitched
The Chosen Ones
Ronny Guitar Solo
Nervous Wreck
Hell On Wheels
1:45
Wet N Wild
TRACK LIST:
Damnation
Bewitched
Cinderella (In Black Leather)
Nervous Wreck
Wet N Wild
Album cover model Mitzi Gorder met the band earlier in the year at a club in Westminister called Joshua's Parlour (later The Marquee and currently The Hustler Club). Punky and Ronny devised the concept of the album cover: a metal babe with very long blond hair being clawed at by the band at her feet. Important Records liked the idea of a female on the cover, but they wanted to see the front of her. The band stuck to their guns and when the photo session took place at David White's Orange County studio (at left), only photos from behind were taken. See the RECORDS section for more details on this release.
The question has often been asked why--if WITCH had such a huge following and made so much noise on the So Cal club circuit--why didn't they end up getting signed to a major label? For a band that was a better MOTLEY CRUE than MOTLEY CRUE ever was, why didn't WITCH have a similar career? Depending on who you ask, the answer seems to come down to timing and management. WITCH had signed a management contract with Tapestry Artists, giving them complete control over the band. However, Tapestry needed WITCH just as much as WITCH needed them, and Tapestry was depending on WITCH to launch their management business into the big time. Therefore, Tapestry was not about to let WITCH get signed to a small deal; they were going for all or nothing. Brian Slagel from Metal Blade Records loved WITCH, and he wanted to sign them and release THE HEX IS ON. Not realizing he wasn't in the position to make business decisions, Punky told Slagel WITCH would sign with Metal Blade, and the only thing left to do was sign the contract. However, Slagel wasn't offering much money, and when Tapestry found out about Punky's so-called deal with Slagel they called it off. Metal Blade was furious and swore they would never again have anything to do with WITCH, and this was a crushing blow to WITCH's reputation and marketability. Tapestry told the band not to worry because a deal with Capitol, who had signed WASP the previous year, seemed eminent. But that deal, too, fell through, so Tapestry made the fateful decision to self-release THE HEX IS ON and hope that a deal would come from that. No deal ever did.
July 28, 1984
Hollywood, California
Stardust Ballroom
Headline Act: SIN
Opening Acts: Terriff, Savage Grace
September 5, 1984
Huntington Beach, California
The Golden Bear
Opening Acts: Vengeance, Ruthless
Over the summer Punky and Tommy Lee hung out quite a bit at the HUSTLER Mansion in Hollywood. HUSTLER was planning a feature article on the Southern California heavy metal scene and they were looking for a visually interesting local band to photograph. Tommy recommended WITCH to publisher Larry Flynt, and he asked the band to come to the HUSTLER offices on Santa Monica Boulevard the next day for a test shoot. However, because of the short notice, only Punky and Jim were available to attend. They suited up in full concert makeup and costume and made their way to Althea Flynt's office on the top floor. There they were photographed by a staff photographer and WITCH got the gig (unfortunately these test pictures have never seen the light of day). On September 13 WITCH loaded-in their gear and stage show to a warehouse in Culver City for the photo shoot. Local metal fans were invited to attend as extras, and HUSTLER girls were placed at the front of the stage. The photo (at left) appeared in the April, 1985 issue and accompanied an article about the excesses of the L.A. metal scene.
September 14, 1984
San Francisco, California
The Stone
Headline Act: Laaz Rockit
Opening Act: Death Angel
September 21, 1984
Anaheim, California
Radio City
Opening Acts: Ruthless, Suspect
The flyer for this show announces that the first ten people at this gig and at the October 5 Dancing Waters show will receive an autographed copy of THE HEX IS ON, and that albums will be on sale at both shows. The flier also says "Back from San Francisco and ready to shred."
October 5, 1984
San Pedro, California
The Dancing Waters Club
Opening Acts: Borrowed Time, 21st Century
Around this time Punky had a pet rat named Sportster, and he lived the rock n roll life. His baby sitters included Heather Locklear, and he was Lita Ford's studio mascot during the recording of her LITA album. Sportster also had the ability to escape from his cage, jump off the table, ascend a full flight of stairs, and climb into bed with Punky--much to the dismay of whoever might be sharing the bed with him.
The fact that WITCH opened for EXCITER and MEGADETH has been confirmed by many different sources, including Jim, Punky, and The Waters Club 1984 sound engineer. But the exact date has remained elusive until now. According to two different MEGADETH "historians," Dave Mustaine and company only played The Waters Club on one occasion, and that was on this date. It makes sense with EXCITER's schedule, who were on tour in the U.S. at the time supporting their second album, Violence and Force, and it also makes sense with WITCH's schedule. (update June, 2010: metal fan Doug Klein was at this show, and he was kind enough to send me a photo of the only known poster still in existence for this gig. My thanks to Doug! And update October 2020: two print ads for this show have been found by GUNS n ROSES historian Gavin Barnard which bill this show as "HELL ON EARTH". See the FLIERS section.) Although they had headlined at this club just three weeks earlier, the band's management took this opening slot in order to audition a second guitarist. No one in the band--particularly Ronny--wanted a second guitarist, but Tapestry thought it might round out their live sound. So, to appease Tapestry, Ronny brought in a guy named Danny Blaze. He had no live experience at all and wasn't very good, and that was the whole idea. In the middle of the show Jim got so fed up that he told Blaze to get off the stage. Not knowing what had happened, Peter followed Blaze and told him to get back out there and play. Jim again threw Blaze off the stage and Peter got the point. Tapestry never again asked WITCH to add another guitarist. Now, that's not all the drama that happened at this show! After soundcheck WITCH was told by EXCITER's crew that they were not allowed to use pyro and half their lights would be pulled. WITCH stage manager Marty "Moose" didn't take this very well. Just before WITCH took the stage Marty screwed three 2x4's into EXCITER's dressing room door, effectively locking them inside. WITCH went onstage and did their whole show, while EXCITER spent 20 minutes literally breaking down the door, doorframe, and 2x4s. When WITCH took the stage and began their first song, Punky realized that his snare had been slashed. He struggled through the opening song before a replacement snare was brought in from the truck. He blamed Dave Mustaine and MEGADETH because EXCITER were conveniently locked away. So when MEGADETH took the stage WITCH and their crew went to work on Mustaine's rented equipment van. They flattened all four tires and used pipes to break out all of the van's windows. All this happened while Danny Blaze was still in the club! WITCH took off, leaving Danny behind and unaware of what had just happened. When MEGADETH saw their van they chased down Blaze and beat him until security broke it up.
October 31, 1984
Reseda, California
The Country Club
Headline Act: Grim Reaper
Photographs of WITCH from this show were published in the March, 1985 issue of Japan's BURRN! magazine, along with photos of LONDON and ODIN and an article about the burdgeoning L.A. metal scene. In these photos Ronny is wearing a blue leather suit that he purchased from Don Costa for $50. Recently a pro-shot video surfaced of headliner GRIM REAPER from this show. With multiple cameras and sound board audio, the recording is excellent. It's possible that WITCH's set was also recorded (although the band was never asked if they'd like to purchase it), but to date a video has not surfaced. Anyone??
November 2, 1984
Costa Mesa, California
The Concert Factory
Opening Act: Aftershock
November 17, 1984
Hollywood, California
The Troubadour
Opening Acts: Medusa, Pulse, Agent Steel
November 30, 1984
Anaheim, California
Radio City
Opening Acts: Sylum, Jekyll and Hyde
December 15, 1984
San Francisco, California
Rock On Broadway
Co-Headline Act: Hellion
Opening Act: Scanner
A print ad exists for this show listing New York band TALIS as the headliner with WITCH opening (see the FLIERS section). However, it has been verified that WITCH and HELLION co-headlined and TALIS did not play. At right is the Rock On Broadway marquee (photo courtesy Ronny Too) taken as the band arrived for load in. Ronny's future band MAX HAVOC played the night before.
December 17, 1984
Palo Alto, California
Keystone Palo Alto
Co-Headline Act: Hellion