June 10, 2006
Witch, and wizard rock
I love that stoner metal is back in vogue, and that new bands are having fun with it. One of those bands is Witch, featuring Kyle Thomas and Asa Irons of the Vermont freak-folk band Feathers on guitars and vocals, J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr. on drums and Dave Sweetapple on bass. I’ve mentioned Witch here once or twice before, but I finally saw them live Friday in Northampton, opening for Swedish psych-pop band Dungen. (My review is here.)

It was spectacular. And loud. And funny as hell ? there’s just something hilarious about stringy-haired metal dudes howling about wizards over big grimy guitar riffs. In fact, Irons played most of the set wearing a pointed wizard-style hat, a la Gandalf, and I jotted the phrase "wizard rock" in my notes to describe the music. A Google search reveals that bands who sing about Harry Potter often use that term, but I think "wizard rock" should have a broader application. Witch, Priestess, High on Fire, even Black Sabbath (which recorded a song called "The Wizard") should henceforth be described ? nay, celebrated! ? as wizard rock.

Er, anway. Mascis is sort of an odd guy, and early on in Dungen’s performance, I looked up from scrawling something in my notebook to see him standing next to me in the back by the soundboard. Between songs, I leaned over and told him I really enjoyed his set. He looked at me, solemn and Golem-like, and just sort of nodded. Thus, my brush with greatness for the week.