2023
January 15, Miami, Fl.
Google Pixel comercial
Punky was
contacted by a dive student from 30 years ago for a part in a Super bowl
commercial. Within days of his zoom audition he was flown First Class to Miami
to shoot a google pixel commercial. The premise was a band member pissed off at
another member and erasing the member from a band photo using google pixels
magic eraser. The photo of Witch below was used and Ronny Too was erased. Ronny
was chosen by the directer simply
because Punky was right handed. Although the
experience was awesome Punky and Witch once again found themselves on the
cutting room floor. The Google
Pixel commercial did air for the Super Bowl
but featured Amy Schumer rather than Witch.
 |
1989 Press photo of Witch
January 27, Tarzana, Ca.
Ampage “Falling Higher” Documentary release
Punky and Kelsey attended the Ampage documentary release (shown at right). Punky met Peter in Ampage back in 1981 while Mark Mason has kept Ampage alive since its inception back in 1979. Punky has played with Ampage a few times over the years as well as a Northen West Coast tour and played drums on a song from the Falling Higher CD.
The documentary was produced by Colin Felger and was narrated by Jake Busey and documents Ampage’s entire career. Punky has an interview in it about his Hawaiian tour with the band back when they were all teenagers. Witch also made it in the film with some photos and video clips since two of Witch’s members were introduced from the band Ampage. The current Ampage line up including Mark Mason performed at the screening.
June 10, Santa Ana, Ca.
Stages
Headline Act: Witch
Opening Acts: Ruthless, Black Star Sinners, RJB Band, Pretties
for You, Connor Stevens, Dark
Thor, Voorees
Set List:
Organ Intro
Nervous Wreck
Real Me
1:45
Take Me Away
Wet & Wild
Playing in the Rain
Black Magic
Damnation
Bewitched
Victory without Pain
Toys in the Attic
Cinderella in Black Leather
This was a very
special occasion. Witch was
celebrating their 40 year Anniversary with
it’s classic line up. June 11, 1983 was the first Witch show at the Woodstock
in Anaheim. Since the Woodstock was owned by Joe and his son Johnny Shultz
(both RIP) it was an obvious choice to use Joey Shultz as the promoter. This
show included it’s classic line up of Peter, Punky, Ronny & Jim. The show
included new merchandise with 40th Anniversary shirts and guitar pics along
with the 2012 CD The Hex is On/And then Some. The stage was set and Witch was
scheduled for 11pm. This time was chosen so the band could play their last
encore song just after midnight making the date June 11, 2024. 40 years to the day!
The show started with the infamous organ intro tape and the room filled with fog, Punky on his drums with the torch’s blazing! The band burst through three songs before stopping while Peter welcomed and thanked the crowd for 40 years of support. The crowd was very well receiving. Each member of the band got to step up and talk about events from the past four decades. Next after two more songs was Punky’s turn. He talked about the 1997 recordings with Howard Lease, Rowan Robertson, Phil Chen, Steve Stevens, Kieth Emerson and Slash! The band broke into a couple from the “And then Some” recordings. Next Ronny stepped up and talked about the Hex is On recording and the band went into two cuts from the Hex. Jim made the final speech about recording the Nobody Sleeps album (where no one slept) and they broke into Victory, Witch’s 80’s power balled. They closed the set with Cinderella a crowd favorite from the very first show. The set was very well thought out and the delivery was the best of the past 10 year reunion shows. Don’t miss Witch next year as they celebrate 40 years of the Hex is On!