Witch (Zamrock band)

Witch (often stylized as WITCH or W.I.T.C.H.) is a Zamrock band formed in the 1970s. Widely seen as the most popular Zambian band of the 1970s, WITCH (an acronym for "We Intend To Cause Havoc"), was headed by lead vocalist Emanuel "Jagari" Chanda. The band formed during Zambia's post-independence golden days, but by the late-1970s, economic collapse and increasing government authoritarianism saw WITCH, like most Zamrock bands, fading away.[1] The band was revived in 2012 after reissues of their records became popular abroad.

WITCH
GenresZamrock, psych rock
Years activec. 1973–mid 1980s, 2012-present
MembersEmanyeo "Jagari" Chanda
Patrick Mwondela
Past membersJohn "Music" Muma
Gideon "Giddy King" Mulenga
Boyd "Star MacBoyd" Sinkala
Chris "Kims" Mbewe
Paul "Jones" Mumba
Patrick Chisembele
Peter Lungu
Shaddick Bwalya
Emmanuel Makulu
Christine Jackson

History

WITCH formed during Zambia's post-independence golden days, but by the late-1970s, economic collapse and increasing government authoritarianism, saw WITCH, like most Zamrock bands, playing daytime shows to avoid curfews, fading away.[1] This prompted Jagari to leave the band and pursue his career as a teacher.

After Jagari's departure, WITCH recruited Patrick Chisembele and Christine Jackson as lead vocalists. During this time, the band moved away from rock, and towards disco music. After the departure of Patrick Chisembele and Christine Jackson, WITCH's sound again shifted, now to further incorporate elements of Zambian music. This later iteration, led by Chris Mbewe, largely played kalindula music, exemplified in tracks from this era such as "Janet" and "Nazingwa".

After the mid-1980s, the band faded into obscurity and stopped playing live until 2012, when Chanda was invited to the US to revive the band.[2] As of 2013, WITCH is touring again,[1] with the new lineup including Jagari, alongside new members from the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland.[2] The band's previous discography has also been re-released digitally and on vinyl.[2] Since 2006, the group's music has been featured on several compilation albums curated by international tastemakers including Rolling Stone, Rough Trade, and Now-Again Records; Now-Again has included WITCH on multiple releases including the popular compilation Welcome to Zamrock!.

Band members

Years are approximate and based on album release dates.[3]

Current members
  • Emanyeo "Jagari" Chanda – lead vocals[1] (1973–1976, 2012– )
  • Patrick Mwondela – keyboards (1980–1984, 2012– )

Past members
  • Chris "Kims" Mbewe – lead guitar, vocals (1973–1984)
  • Gideon "Giddy King" Mulenga – bass guitar (1973–1984)
  • Boidi "Star MacBoyd" Sinkala – drums, vocals (1973–1977)
  • John "Music" Muma – rhythm guitar, vocals (1973–1975, 1977)
  • Paul "Jones" Mumba – keyboards, drums (1973–1974)
  • Christine Jackson – vocals (1980)
  • Peter Lungu – drums (1980–1984)
  • Shaddick Bwalya – vocals, percussion (1980–1984)
  • Emmanuel Makulu – guitar (1980)
  • Stanford Tembo – vocals (1980)
  • Patrick Chisembele – lead vocals (1984)

Other musicians credited on WITCH's release include keyboardists Cosmos Zani and Slim Ali, percussionist Alex Kunda, and singers A. Rusike and R. Miller. Th brass band Real Sound Horns appears on both of the bands 1980s releases.

Discography

Credits adapted from Discogs.[3] Now-Again reissued information adapted from Bandcamp.[4]

Studio albums
  • Introduction (1974; reissued 2011)
  • In The Past (1974; reissued 2012)
  • Lazy Bones!! (1975; reissued 2012)[5][6]
  • Lukombo Vibes (1976; reissued 2012)
  • WITCH (1977)
  • Movin' On (1980; reissued 2015)
  • Kuomboka (1984; reissued 2015)

Compilations
  • We Intend To Cause Havoc! (Now-Again, 2011)

References
  1. "We're a Zambian Band". theappendix.net. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  2. "BBC World Service - The Documentary Podcast, We Intend to Cause Havoc". BBC. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
  3. "Witch (3)". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  4. "Moving' On & Kuomboka, by WITCH". WITCH. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
  5. "We're a Zambian Band". theappendix.net. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. "Witch | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2019-03-20.
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