In this episode of The Adventures of Pipeman on W4CY Radio, Pipeman sits down at the legendary Wacken festival with members of Wytchhazel—Colin, Andrew, Aaron, and their guitar tech Woodsy. The group shares stories about their first time at Wacken, their musical inspirations, favorite festival experiences, and what makes their band dynamic so unique. They also discuss the importance of supportive industry partners and the sense of community in heavy metal.Main Topics Covered
- Wytchhazel’s inaugural experience at Wacken festival and what it means to the band
- Personal highlights and favorite live sets from Wacken
- Influential early musical experiences and the bands that inspired each member
- The journey to playing at iconic festivals through booking agents and supportive labels
- Band camaraderie, behind-the-scenes friendships, and why that's important on the road
- Reflections on festival organization, artist hospitality, and the unique atmosphere of Wacken
- How fans can connect, follow, and support Wytchhazel
Key Discussions & StoriesWytchhazel's First Wacken Experience
- Colin calls playing Wacken a "privilege" and highlights the excitement of seeing legendary bands and being part of the festival community 00:55.
- Pipeman and band members reminisce on standout sets, with shout-outs to Judas Priest, Bathory, and Saxon 01:13, 02:14, 02:57.
Favorite Sets and Moments at Wacken
- Colin is thrilled about hearing rare Judas Priest tracks like "Changes" and "The Ripper" 01:34.
- Andrew mentions Bathory as a highlight, especially seeing original and supergroup members 02:14.
- Aaron throws in his admiration for Saxon and recounts sharing a bill with them at Keep It True 02:57.
- Woodsy reflects on seeing these bands in their prime, gifting Colin a vintage t-shirt, and the continued excellence of these legends 03:59.
How Wytchhazel Got to Wacken
- Colin credits their booking agent and partnership with Dragon Productions for finally making Wacken a reality after years of trying 05:39.
- Emphasis on the importance of working with fans of the band as agents and label partners 06:49.
Turning Points: Why Play Metal?Each band member shares the formative moments that inspired their musical paths:
- Colin: Seeing young bands playing classic music in Sweden sparked the idea for Wytchhazel 07:59.
- Andrew: Hearing Iron Maiden's "Be Quick or Be Dead" at age 11 convinced him to pursue metal 08:35.
- Aaron: Inspired by Iron Maiden tracks discovered on his dad’s mixtapes and burning CDs of heavy bands as a kid 09:20.
- Woodsy: Cites Thin Lizzy’s twin guitar leads and early Iron Maiden tours as pivotal experiences 10:31.
Band Dynamics & Friendship
- Woodsy praises each member’s unique qualities and values their friendship, calling Wytchhazel “the easiest band ever to work with” 12:16.
- Pipeman highlights the importance of genuine friendship and camaraderie on the road 13:07.
Resources, Links, & Fan Connection
- Wytchhazel’s official website: witchhazel.com (spelled out by Colin), with all social links 13:50.
- Merch, CDs, and vinyl available via Bandcamp and a dedicated merch store.
- Wytchhazel Fan Club, likened to a Patreon, for diehard fans 14:19.
- “Bands in Town” app for tour dates; main social focus: Instagram 14:31.
What’s Next for Wytchhazel
- Recent album release (last year) and focus on touring and songwriting inspiration 14:52.
- Festival appearances as a major 2023 highlight; no concrete release dates for new music yet.
The Wacken Atmosphere
- Praise for the festival food, organization, and artist hospitality 15:36, 16:03.
- Andrew jokes about the endless steak in artist catering 16:08.
- Aaron points out how good hospitality reduces onstage and festival stress 16:18.
- Woodsy calls Wacken one of the most special places, filled with incredible bands and lifelong memories 17:04.
The Metal Community at Wacken
- Pipeman emphasizes Wacken as a real-world example of unity and community above all differences 17:31.
Notable Quotes
- “It feels like an immense privilege...to stay for the whole festival and see these amazing bands is just the cherry on top.” — Colin 00:57
- “Oh my God. And The Ripper...they haven't played that in forever...am I a teenager again?” — Pipeman 01:37
- “I think the really good thing about Witch Hazel is each one of them brings something very, very special to the band.” — Woodsy 12:16
- “That's the key to why you're at Wacken...we can tell if you're friends, we can tell if you're having fun.” — Pipeman 13:21
- “It's a privilege and a pleasure to be invited here...this will remain with me forever, really.” — Woodsy 17:04
- “We’re one big community and family here at Wacken, and you’re part of it.” — Pipeman 17:31
Resources & Links Mentioned
- Official Wytchhazel Website: witchhazel.com (Colin 13:50)
- Merch & Fan Club: Bandcamp merch store, CDs, vinyl, and fan club info via the website
- Tour Dates & Socials: Bands in Town app, Spotify connectivity, Instagram: @witchhazel
- Recent Album: Released last year; ongoing touring and songwriting focus
Pipeman in the Pit is a music, festival, and interview segment of The Adventures of Pipeman Radio Show (#pipemanradio) and from The King of All Festivals while on The Pipeman Radio Tour.
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