SATURDAY JULY THIRD, 1999 EVENING EDITION * 25¢

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A RIVER CROSSED

Witchazel washed up on the shores of Ohio last night to debut on the Cincinnati scene. Cutter's All American Bar and Grill hosted the dark trio. The boys were scheduled to open for Cincy rockers, Wojo. Unfortunately a contractual dispute found Witchazel as a solo act. This did not phase the trio, even though they are (were) virtually unknown in the Cincy scene. They readjusted the scedule and then opened the doors of Cutter's free of charge to Main St

As the driving groove of the hard rockers seeped into the downtown area, the bar started filling up nicely. By the time they took their first set break the once calm tavern had fallen into near chaos. An army of new Witchazel fans were recruited by the earie and sometimes demonic stage presense of front man Dave Ryles.

I caught up with the trio in their rat infested hotel room after the show in hopes of securing an exclusive interveiw. The events that followed exposed the seedy world of underground rock and roll. Upon entering I immediately stepped over the half conscious body of Paco.I journeyed through the remains of a case of beer to the back of the room.

In the back Dave and Dan were cooking up Heroin. They had a glazed and distant look in their eyes. It was apparently "good shit". Dan offered me a "fix". I tried to explain to him that I didn't do that shit. The Two members of the band were not accepting "no" as an answer on that day.

Dan yelled out "He's a fucking narc!" and then proceeded to bust up my knees with a mike stand. This disturbance awoke Paco into full consciousness. He stumbled over my way and began spitting on me. I managed to make the bathroom window as Dave hurled a lamp at me.

As I lay beaten and bloody in the parking lot I began to realize that perhaps phone interveiws would be a better way of bringing you the latest. I guess that I'll continue to follow the band around as they establish themselves as a regional act. By phone or by fist' you will continue to stay updated. This is my pledge to you.

~WFP~