Katchafire is a reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand. They present an infusion of the roots reggae lineage with an undeniably Maori sound. They feature Logan Bell (Guitar, Vocals), Jamey Ferguson (Keyboards, Saxophone, Vocals), Haani Totorewa (Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals), Grenville Bell, (Lead Guitar) Ara Adams-Taratewa (Bass), Jordan Bell (Drums), and Leon Davey (Percussion, Harmonica, Vocals).
From humble beginnings ‘jamming’ in a garage, Katchafire is a melting pot of unique members, including two generations of one family and diverse musical perspectives – yet this blend is exquisitely aligned with the essence of reggae which can be an expression of social and political persuasions, hardship and pain, relaxation and reflection.
Dubbed New Zealand’s hardest working band by national media, Katchafire have now completed numerous national and seven international tours. The band has moved audiences around the globe with three tours in New Caledonia, one tour in each Fiji and Hawaii and 10 Australian tours.
Now Katchafire are poised to extend their unique reggae style, sound and success to the ‘big two’ – USA/Hawaii and UK/Europe. In July, Katchafire are begin their Hawaii/USA tour playing at Hawaii’s biggest summer concert event of the year, the 16th annual Birthday Bash at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu then onto Kaua’i and Big Island.
London, Wiltshire, Edinburgh, Bristol (where they were the highlight of the world tent @ Ashton Court), Wales and Oxfordshire in England plus Cork and Dublin in Ireland are Katchafire’s destinations on their UK/Europe tour. The USA/Hawaii and UK/Europe tours are a prelude Katchafire’s upcoming release of their third album which is scheduled for release in 2007.
Katchafire’s last two albums have gone double platinum and platinum respectively. Revival went double platinum in New Zealand in 2003 and reached the Top 5 in International Billboard Charts in the US 17 weeks . Katchafire also released six singles from Revival. Slowburning has also gone platinum and is to be released into US/Hawaii markets soon. To date, the band has release three singles from this album.
Highlights from Katchafire’s performances to date include opening and playing alongside The Wailers, Third World, Alpha Blondy, Shaggy, Damian Marley, Renee Geyer, Deceptikonz, Kora, House Of Shem, Fat Freddys Drop, Salmonella Dub, Black Seeds and Trinity Roots. The band has also had a strong presence at WOMAD and Big Day Out festivals.
Katchafire’s unique, proudly New Zealand reggae style envelopes cross-cultural and cros-generational audiences in the revitalising vibes of healing music, encouraging sing-alongs and regeneration of soul. The Katchafire flame continues to burn ever brighter and stronger.
