KATCHAFIRE [27:08:08]
STATESIDE RIDDIM
Starting out over a decade ago as a Bob Marley tribute band in Hamilton, New Zealand’s Katchafire have built a solid reputation in both their homeland and abroad as fine purveyors of funk-drenched reggae.
Founded by Grenville Bell and sons Logan (lead vocals) and Jordan (drums), the group first hit radiowaves with their debut longplayer, 2003’s ‘Revival’. Katchafire also notched the highest selling single (in New Zealand) off that record with ‘Giddy Up’ propelling the band into the national spotlight.
Two years later, the group returned with ‘Slow Burning’, an album that would lead to Katchafire’s emergence as stars of the Hawaiian reggae scene. A group of New Zealand foreign exchange students staying in the Aloha State introduced the Kiwi reggae vibes to the locals, and by the summer of 2006 Katchafire were headlining the 10,000 capacity Waikiki Shell. They were also the first non-Hawaiian act to feature at the KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash; they’ve now been invited back to that event three straight years now.
About to embark on a string of dates around Australia, Katchafire have just returned from a six week trek through California, Washington State, and of course Hawaii. Logan Bell tells us all about it.
Katchafire is currently on tour in the US, how's the trip been so far? Any eventful shows to report back to the folks of Australia?
The whole tour has been great. We have been in California and Hawaii, but also New Mexico, and Seattle, Washington and Eugene, Oregon. We have had sold out shows and the weather has been too hot at times. That’s the only thing to complain about.
From the tour photos posted on your website, seems you've taken your families on this US tour; how's that working out for you - no extra stress for the band?
The band is more like an adopted family; we gravitate to good people in different states. There are always stresses with a band touring non-stop for two months at a time, but because we’re family we work it out and come together.
In another interview you've said the band has taken a little extra time to adjust to the American diet - what's been the biggest, baddest meal you've encountered so far?
American’s go big! Steaks it would have to be. But in Hawaii we’ve come accustomed to Mac salad rice and Hawaiian barbeque. It's very fattening and addictive.
The tour van got a little graf on this tour; 'Love you Larry, marry me, One Love'. Just another band prank or an actual secret admirer for Larry?
It’s Leon our percussionist ... and yes a true admirer.
How universal have you found the love for reggae on this US jaunt?
We’ve dug deeper into the US reggae scene more on this tour than any other. We are playing the same circuit as a lot of the great reggae bands. Such as Steel Pulse, Wailers, Alpha Blondie, Wailing Souls, Queen Omega and many more. The band has been accepted for what we are. Some Maori boys that play their own style of roots reggae. A lot of the Jamaicans love our fresh approach to old school roots.
The Katchafire brand of reggae is pretty soulful - what influences does the band bring to the musical melting pot?
Everything is influential, even books. We draw from life experience, Maori history, art images and of course different styles of music. You will hear R&B, hip hop, blues, rock, even jazz in Katchafire’s music.
You're headed to Australia for several shows over the coming month or two - how tight is the live Katchafire show at the moment?
We have really been honing the show, trying to take the audience on a journey. Please come step to the riddim with us. You won’t regret it.
Coming off the US tour, headed basically straight into the Australian jaunt; doesn't leave much time to sleep in your own bed; does it ever get tiring being on the road so much?
Of course, like anything it can get almost unbearable especially away from partners and kids, but we have fully committed to our craft as a professional outfit and when you’re standing in front of a few hundred people ready to rock steady, all you know is forward.
The next Katchafire album, where are you lads at with another studio record?
We are aiming to get into the studio at the start of ‘09.
Ninjawookie
Katchafire play the Southport RSL September 4-5 as well as the Island Vibe festival, at Point Lookout Stradbroke Island, October 24-26.
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