Katchafire

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Katchafire
Origin New Zealand
Genre(s) reggae
Years active 1997-present
Label(s) EMI
Members
Tere Ngarua
Jordan Bell
Jamey Ferguson
Haani Totorewa
Logan Bell
Grenville Bell
Leon Davey
Former members
Ara Adams-Tamatea
Jordan Bell
Jamey Ferguson
Haani Totorewa
Logan Bell
Grenville Bell
Thompson Hohepa
Leon Davey

Katchafire is a New Zealand roots reggae band from Hamilton in the Waikato region.

Katchafire formed in 1997 as a Bob Marley tribute band and later began writing and performing their own songs. They have released three albums: Revival (2003) which featured the highest-selling NZ single of 2003, "Giddy Up"; Slow Burning (2005) and Say What You're Thinking (2007).

The band's original lineup consisted of Haani Totorewa (keyboards, vocals) Tere Ngarua (bass guitar), Thompson Hohepa (guitar, vocals) Logan Bell (guitar, lead vocals) and Jordan Bell (drums).

Katchafire has been through many changes over the years with Tere Ngarua replaced by Ara Adams-Tamatea on bass and the addition of Jamey Fergusson (keyboards, sax, lead vocals) and Leon Davey (vocals, percussions).

For the second album Slow Burning the band was augmented by horn section Le Sexion with Feal (saxophone), Mols (trumpet) and Thomas (trombone) from reggae band Mr Gang of France.

There were further lineup changes in 2006: Adams-Tamatea left the band to become the group's booking agent and original bass player Tere Ngarua re-joined the group as bassist, Thompson Hohepa also left the band.

Katchafire began recording their third album, Say What You're Thinking, as a seven-piece at Auckland's York Studios toward the end of 2006.

The band has toured Australia, the UK, Europe, the US and New Caledonia and has played at festivals with international reggae acts such as Mr Gang, Horace Andy, Moonraisers, Gentleman and was the only Pacific act to tour with artists Arrested Development, The Wailers, Maxi Priest and UB40 as part of the 2008 Raggamuffin.

Their name was inspired by the Bob Marley and The Wailers album Catch A Fire.

Contents

[edit] Discography

Date of Release Title Label Charted Country Catalog Number
2003 Revival - -
2005 Slow Burning - -
2007 Say What You're Thinking - -

[edit] Featured appearances

Katchafire have appeared on a few compilations since 2002 in New Zealand. The following is a list of these albums that have featured tracks by the Katchafire.

[edit] Singles

Year Single Album NZ Singles Chart Certification
2002 "Giddy Up" "Revival" 1 -
2002 "Get Away" "Revival" - -
2002 "Who You With" "Revival" - -
2003 "Colour Me Life" "Revival" - -
2003 "Bounce" "Revival" - -
2003 "Seriously" "Revival" - -
2004 "Rude Girl" "Slow Burnin" - -
2005 "Hey Girl" "Slow Burnin" - -
2006 "Frisk Me Down" "Slow Burnin" - -
2007 "Say What You're Thinking" "Say What You're Thinking" - -

[edit] External links

Languages