About Katchafire
Katchafire are an all Māori New Zealand roots reggae band from Hamilton, New Zealand.
Katchafire formed in Hamilton in 1997, originally as a Bob Marley tribute band. The band's name derives from Catch A Fire, The Wailers' debut album. They have released six albums: Revival , which featured the highest-selling New Zealand single of 2002 "Giddy Up", Slow Burning Say What You're Thinking , On the Road Again , and the compilation Best So Far Legacy .
The band has extensively toured Australia, the UK, Europe, the United States, New Caledonia, the Pacific Islands, Guam, Indonesia, Brazil including their home country of New Zealand and have played on the same bills as The Wailers, The Marley's, Steel Pulse, Third World, UB40, Shaggy, Lauryn Hill, Fiji, and Horace Andy to name a few.
The bands original line-up consisted of Founder Grenville Bell with his two sons Logan Jordan , the line-up expanded to include eight members, including Jerry Taukamo , Thompson Hohepa , Hani Totorewa , Bass duties went to a number of different musicians, Jhonny Fish , Shocka , Tere Ngarua and Travis Te Hau.
As a result of commitments with other bands, family and religion, lead singer Jerry departed from the band Katchafire with Logan stepping into the position becoming the band's new and current lead singer.
With the addition of James "Jamey" Ferguson and departure of Tere Ngarua opened opportunity for Ara Adams Tamatea and Leonard "Leon" Davey not long after which allowed Grenville Bell to step out of the Management duties and continue his role as the bands Lead Guitarist and the brand "Katchafire" was realized.
Map & Directions To Venue
