Katchafire interview, 2003

Katchafire
By Mark Bell, NZ Musician, Feb/Mar 2003

This is not good. The message from Mai Music's Victor Stent appears to have torpedoed my last opportunity to interview Hamilton based reggae eight-piece Katchafire, supposedly up in the Big A putting the finishing touches to their debut album 'Revival' at Mai FM's studio (with Dubious Bros' Chris Macro at the controls). The gist of the message is that a couple of members have copped a nasty virus (gotta eat those greens on tour, boys), the band are still in Hamilton, and that is where they are staying until well after print deadline.

With space already committed to the story, this news makes for a fair bit of teeth-gnashing back at NZM Towers. That is until our unflappable, or perhaps simply desperate editor suggests a road trip. The plan is to head down to Raglan to the impending Soundsplash reggae festival, corner the boys for an interview backstage and then take in their live act later on that evening.

Talk about pulling one out of the fire. Not a bad concept as far as salvage-jobs go, and so it is that we find our be-sandaled and sunscreened selves weaving our way through the colourful mish-mash of characters who've come from all points around to soak up the good vibrations in sun-splashed Raglan.

A quick recce of the bar tent (well it was hot) soon reveals the presence of rhythm guitarist/singer Thompson Hohepa, his impressive full-face moko making him an easy mark as he relaxes with a couple of members of the extended family that is Katchafire. Although we're not running tape yet, he is so clearly enthused by the events of the last few months – along with the anticipation of what is clearly going to be a magic night sharing star billing with the likes of TrinityRoots, King Kapisi and Fat Freddy's Drop – that he's up and running anyway. He talks about the indelible impact that Bob Marley had on him as a young man, of being at that legendary Western Springs concert and the defining moment when Bob asked all the gang factions to take down their flags, telling them that we are all one.

He is also understandably buzzing over their recent trip to Noumea to play an international outdoor reggae festival alongside the likes of Andrew Tosh, who performed with his late father's original band. It was Thompson's and two other Katcahfire member's first trip outside New Zealand, actually his first time on a plane! You can still read the anguish on his face when he talks about his passport not coming through until the day before he left. If the bastards wanted to make him sweat they sure succeeded.

We're backstage now and talking to singer/songwriter/guitarist Logan Bell, bass player and web-master Ara Adams-Tamatea and singer/songwriter/keyboardist and tasty sax player Jamey Ferguson, the big man responsible for writing and singing their super-hookey debut single Giddy Up.

After spending over two months in the Top 10, one of only three local singles to go gold last year, Giddy Up was the sort of runaway success that can take everybody by surprise, band included.

"We kinda were hoping that we were headed to do something special soon" says Jamey, "but the fact that it was Giddy Up that brought it was a surprise to everybody I think."

Ara continues: "Pretty much it was just introducing us to the music industry, it wasn't meant to be the song that was as big as what it was. It was the introduction song, but not THE song to launch us. But we're not complaining..."
The story is that Katchafire took out a Mai FM talent quest, the prize being recording time to the tune of two singles at Mai's Auckland studio, with no strings attached regarding signing to the Mai label. With interest being shown in the band by Dawn Raid, what tipped the band in favour of signing with Mai Music came down to the influence Mai FM currently enjoy over the Auckland area through their radio network, and, according to Ara. "Because it's in their best interests to play our song, and it's in our best interests to get our stuff out there."

Katchafire have been around since '98, and, largely through word of mouth from their legendary four hour pub gigathons, they had a very healthy following even prior to things blowing up with Giddy Up. The downside of so much playing is that it can be disruptive to the recording process. Logan admits that the band's live schedule has caused delays in getting 'Revival' out there.

"Yeah, we've calmed down on the gigging to get in there (studio). We're still fresh, we're still learning how to sing every night and still have a voice, how to say 'no' and go home, ha ha!"

Do they ever find time, or in fact ever need to practice? "I warned you about those questions," says Logan, revealing a wicked sense of humour. "Just to learn new songs now and then and before these big festivals, Rhumba and Big Day Out, that sort of thing."

The band have something approaching 100 Marley songs in their kit bag, amongst a swag of others and are essentially a cracking good reggae covers band with a hit original single on their hands. I ask how Katchafire are dealing with this tricky transition from pub jukebox darlings to serious songwriters, although I already suspect that the covers will never fully be jettisoned from the songlist.

Ara, as usual, is first to the mic. "Covers can get you so far and we're really happy with the success and the work that it's given us. But I mean we know that to be able to stay on top of our game in this industry you've got to be able to tour and play your own stuff, and obviously getting on the radio helps. I mean you look at bands like UB40 and all these other bands that are still touring now, that tour two or three hours of original music. But it's just over the years what they've accumulated. So we would love to be in that position where we've got albums and albums of original stuff – definitely a goal!"

There's a real sense of community, brotherhood, commonality, whakapapa, whatever it is that comes across in Katchafire's performance that night, the crowd are lapping it up. It's spirited but traditional and sweet reggae in the style that Marley crossed over to the world in the '70s, with a tight, punchy sound and beautiful vocal harmonising.

With three Bells in the band since its inception (guitarist Grenville Bell is Logan and drummer Jason's father), it's not hard to see where the extended family vibe comes from and serves to remind how refreshingly un-ageist reggae music is.

"It is family for them." says Ara, "and for the likes of myself anyway, and the others, it's a really close-knit group of guys. And Logan's family, who've basically been there from the beginning, I don't know, forgive me if I'm wrong, but they're pretty much like family to the rest of us." Nods of agreement all round.

With 'Revival' slated for mid-March release, Katchafire will once again be answering the call of the road, doing what they do so well: singing and playing their hearts out to sweaty rooms full of gratified reggae lovers. It may not be at the flashest joint in town, but at $15 or less on the door you can bet it'll be the best value night out you've had since Carols by Candlelight, and a hell of a lot more fun.