“It’s a privilege to play such authentic and well-played roots reggae!” said Bob Marley’s favorite DJ, Dave Roddigan …UK reggae pioneer for over 30 years and host of the longest running reggae club night in London!
It seems only natural that a roots reggae band of KATCHAFIRE’s caliber should emerge from New Zealand, which holds the distinction of owning more Bob Marley albums per head of population than any country on earth! Roots music is a NZ passion and KATCHAFIRE are the leading exponents, touring relentlessly for the past 8 years as they honed their skills. Originally conceived as a ‘covers’ band, playing faithful Bob Marley and UB40 hits, KATCHAFIRE have matured. They now perform and write all their own material.
In their home market, KATCHAFIRE have released 2 albums to date, selling double-platinum of their debut “REVIVAL”, which also yielded 6 singles and radio hits, including the song “GIDDY UP” which won TOP SELLING SINGLE at the NZ MUSIC AWARDS in 2001 (sold double-platinum). Critics loved the album and it spent over a year in the top 50 album charts. With 6 videos shot for the singles and numerous dub and club mixes available of their songs, KATCHAFIRE cover all the bases…from hard-out jungle mixes that pack UK and Australian dance-floors, to deep, old-skool dub mixes that will keep the people happy.
KATCHAFIRE are an all-Maori band, the indigenous peoples of New Zealand, and includes 2 generations of 1 family…Grenville Bell started the band and now his 2 sons feature in it as well, on vocals and on drums. They are all exemplary musicians, frequently trading instruments on stage during their legendary 2 ½ - 3-hour shows, and their trademark harmonies have to be heard to be believed.
Katchafire has sold over 70,000 albums and 30,000 singles in their home country and are now poised to extend that success overseas, touring the United Kingdom.
Katchafire’s Hawaii and U.S. mainland tour is scheduled to begin on July 27th. The first leg of the tour will begin on Oahu, with appearances on Molokai, Maui, Big Island and continue onto the U.S. mainland.