Katchafire, Che Fu and The Kratez

Katchafire is a New Zealand 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).

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.

The band 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 acts such as The Wailers, Mr Gang, Horace Andy, Moonraisers and Gentleman.

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

Che Fu and The Kratez
Che-Fu first made his mark as the frontman for Supergroove with their debut Traction which received triple platinum status. After a whirlwind world tour in 95-96 Che left Supergroove and teamed up with New Zealand producer D.L.T to produce his first solo album, 2Bpacific whose first single "Chains" was a top 40 hit in Australia.

Navigator, is a combination of 13 tracks developed musically and lyrically by Che-Fu's love of reggae, funk, soul, rap with a hip hop chewy centre.

"Fade Away" and "Random" the first two singles off Navigator are lush tunes inspired by the nature of friendship and loyalty each has to one another.

Navigator was made with The Kratez, DJ P-Money and The Villajah MC's. This is the nine-piece combo collected over the last three to seven years to form a formidable band with a spectacular live show.

In New Zealand, Che-Fu has achieved seven number one singles, three singles of the year, three male vocalist of the year, a platinum and triple platinum album and the 1999 Rising Entertainer award, number two album of the century behind Split Enz. The most top ten songs of any individual in New Zealand history.

Navigator entered the New Zealand Top 50 chart at Number 1 and stayed there for three consecutive weeks.

A formidable live Reggae/Funk/Hip Hop combination never seen together in Hawke's Bay adds a true laid back summer mix to our event season. If you have a ticket to Fat Freddy's be sure not to miss this a week earlier.

Event listed by Francis de Jager

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