THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE REGGAE QUESTIONNAIRE: Logan Bell of Katchafire

 |   |  2 min read

Katchafire: Seek Ye
THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE REGGAE QUESTIONNAIRE: Logan Bell of Katchafire

Elsewhere has long held the view that Hamilton reggae band Katchafire have been the hardest working band in the country. Three gigs on one Waitangi Day alone tells you how committed they are.

But having played around this country -- and recording a series of excellent albums -- they also took flight and have toured in Australia and the US. Oh, and Brazil.

It's been more than a decade since their cracking debut Revival but they show no signs of slowing down, either on the touring, songwriting or recording. 

As local heroes Katchafire were a popular act at this year's Raggamuffin festival but now embark an yet another (dates below).

Time to let singer/songwriter Logan Bell loose on the Famous Elsewhere Reggae Questionnaire . . .

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Song of the Wind by Santana. Dad used to put it on when we were young

Your first role models in music were . . .

My dad. He was in a band when we were young and we’d gravitate to band practice then Mum made him get a real job, but when we reached our teens he really nurtured our music interests.

Lennon or Jagger, Bob Marley or Burning Spear, dancehall or raggamuffin, Michael Jackson or Jay-Z?

Lennon / Bob Marley / raggamuffin / Michael Jackson

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Professional sportsman – my bro and I were good at rugby league and basketball

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Indigenous Life – FIJI; There for You – Damian Marley; Wake Up and Live – Bob Marley

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

Junior Marvin’s pick!

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

I’ve been lucky to have been on stage with so many musicians, so it would have to be those who aren’t with us anymore – there’s no doubt it has to be Bob … Bob Marley. That would have been awesome

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Once Were Warriors, The Dark Horse and The Maori Wars

uprisingThe last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Last CD I bought was Justin Timberlake’s latest album. Most recent downloads were our latest single ‘Down With You’ as an experiement and the new single from L40

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

Bob Marley’s Uprising

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Recording all over the world in studios I’ve always wanted to be in with friends I’ve wanted to collaborate with

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

We always try and better our last project – that’s something we’ve always done and something every artist should try to do. We’re halfway through the new album and we think it will be our best album yet. The boys have matured and our songwriting is better than ever

KATCHAFIRE TOUR DATES

Friday 26th December

Coroglen Tavern

Coroglen

Saturday 27 December

Brewers Field

Mt Maunganui

Sunday 28 December

Riwaka Hotel

Riwaka

Monday 29 December

Station Village

Lower Hutt

Tuesday 30th December

Lakeside

Taupo

Wednesday 31st December

Butlers Reef

New Plymouth

Friday 2nd January 2015

Opononi Hotel

Opononi

Saturday 3rd January 2015

Mangawhai Tavern

Mangawhai



Share It

Your Comments

post a comment

More from this section   The Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire articles index

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Rhian Sheehan

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Rhian Sheehan

New Zealand electronica artists Rhian Sheehan has steered an astute path between experimental and ambient, orchestrated and elemental music, and as a result has been picking up acclaim from the... > Read more

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Blair Parkes

THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Blair Parkes

Among the many enjoyable local albums which have come out in the past few months, the new one by Blair Parkes out of Christchurch is the one which might struggle for attention against The Big... > Read more

Elsewhere at Elsewhere

Death Trash: Death Trash Rock and Roll (1988)

Death Trash: Death Trash Rock and Roll (1988)

For their 1988 album The 10000 RPM Groove Orgy, the band Death Trash didn't hide their ethic. Tracks include Liquor Whore, Sexbeast, Now I Wanna Make Some Noise, Mind Trashed and Loaded, True and... > Read more

Thailand and Vietnam: Things have changed

Thailand and Vietnam: Things have changed

Good news came by e-mail: Raymond is in touch again. The last time I saw him was a year ago when he was managing a luxury hotel in Thailand's Golden Triangle. He was a young and handsome Swiss guy... > Read more