Kai Hii Kitora--The Review

Selected for Rockit on the 25th of September - this is one band we'll be hearing more from soon...

Kai Hii Kitora is a melodic Rock n roll band with quirky but catchy pop hooks and driving rhythms. The band was originally formed out of guitarist Greg's, and drummer Wattie's, boredom at school. After hiring and firing enough second guitarists, bassists and singers to form a punk rock marching-band, the lineup was finally completed; First with the addition of new singer Arthur, aspiring dentist Screech (BDS) on bass and Dr. Adam on live electronics.

Live, Kai Hii Kitora is a relentless frenzy of sweat, energy, dance, boy band on benefits geek-chic, swinging mike stands, headstocks and great hair.

The Kai Hii stage is usually lit up by a modest arrangement of Christmas lights, with the band's insisting that all the other lights in the venues that they play be killed. In between songs, the band often break up the action by giving ludicrous props to deceased feminist writers, characters from early to mid-90's family comedies and those in attendance who have followed the band. Those who have seen them in the numerous house parties, bars and beach shows that they've played on the way to playing venues like the Rockit festival in Victoria Park.

Contrary to many of the member's past habits of being in multiple bands at any one time, Greg decided that Kai Hii would be his one project this year.

Because of this, the band's music has a vast range of dynamics and sounds. From the art-rock discordance and dance rhythms of 'the hustler', to the acerbic pop of 'hott with two ts' and the spacey opening number 'Bho's night out', the band covers a lot of ground. Lyrically, Kai Hii aren't content to play it safe by writing the standard love song or the scathing by the book political diatribe that's destined to alienate many. No, the band alienates EVERYBODY by peppering their songs with in jokes, obscure book and movie references and the effective use of play on words and inspiration drawn from 60's beat poetry.

With a split with secret agents of soul, more shows and an EP of their own scheduled for release later this year, the band looks to keep very busy. So catch them on the way up, whether it be at the Rockit festival or mid-week in some smoky bar.

Arthur, Adam, Greg, Joseph, Luke

Kai Hii Kitora

KHK

KHK

Kai Hii Kitora friends at Rockit

Arthur & the Fascist Giraffe at Battle of the Bands at KGV

Battle of the Bands, KGV

Battle of the Bands

Below, Kai Hii Kitora ROCKIT 2004

Kai Hii Kitora