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Kato
remain one of the UK's most popular CCM acts. Their major
label debut “Welcome to my world” was one of
2001’s top sellers, outstripping many of the US imports,
and 2002’s massive 26 date “Welcome Tour”
sealed their strong UK fanbase. 'Songs to help you survive'
also released in 2002, received huge critical acclaim both
in the UK and beyond, with radio stations playlisting as
many as five singles.
The
Kato story is one based around a desire to produce quality
songs and an energetic live show that leaves you physically
exhausted but spiritually challenged. "The live show
is always a journey, both for us and the audience,"
say frontman Keith Ayling, "we want to ask questions
of the audience - make them think about life - and combine
that with the most entertaining show we can."
Formed
in 1996 by songwriter Keith Ayling, Kato started life kicking
and screaming in a derelict rehearsal room called red box.
Keith had just taken a three month break to re-engineer
the dream, and had written a catalogue of new songs. After
only a few hours with the new lineup the Kato sound was
born.
Prior to this Keith had spent years either solo or with
his band K playing gigs and festivals both in the UK and
Germany. Long-time friend & guitarist Mick Buckley has
been there since the beginning and the partnership has now
recorded 14 albums together, 5 of these with Kato. But it
was the forming of Kato that heralded a new direction, a
new sound and a new purpose for the songs. After just four
rehearsals the band debuted with a two week residency at
UK conference Spring Harvest, which has since become one
of the band’s spiritual homes.
Between
1996 and 2000 the band released “The thirty nine steps”(96),
“Seasider” (97) and “Home Movies”
(99) all on Keith’s Bigsky label. Both The thirty
nine steps and Seasider were recorded in Manchester’s
Cutting Rooms, an early home to Oasis and numerous other
Manchester names.
By the time Seasider came along the Kato sound had been
honed into an energetic mix of brit-pop anthem and soul-searching
rock. The next year was spent on the road playing nearly
every church hall in the country and every festival as the
bands unique vision of positive communication developed.
Mainstage appearances at Greenbelt to 12,000 people as well
as tours and European gigs ensured that the Kato message
was beginning to develop a personal commitment from fans
who knew just what could happen.
Few
bands have a mission outside of commercial success. Kato’s
desire to not only produce songs that help you survive modern
life but resource youth workers worldwide in their work
with youth projects has given the band a unique position.
The band believes their gifts are from God and He deserves
the credit for anything that happens along the way, meanwhile
there is a lot of work for Kato to do as they promote positive
action in international youth work.
The
signing to newly created label Elevation in 2000 brought
the massive selling “Welcome to my world” to
an international audience. Partnering with Toploader producer
Dave Lynch, Kato found a place where they could develop
their recorded sound into songs the world will sing. And
the proof was soon to follow as reviewers wrote, “Along
with Delirious this is as good as UK CCM gets.”, and
New Jersey Christian radio playlisted song
Heaven Help at number one.
As
Welcome became one of the
UK’s top sellers in 2001, outstripping many US acts,
the band embarked on their most ambitious tour, playing
26 venues nationwide, a feat rarely attempted by a CCM ACT.
The Tour proved both the strength of Kato’s UK fanbase
and the need for positive youth tours to take place.
By the time Kato had reached the end of the tour “Welcome”
had become a top 5 album and Spring Harvest beckoned. It
was then for Keith a testing month as the band prepared
to record their second major release in 14 months, he had
just four weeks to write the album.
But as so often has proved the case Keith writes best under
pressure and Songs to help you survive, perhaps Kato’s
most complete collection of songs displays trademark soaring
melodies and more reflection on life in this post-modern,
post-millennium age with and without the “survival
guide.”
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