Bio
Brian Hatcher
Born in Hawera in 1966, raised in the small town of Inglewood. Brian's Father, Robert, played bass guitar.He had a close friend,the late Tu Winiata, who sung and played guitar, so from an early age music was in the home. Around the age of 10, Brian had started picking up some basic chords and playing along with his Father & friends as they rehearsed. At that time Brian became heavily influenced by N.Z. guitar icon Peter Posa. Brian loved playing Peter Posa instrumentals and at a young age was soon performing alongside his Dad & Tu in the local taverns, when they were able to sneak him in! In the late '70's, Brian made an appearance on a N.Z. TV show (Telethon), performing a classic instrumental, Guitar Boogie. Robert started entering Brian into local talent shows and through the school holidays traveling away to perform in Country Music Award Shows. Around that time, Brian's younger brothers were showing an interest, especially Dean who had an old drum kit at home, Dean could not stay off them, it became the "norm" for the boys to get home from school and jam away, driving neighbours and Mum, crazy!! As Brian hit his teens, musical influences were growing & changing. A huge turning point was when Brian heard "Eruption" by Eddie VanHalen,. This opened the door to a whole new world of guitar. Ritchie Blackmore ,Jimi Hendrix, Gary Moore and Eric Clapton had Brian in his room with their records and his guitar, intrigued by their styles and tones practicing their licks an riffs. It wasn't long Brian was out and about hanging and playing with local musicians and performing live when ever he could.
In 1985 at age 19, he auditioned and was hired by a Levin promotion company (Country Promotions) to play alongside many Kiwi entertainers that were touring, mostly caberet type shows,
Country Singers- Eddie Lowe, Tony Williams and Brendan Dougan, N.Z jazz icon- Roger Fox Big Band and Rock'n'rollers- Tom Sharplin & Johnny Devlin....to name a few.
In 1990, Brian branched off to play full time for N.Z. Rock "n" Roll icon Tom Sharplin and his band "The Cadilacs". An album, single, video and tv appearances, along with countless tours through-out N.Z., as in the early/mid '90s this show was in popular demand. This time also brought many opportunities to work alongside other great entertainers such as Ritchie Pickett, Ray Columbus, Midge Marsden, the late Tommy Adderly, Suzanne Lynch, Shane Hales, Bass players Ray Eade, Billy Christian and many other inspirational entertainers & musicians.
In 1994, working and touring as a backing guitar player , brought frustrations for Brian and at times the people he was working for & alongside, as he was growing as a guitar player but felt at times he was confined and un-able to express and experiment. Although 10yrs had taught versatility and skills as a young guitar player, this wasn't really what Brian was wanting to do anymore. As since the late '80s, Brian had been listening to a lot of other guitar influences,as mentioned above,a strong passion had also developed for Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robben Ford and Joe Satriani. Brian was so wanting to play in a situation where he could express & explore these influences. Tom & Brian's relationship became strained and this Cadilac line-up came to an end. Settling back in Taranaki, Brian and his brother Dean (who was drumming for "the Cadilacs") wanted to put more into their own band, which they had been working on for a short time, with youngest brother Craig,who was 16 at the time. The band had no name and the Naki referred to them as "The Hatcher Brothers"! This name stuck and the popularity of the band grew. Pubs, bike clubs and Hall gigs were the norm, playing rock and blues covers. Brian built up a fierce reputation as a guitar virtuoso delivering captivating guitar solo's, gig after gig. Improvisation was another element the band delivered. These guys played hard and proud!! Up to the late '90s, Taranaki had a very active music scene, lots of venues, lots of bands. Only a few could pull it off at the "White Hart Hotel" public bar . The "Hatcher Brothers" maintained a resident billing, Friday nights becoming a regular gig. 1997, for personal reasons Dean parted ways with his brothers and moved away. Brian and Craig were gutted but not detered.
1997, Brian approached seasoned drummer Dean Ormsby to sit in with a new line up including piano player, Matt Russell. Down the track, Ormsby collected an injury,got his foot in plaster ,and was unable to gig. Local drummer, Jarrod Hooper sat in late '98, at a benefit concert. Ritchie Pickett, renowned piano "wild-man", sat in to do his set with the guys ,who were back to their electric," in your face" show. An immediate chemistry was formed and Jarrod stayed on. Jarrod's explosive flare as a drummer injected a new enthusiasm working well with Craig, a man of few words or expressions but a true Groove-myster, thus forming a formidable rhythm section that hung off every note Brian played.(Matt floated in & out of the band until 2001. ) Brian started to ease back into various session work, recording guitar on a number of projects, studio and live.
January 2000, Brian was invited to be involved in a tuitional video/c.d. entitled "Super Session Series" , put together by Tauranga based drummer , Paul Higgins. Paul and Brian had worked together in tours, studio gigs e.t.c. and had become close friends since 1990. The other musicians involved were all re-nowned funk/soul/RnB session players. Mickey Ututaonga, Max Stowers and Ernie Semu. This was filmed and recorded in around 48 hrs and released the following year.
By now Brian, Jarrod & Craig were steering away from the blues and had started working on and recording original material, adding a more hard -edged rock sound.
In 2007 a single,(written & composed by Brian) "Dreams", was released with no high expectations. How-ever, while doing a gig with Tom Sharplin, Brian had slipped him a copy and Tom banged on some doors. Next thing ,it was being heard on Radio Hauraki, Kiwi F.M and Most F.M. !!. The guys still don't know how this song came about as it has a country/rock feel. A little "left" to the rest of their usual material. Brian is a modest vocalist but this track highlights a soulful richness in Brian's vocal performance.
In 2008, Capital C records brought an international line-up of great rock legends to Wellington headlined by Kiss & Ozzy Osbourne. Capital C and "The Rock" f.m staged a competition searching for 6 shredding guitar players to open the first night. Final 15 were selected to battle it out in front of judges and a live audience,no band, no backing tracks, just guitar & amp. Each took the stage to deliver their solo, Brian was able to seal a spot in that final 6, along with fellow New Plymouth guitar Wizard, Darren Broughton. Brian was recognised as "outstanding player of the night" and was honored to have his audition track played on "The Rock" F.M after the final 6 were named. This meant performing a 6 minute virtuoso solo to open the event at the Westpac stadium, Wellington. Brian was soon to realize this would lead on to an even bigger performance a few months down the track.
In the same year, New Plymouth was fortunate to host an International guitar festival, "GTARanaki". Garry Sharpe-Young reached out to pull some high profile musicians from around the globe, to stage a week long guitar festival this had never been staged before in New Zealand. The festival ended with 2 massive shows. Friday night & then the Saturday night with head-line act, the most influenced & Incredible ,guitar virtuoso, Joe Satriani . Brian was to secure the opening set for this much anticipated Saturday night show. A 30 minute kick-arse set with Jarrod & Craig, opening with a new original instrumental, 1060, composed over the weeks while rehearsing for the night. A version of Jimi Hendrix's "Freedom" was to follow. Brian then went solo with a small instrumental piece "Tears". Set rounded off featuring Darren Broughton joining the guys on stage for 3 songs. A wicked collaboration, a long time coming but well worth the wait!
2009, Brian Hatcher Band kicked off with a couple of Summer outdoor gigs .Promoters for Parihaka Peace Festival had caught one of the shows and have scheduled the band for the 2010 festival.
Brian maintains juggling his musical career, alongside the reality of holding down day jobs, supporting people with disabilities and teaching guitar privately and in schools.
It has been said ,"Brian Hatcher is without a doubt, one of N.Z's finest guitar players, his passion, versatility , signature style & tone is truly captivating."