THE last year has seen THE CAT EMPIRE emerge as one of Australia's most popular bands.
The Melbourne six-piece landed a huge hit with the breakthrough single Hello .
The song has remained synonymous with the band in Australia and overseas.
Trumpeter HARRY ANGUS said no matter where the band goes, the song follows.
``It's so funny, even in the US last year, a car screeched past and someone screamed out hello! because they had seen the show the night before,'' Angus said.
``It's something that just follows us around.'' The success of the single helped to boost the success of the band's self-titled debut album which was released last year and offered an eclectic blend of hip hop, funk, rap, jazz, and ska.
Earning a reputation as a standout live act, the band has become famed for its energetic live performances which rely heavily on improvisation.
Frontman and principle songwriter FELIX RIEBL said the band thrives on it.
`For me, the whole beauty of seeing a band live is actually being there that it's happening in that moment and especially for music that's improvised,'' Riebl said.
Live performances have taken up much of the band's time with tours across Australia, Europe and the UK.
With no end in sight, The Cat Empire will complete a brief run of dates across NSW and Victoria before heading back overseas for a lengthy tour of Europe and the UK.
Riebl said the band has been working on new material and reworking old tunes.
The Cat Empire's latest single The Chariot is out now.
The band returns to Newcastle for its second show of 2004 to perform at the BAR ON THE HILL tomorrow night.
Advance tickets cost $18 for students and $22 for guests.
Tickets will cost $25 at the door.
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