Che Fu fired up and ready to Supergroove

LAWRENCE SMITH/Sunday News

CAN'T GET ENOUGH: Hip Hop star Che Fu can't wait to get back in the groove with the '90s Kiwi band Supergroove, even though they 'fired' him.

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Che Fu can't wait to get back in the groove with the '90s Kiwi band he says fired him.

Rap star Che is reuniting with Supergroove tonight, at Auckland's Vector Arena, to support the reformed Crowded House before kicking off on a national tour.

Che fronted Supergroove when it topped the charts with hits like Can't Get Enough and Sitting Inside My Head.

But the band split in 1997, with rumours of creative differences.

"I didn't leave the band I was asked to resign. I was kind of fired from the band," Che told Sunday News.

Asked why he was sacked, Che said: "To be absolutely honest, I don't have a reason as to why I was asked to leave.

"It wasn't because we were fighting or arguing or any sort of confrontations.

"That's part of the reason why I'm being a part of this project to get a bit resolve out of that for me on a personal level. I always wondered why.

"The general feeling I get was the guys were heading in a different direction musically. We just finished a world tour when this went down. We got back from England and the vibe was indie-rock-pop type thing.

"They were moving towards that sort of thing, kind of away from the soul, funk, rap...which is what I brought to the band."

Che was disappointed, but says there's no animosity.

"It's been 10 years since we were last a band. That's more than enough to get over that," he said.

"We are all old, those feelings have subsided.

"One of the other main reasons we were a band was the music. That was always cool for me. I always enjoyed being part of the music.

"Coming together has been really enjoyable and hooking up with the guys. We are just making our peace with each other."

Che was shocked when he heard plans for the Supergroove reunion.

"Well I think I was quite surprised that a few of the boys wanted to get back together," he said.

"I was thinking when the band split up, that that was it. It was a shock that the boys came back together."

But he couldn't wait to get back into the rehearsal studio with the band.

"The rhythm section had some rehearsals to get together, but I couldn't wait so I sat in on the sessions and ended up having rehearsals.

"It was kind of funny. We are all really old, with children and stuff."

Che Fu sees the Supergroove reunion tour as a chance for closure.

"It's always been a little bit of a niggle for me as far as my career," he said.

"And the main reason for me joining the band is to get over that, and find some resolution."

Supergroove's getting back together has got the nod from music legend Neil Finn.

"Neil gave it the big OK, which made me feel cool," Che said.

- © Fairfax NZ News