Cairo Knife Fight

About the Artist

Cairo Knife Fight is the dangerous twosome Nick Gaffaney, a man who has drummed his way around the place for many of our leading songwriters, and Aaron Tokona, the founder and front man of iconic rock group Weta.

Spitting on the rock band rule book, it’s the drummer stepping out of the shadows to lead. One loop station, a synth and a couple of guitar amps can generate massive noise in the right hands. They are the right hands we were talking about and, just like a rumble in a souk, they wield their instruments with hectic passion and in a dangerously free manner. Coming together as a duo in 2009 from the ashes of the past 6 piece version of the band, Cairo Knife Fight attempt to define a new musical landscape for themselves with Nick Gaffaney rewriting the role of singer/drummer with the added responsibilities of bass playing and Aaron Tokona pushing the limits of the guitar sonically and rhythmically to create a unique blend of beautiful songwriting and free flowing improvisation. Since paring down in mid 2009 to the duo format, Cairo Knife Fight have shot to the attention of the public after gaining a standing ovation from a packed Opera House in Wellington following their support set for UK act Gomez in late 2009 and being hand picked by Them Crooked Vultures to open for their New Zealand tour earlier this year.

July 2010 has also seen CKF release their self titled EP. The first single ‘This is Love’ has been included on the NZ Radio Hit Disk for mid 2010 seeing it rated as one of the songs of the year. The EP has flown off shelves around New Zealand and interest is growing around Australasia for this unusual pairing of musicians and the extraordinary sound they create. A must see live act of power and excitement, Cairo Knife Fight are pushing the limits of what two musicians can do on one stage.