LA-based ska / rocksteady band Hepcat blew onto the 1990s SoCal ska revival scene and quickly built a following of with their mix of Caribbean reggae and rocksteady, R&B, jazz, and swing. Their releases include 1993’s Out of Nowhere, 1996’s Scientific, the critically-acclaimed 1998 album Right On Time, and finally their 2000 release Push N’ Shove, which was preceded by their dissolution as a band. They reformed in 2003 and tour intermittently, providing a rare treat for hardcore ska fans.

Hepcat recently announced a slate of 2009 tour dates with headliners Flogging Molly.

About Hepcat

Hepcat was formed in 1989 by 2 hardcore reggae music fans: lead vocalist Greg Lee and keyboard/vocalist Deston Berry. The current Hepcat band lineup includes:

• Greg Lee (No. 6) front man and lead vocalist
• Alex Desert (No. 7) – lead vocalist
• Deston Berry – keyboards and vocals
• Kincaid Smith – trumpet and flugel horn
• Efren Santana – tenor sax
• Lino Trujillo – guitar
• Greg Narvas – drums and percussion
• David Fuentes – bass guitar, passed away in 2007

Ska-reggae-punk band Rancid’s Tim Armstrong describes Hepcat’s “devotion to the classic stylings of reggae and ska that is unparalleled. There are few bands more knowledgeable about reggae — when we took Hepcat to Jamaica to jam on some Rancid tracks, it was like they had lived there… they knew about every person, place, and studio in the Kingston scene. Hepcat are true scholars in this type of music.”

Hepcat’s early history – modest reggae lovers

Hepcat released their first ska album, Out of Nowhere, on Moon Records in 1993. The ska release was a hit and they followed up with their 2nd ska album, Scientific, on BYO Records in 1996. Hepcat’s ska and reggae audience grew thanks to North American and European reggae tours.

Right on Time – Hepcat’s breakthrough crossover ska album

Hepcat built on their success by signing with Hellcat/Epitaph Records, which was co-owned by Brett Gurewitz and Tim Armstrong of punk/ska band Rancid and the release of their 3rd ska album, Right On Time. Right On Time was a critical and commercial hit, thanks in part to coproduction by Stoker, the drummer for General Public and Dexy’s Midnight Runners and producer of The Specials and Dance Hall Crashers.

Right On Time helped Hepcat break the mold of “just another ska band” and create a wide following thanks to an energetic blend of ska, reggae, rocksteady, R&B, and jazz. Right On Time appeared on Time magazine’s 1998 list of Top 10 Albums for that year.

Hepcat built on Right On Time’s success as a crossover ska album with an extensive touring schedule, with shows including:

• UK Reading Festival
• Holland’s Lowlands Festival
• Germany’s Bizarre Festival
• Italy’s Independent Day
• The Warped Tours

… where they played alongside other reggae and ska heavyweights including Rancid and the Skatalites.

Efren Santana, Hepcat saxophonist, explains that the band’s crossover appeal leads to a diverse audience at their music shows, typicaly including “a bunch of rude boys, a bunch of skaters, and a bunch of regular people and older fans who just love the music.”

Hepcat disbands and reunites

After 11 years together, Hepcat disbanded without explanation in 2000, just 2 weeks before the release of their latest ska record, Push N Shove. Founding Hepcat members Raul Talavera and Alex Désert did not participate in the album’s creation, though Désert performed a couple of guest tracks.

Hepcat reunited 3 years later (with the exception of saxophonist Raul Talavera) to play a sold-out show at LA’s House of Blues in July 2003. Frontman Greg Lee has explained that “We went through a lot of trials as a band, like any other band does. But all the while we kept pushing toward one goal, which was ripening this Hepcat sound. We have all these songs where we talk about problems, but you’ve got to keep keepin’ on. Hepcat’s underlying theme throughout all these years has been about perseverance, keeping ourselves focused, and keeping the love there.”

Hepcat released a remastered version of Out Of Nowhere in 2004. The album included extensive liner notes and 2 bonus tracks from their first single: a version of Nigel and Club Meditation.

From that time, Hepcat has resurfaced occasionally to play new shows and began work on an album in 2006.

In 2007 Hepcat’s bassist David Fuentes passed away. He was in his mid-30s and this was a difficult time for the band, forcing them to cancel some shows.

But even this tragic event could not keep the band away from their fans: Fuentes’ legacy continues today as Hepcat kicks off a 2009 tour with Flogging Molly throughout the west coast of the US.

Hepcat ska music player from Epitaph Records

Enjoy some Hepcat tunes!

More Hepcat websites and information

For more information, check out:

• New Official Hepcat website
• Old Official Hepcat website
• Hepcat on MySpace
• Hepcat on Epitaph records

For Hepcat booking information, please contact:
Andy Somers at ANDYSOMERS@THEAGENCYGROUP.COM
or Andy’s assistant Courtney Hyatt at COURTNEYHYATT@THEAGENCYGROUP.COM
Phone: 310-385-2800

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