Hepcat (band)
| Hepcat | |
|---|---|
| Origin | California, United States |
| Genres | Ska, Rocksteady |
| Years active | 1989–2000, 2003–present |
| Labels | BYO, Moon Ska, Hellcat |
| Associated acts |
The Aggrolites The Slackers |
| Members | Greg Lee Alex Désert Deston Berry Efren Santana Kincaid Smith Lino Trujillo Greg Narvas |
| Past members | David Fuentes (deceased) Joey "Pepe" Urquijo Raul Talavera Lino Trujillo Greg Narvas Dave Hillyard Joey Aguilera Jeremiah Ben Zion Dennis Wilson Aaron Owens (deceased) Chris Castanon Scott Abels |
Hepcat is a ska and reggae band formed in southern California in 1989. Their soulful harmonies and mellow rhythms were unlike those of contemporaries and more akin to musicians from the heyday of 1960s Jamaican ska, also referred to as the first wave.
Hepcat's debut album, Out of Nowhere was released in 1993 on New York-based ska label Moon Records. Two years later, they followed it up with Scientific on BYO Records. In 1998, after signing with Epitaph Records subsidiary HellCat Records, they released Right on Time, scoring a modest hit with the swinging "No Worries" and scored a spot on the Vans Warped Tour. 2000 saw the release of Push n' Shove, their first album without founding members Raul Talavera and Alex Désert, although the latter appears as a guest vocalist on two tracks.
The band went on a short hiatus after 2000, then reunited in March 2003, bringing back members of the "Scientific" lineup, sans alto sax Raul Talavera.
In early 2004, a remastered version of Out of Nowhere was released with two additional bonus tracks—an early version of "Nigel" and "Club Meditation"—both of which appeared on their first single.
Hepcat has since continued to play occasionally, with most appearances close to their home in Los Angeles. New songs have been written since their reunion, and an album is in the works.
On September 22, 2007, it was reported via the band's MySpace profile and corresponding blog that long-time bassist David Fuentes had died. No details were given, and as such, the band has taken to grieving the loss.
A few members of Hepcat have also participated in other endeavors. Trumpeter Kincaid Smith formed Soul Traffic, a five-piece funk band. Vocalist Alex Desert has had a successful career in film and television, appearing in the movies PCU, Swingers, and High Fidelity; and the television shows Boy Meets World and Becker.
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