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) with elements of soul, jazz and R&B.

Career

Hepcat's debut album, Out of Nowhere was released in 1993 on the 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, Hepcat went on a hiatus, then reunited in 2003 and continued touring. In 2007, the long-time bassist David Fuentes died, which resulted in the band being less active again. In 2015, the guitarist Aaron Owens died as well. Hepcat continues performing at concerts and festivals, but infrequently.

Discography

  • Out of Nowhere (1993), Moon Ska Records
  • Scientific (1996), BYO Records
  • Right on Time (1998), Hellcat Records
  • Push 'n Shove (2000), Hellcat Records
  • Out of Nowhere (Hellcat re-release with two bonus tracks) (2004)
  • Live at The Whiskey a Go-Go (2011), Whatevski Records

Band members

Current members

  • Alex Désert – vocals
  • Deston Berry – keys and vocals
  • Efren Santana – tenor sax (joined on Scientific)
  • Kincaid Smith – trumpet, flugelhorn (joined on Scientific)
  • Lino Trujillo – guitar (from Scientific)
  • Greg Narvas – drums and percussion (Out of Nowhere and Scientific)

Former members

  • Greg Lee&nbsp;– vocals <small>(died in 2024)</small>
  • David Fuentes&nbsp;– bass, E. upright <small>(died in 2007)</small>
  • Aaron Owens&nbsp;– guitar (credited as an additional musician on Right on Time, joined on Push n' Shove) <small>(died in 2015)</small>
  • Joey "Pepe" Urquijo&nbsp;– bass ("Nigel" and "Club Meditation" — first single)
  • Raul Talavera&nbsp;– alto sax (through Right on Time)
  • Dave Hillyard&nbsp;– tenor sax (Out of Nowhere)
  • Joey Aguilera&nbsp;– guitar (Scientific Tour)
  • Dennis Wilson&nbsp;– guitar (Out of Nowhere)
  • Jeremiah BenZion (Settles)&nbsp;– tenor sax (Out of Nowhere)
  • Chris Castanon&nbsp;– drums (in between Scientific and Push n' Shove)
  • Scott Abels&nbsp;– drums and percussion (credited as an additional musician on Right on Time, joined on Push n' Shove)

References