Hepcat

Hepcat ranked high among the standout acts to arise from Southern California’s 1990s ska revival, drawing listeners through their buoyant Caribbean melodies, soulful vocal blends, and propulsive grooves shaped by reggae, rock steady, R&B, and jazz. The lineup featured vocalists Greg Lee and Alex Desert, keyboardist Deston Berry, guitarist Aaron Owens, bassist Dave Fuentes, saxophonists Efren Santana and Raul Talavera, trumpeter Kincaid Smith, and drummer Scott Abels. Established in 1989, the group generated rapid attention that led to the 1993 release of their first album, Out of Nowhere. Following Scientific in 1996, they joined Epitaph and appeared as a featured act on the 1997 Warped Tour, then delivered their third album, Right on Time, in 1998, with Push N’ Shove arriving in summer 2000. Hepcat vocalist Greg Lee died on March 19, 2024, at the age of 53.