Hepcat Scientific

Hepcat's 1996 Studio Album Scientific on LP.

Hepcat was formed in 1989 in Los Angeles, California, by the late vocalist Greg Lee and keyboardist Deston Berry, has created a musically complex sound that combines ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub, soul, Caribbean melodies, deep rich harmonies, and latin and jazz elements that appeals to Rastas, skate punks, mods, and jazz enthusiasts alike. The term “Hepcat” originated from the word “Hep” which was early 1930’s slang pertaining to a devotee of jazz, especially swing. It was also the name of vocalist Alex Désert’s cat – “Hep-Cat”.

Hepcat’s debut album, Out of Nowhere, was released on Moon Records in 1993, displaying its creative abilities as well as tight vocal and instrumental performance. Three years later, Scientific was released on BYO Records, which fueled the band’s rising local notoriety. Hepcat’s 1997 album, Right On Time, and 2000's Push ’N Shove, both released on Rancid’s Tim Armstrong’s Hellcat label, established the group as a pioneer of modern ska in the 1990s - one that was primarily influenced by the retro Jamaican rhythms of the 1960s.

Hepcat’s signature style, sound and live performance continue to impact new generations of music enthusiasts worldwide.