IRATION.COM

     We are moving this site to our very own domain at iration.com, which we purchased to give a better and easier way for people to connect to the pages we do. We are planning on adding plenty of other new changes to this site coming in the near future, so watch for them soon! So remember to change your bookmarks to the new address.

HEPCAT HELPS HEAL THE BAY

     Hepcat is slated to appear on a new compilation entitled "The Solution To Heal The Bay," on Mojo Records. The set is scheduled for release on May 9th, 2000. The two-disc set features 28 tracks and some of the proceeds from the album will benefit Heal The Bay, an organization trying to improve Southern California's coastal waters. Hepcat lends a live version of "Positive," which is more than likely the same version as found on the tough-to-find "No Worries" import single.

     Other acts appearing on the set include Dance Hall Crashers, Ozomatli, Less Than Jake, Goldfinger, Blink-182, Rentals, and many others. The collection is mostly comprised of unreleased, b-sides, and other rare material. The set sounds like a great purchase because of the wide variety of musics represented and it also helps to support a great cause. For more information about Heal The Bay, visit their website.

ZINES WITH HEPCAT NOT TO MISS

     There are a few new press related Hepcat articles/interviews to announce. The black and white print zine "Aquatulle," which describes itself as "a journey into yesterday's pop culture madness," has a six-page spread on Hepcat. Issue #4 of "Aquatulle" includes an informative and fascinating interview with Deston Berry, Greg Lee and Efren Santana.

     If you have ever wondered what part the band Fishbone has played in the music of Hepcat or what movies Hepcat watched on a recent tour, then you've got to pick up this issue. Mark Mendelis conducted the interview and is also a contributing editor to the fanzine. If you would like to order "Aquatulle," e-mail them at DROOPER123@aol.com for more information, or send $4 post-paid to:

Aquatulle
48 Eighth Ave.
Suite 320
New York, NY  10014

     Some of the other interesting and creative features in this 90-plus page issue include "A Conversation With Uncle Floyd," "Thanks For The Memories Wilma Flintstone 1919-1999," cartoons, and a very cool game based around the "Three's Company" television show. It's all well worth checking out!

     Another great interview with Hepcat's Kincaid Smith can be found online at Nick Williams' "These Boots!" zine. The December 1999 issue (the current one) is where the interview can be found and you can read about how Hepcat did a European concert out of the back of a moving truck as well as view some great photos of Kincaid, Greg Lee and Efren Santana. Head over to: http://www.geocities.com/theseboots66/ where you'll also find album reviews, concert reviews, interviews and much more, as well as the Hepcat interview.

HEPCAT SHOWS REVIEWED

     Hepcat recently performed three California shows in late January and early February, and we are lucky enough to have some reviews and setlists from two of the shows collected by Hepcat fans Andrew Hanson, Carly (Litlrudi) and Ryan Kelley. We greatly appreciate them sharing their thoughts and time with the many of us who were not lucky enough to see the show! Word has it that Alex Desert was present with the rest of the band for the shows and as usual the shows were up to the masterful quality that Hepcat always brings.

January 21, 2000
House Of Blues - Hollywood, California
by Andrew Hanson

Intro
Penny Reel / Beautiful
Rudies
Dance With Me
Monkey Ska
Can't Wait
Ronnie
Artibella / Big Bamboo
Tek Dat
Come Out / Riding The Region
The Secret
Nigel
No Worries
Spins

Encore:
Hooligans (+ one other Bob Marley cover)
John James
Ska Train

January 21, 2000
House Of Blues - Hollywood, California
by Carly (Litlrudi)

January 22, 2000 Belly Up Tavern - Solana Beach, California by Ryan Kelley   Hepcat was at the top of their form as they played a whopping 27 songs for a lively, dancing crowd at Solana Beach's Belly Up Tavern. The Upbeat opened the show with a long set of energetic ska/rocksteady/reggae that included the band's own interpretations of classic standards, from The Skatalites to Bob Marley, along with many of their own original tunes.   After a seemingly endless set-up/soundcheck, Hepcat hit the stage. To everyone's delight, Greg Lee was accompanied by the recently absent Alex Desert, and it was quite a treat to see both of the singers perform together again. The set included many new songs, along with classics from all three albums; but whenever a song from "Right on Time" was played, the entire audience was singing along. Perhaps the biggest treat of the evening was when the band came out for not one, but two four-song encores.   Setlist (songs that are listed after a slash were played without a break): Intro Penny Reel / Beautiful Rudies All Around Dance With Me Monkey Ska Answer Is You Can't Wait Ronnie Artibella / Big Bamboo Tek Dat Marcus Garvey Come Out / Riding the Region The Secret Nigel No Worries Spins First Encore: Hooligans John James Mr. Talkative Ska Train Second Encore: Bobby And Joe Country Time Relation Clarence Thomas

HEPCAT E-MAIL ADDRESS

     Before we can find a permanent spot somewhere on the site for it, once again here is Hepcat's e-mail address where anyone can get in contact with the band. The address is: dancingmood@hotmail.com, so send them some messages!

If you want to catch up on all of the Hepcat news that you missed, follow this link.

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