Review
Hepcat - At the House of Blues
- Author:
- Review Date:
- 5/14/2001 13:27:35
Having arrived a bit late, I missed the opening act Tom Racer. Other show attendees seemed to have mixed feelings about Tom Racer, but I heard negative feedback the most, probably due to a clash between Tom Racer's style and the average Hepcat fan's taste.
The House of Blues was completely packed. Not only did tickets sell out just days before, but the show drew people in from as far as Bakersfield, Las Vegas, and San Diego, as well as celebrity-types like Ted Danson and Brian Setzer. Although it was great to see such a large turnout of Hepcat supporters, the number of people made simple things like dancing or maneuvering through the crowd difficult. Those who dared to venture into the dancefloor/pit area were mostly overwhelmed and had to spend more time dodging elbows and keeping their balance from the ever-shifting crowd than dancing and enjoying the music. Personally, I tried to 'hang' but frustration took over and I left my friends to find a cozy spot in the back. Breathing = good.
Anyone who has been a regular Hepcat fan for a while knows that the big question of the evening was whether or not singer Alex Desert would show up. Desert had been on hiatus from the band in order to pursue his acting career [he currently co-stars with Ted Danson on the CBS sitcom 'Becker'], and it had been well over a year since his last appearance with Hepcat in Southern California. The suspense was broken when Hepcat took the stage [sans Desert] and surprised us all by giving him a special introduction. This made everyone extremely happy, and it set the effervescent tone for the rest of the night.
Hepcat's set included 'Dance Wid' Me', 'Nigel', 'The Secret', 'Rudies All Around', 'Come Out', 'Hooligans', 'No Worries', 'I Can't Wait' and a few numbers from their forthcoming album [and for those of you wondering, rumor has it that Alex Desert will be on the new album]. At one point in between songs, singer Greg Lee responded to the requests being shouted from the crowd, telling them they didn't need to do that, 'we're playing them all tonight!' They didn't play them all, but they sure came close; they played 2 lively sets, complete with their trademark dance moves and synchronization. They're more than musicians-- they're entertainers. The great chemistry between band members on stage always keeps the crowd in high spirits. I didn't see any fights erupt, which was a shocker considering the amount of people and the fact that fights seem to be in the norm for ska shows these days.
It was an early show altogether-- doors had opened at 6:30 and it was only a little bit after 10PM when House of Blues security began shuffling all the under-agers out to make room for some Hustler shindig. The only negative thing to be said about this show is that it was so crowded. Fortunately, most people seemed to be having too much fun to care.
Many people have complained about the lack of Hepcat shows recently, saying they play more in Europe and on the east coast than in their own home town. I recently had a conversation with someone about the depleting number of good ska bands in L.A. and how Hepcat is one of the few left-- 'and L.A. doesn't even have them anymore!' But I think it is safe to say that any bitter fans who had been on that train of thought were won over once again. Hepcat always seems to be getting better, and they definitely deserve all the hype. Their songs have been featured on movie soundtracks and beer commercials. Most fans become discouraged when so many people start attending 'their' band's shows. It must be rewarding for a band to continue growing in success and expanding its audience while still pleasing their older fans and keeping them devoted. The show at House of Blues proved that Hepcat has accomplished this.
The House of Blues was completely packed. Not only did tickets sell out just days before, but the show drew people in from as far as Bakersfield, Las Vegas, and San Diego, as well as celebrity-types like Ted Danson and Brian Setzer. Although it was great to see such a large turnout of Hepcat supporters, the number of people made simple things like dancing or maneuvering through the crowd difficult. Those who dared to venture into the dancefloor/pit area were mostly overwhelmed and had to spend more time dodging elbows and keeping their balance from the ever-shifting crowd than dancing and enjoying the music. Personally, I tried to 'hang' but frustration took over and I left my friends to find a cozy spot in the back. Breathing = good.
Anyone who has been a regular Hepcat fan for a while knows that the big question of the evening was whether or not singer Alex Desert would show up. Desert had been on hiatus from the band in order to pursue his acting career [he currently co-stars with Ted Danson on the CBS sitcom 'Becker'], and it had been well over a year since his last appearance with Hepcat in Southern California. The suspense was broken when Hepcat took the stage [sans Desert] and surprised us all by giving him a special introduction. This made everyone extremely happy, and it set the effervescent tone for the rest of the night.
Hepcat's set included 'Dance Wid' Me', 'Nigel', 'The Secret', 'Rudies All Around', 'Come Out', 'Hooligans', 'No Worries', 'I Can't Wait' and a few numbers from their forthcoming album [and for those of you wondering, rumor has it that Alex Desert will be on the new album]. At one point in between songs, singer Greg Lee responded to the requests being shouted from the crowd, telling them they didn't need to do that, 'we're playing them all tonight!' They didn't play them all, but they sure came close; they played 2 lively sets, complete with their trademark dance moves and synchronization. They're more than musicians-- they're entertainers. The great chemistry between band members on stage always keeps the crowd in high spirits. I didn't see any fights erupt, which was a shocker considering the amount of people and the fact that fights seem to be in the norm for ska shows these days.
It was an early show altogether-- doors had opened at 6:30 and it was only a little bit after 10PM when House of Blues security began shuffling all the under-agers out to make room for some Hustler shindig. The only negative thing to be said about this show is that it was so crowded. Fortunately, most people seemed to be having too much fun to care.
Many people have complained about the lack of Hepcat shows recently, saying they play more in Europe and on the east coast than in their own home town. I recently had a conversation with someone about the depleting number of good ska bands in L.A. and how Hepcat is one of the few left-- 'and L.A. doesn't even have them anymore!' But I think it is safe to say that any bitter fans who had been on that train of thought were won over once again. Hepcat always seems to be getting better, and they definitely deserve all the hype. Their songs have been featured on movie soundtracks and beer commercials. Most fans become discouraged when so many people start attending 'their' band's shows. It must be rewarding for a band to continue growing in success and expanding its audience while still pleasing their older fans and keeping them devoted. The show at House of Blues proved that Hepcat has accomplished this.