Episode 15 – Ska Soul & Hepcat’s “Right on Time”
Dr. Joey “Leviathan” and Bobby “Behemoth” crack open the 1998 Hepcat album Right on Time and explain why its laid-back, horn-laced grooves still slap harder than most late-90s ska. They trace their own fandom back to a popcorn-dusted CD borrowed in high school, then pick apart the record’s three-part harmonies, jazz-trained horn section, and sly references to rude-boy culture. Along the way they compare first-wave Kingston roots to third-wave California polish and debate whether “Together Someday” or “Goodbye Street” deserves top-track status. As always, the analysis is sprinkled with off-the-rails banter—from bellhop gorillas to secret-sandwich lisps—that somehow circles back to the music.
What’s inside
- First-wave roots meet third-wave shine – how Hepcat channels 1960s Jamaica and Motown while recording in Tim Armstrong’s 90s studio.
- The CD that taught respect – a high-school loaner copy that came back covered in popcorn dust, plus
- the “new disc for Dr. Dave” apology
- realizing other people’s albums aren’t backpacks
- Three-part crooning & jazz chops – Greg Lee, Alex Désert, Deston Berry and a horn line that balances polish with improv.
- Track breakdowns – “Together Someday,” “Nigel,” “No Worries,” and the hidden dub version of “The Secret.”
- Rude boys, toasting & ska lore – friendly lyrical battles, East-vs-West Coast nods, and why “Open Season is Closed.”
- Polish over pogo – why Hepcat’s lounge-ready swing stands apart from punk-leaning peers like the Bosstones.
- Comic detours that keep it human – lisp insecurities, Mitch Hedberg’s chef/farmer joke, and cheering “in our pockets.”
Why listen
Whether you’re a longtime ska head or just hunting for feel-good grooves, this episode delivers a listener-friendly crash course in Hepcat’s finest hour—plus enough comedic side quests to make you grin between horn stabs.
