I was thoroughly excited when I saw the line up for this show. The Aggrolites opening for Hepcat is every ska revival fans wet dream. Hepcat sold out the House of Blues in Hollywood, so they added a show in Anaheim which to no one surprise  sold out as well. Before this year it had been about 4 years since I saw them last so it was safe to say that I was stoked that this was happening. 

    The show was located at Downtown Disney on a Saturday night during prom season.  Parking was a nightmare, and it was extremely crowded. Once I got to the House of Blues I try to put a ticket at will call for a friend who was coming late. Well apparently they don't accept outside parties at will call; which I find strange, but I didn't argue and continue to the line to get inside.  The venue was full but not at capacity, and we find a spot on the dance floor. I love going to ska revival shows because the crowd always gets dressed up in their best dresses and Fred Perry polos. It's nice to see the scene come together for the music and fashion. 

     The big patchy curtains pull open and The Aggrolites start roaring up. The LA based band have a unique sound they call "Dirty Reggae", mixing ska, reggae, and soul with just a more gritty sound. The sound was great and Jesse Wagner, their lead singer, was full of energy getting everyone moving in some sort of way.  The seven member band played a sweet selection of songs from "Country Fiddle" to their song "Banana" that was featured on the children's show "Yo! Gabba Gabba!" encouraging kids to eat bananas. Closing their set with an amazing cover of "Don't Let Me Down" by The Beatles. Where they take the classic and give it that "dirty reggae" sound.  

  Next is what we've all been waiting for, Hepcat! This band is also from LA, and in my opinion the best thing to happen to the Southern California's ska scene. The lead singers of this band are seriously the best to watch, with choreographed dance moves straight from the sixties. At this point the dance floor is shoulder to shoulder with no chance of moving. So, I head towards the back by the bar. The view was still perfect and I had enough room to dance my heart out.  Even though the place was packed to the brim some how people still found a way to dance because you just can't help it. They played all my favorites, especially "Dance wid Me". The entire band as a whole played flawlessly with phenomenal stage presence. With the help of music event marketing, Saying this show was great is an understatement, the sound was perfect, the bands were wonderful and so where the fans. Hepcat could clearly see that as well and thanked the fans for all the years of support.  It was truly an event for the books.