Hepcat Dilemma officially released their new album “Art Imitates Life” with a successful release show at the Funhouse at Mr. Smalls on Saturday night. It was a beautiful but warm evening in Millvale and the band heated things up even more with a blistering set that featured most of the new album.
Starting with a brand new song, “Cincinnati” that segued into an intense version of “Memory Course”, the mood was electric from the start. Hepcat played seven songs off “Art Imitates Life” and premiered a rousing version of “(Theme from) Grease” which went down a storm. Along with the album tracks the band played four new songs that are destined for the next album and a selection of favorites that reached all the way back to the early days. (Complete set let below) The set concluded with a torrential version of a new song sporting the working title “Romper Room” that left no doubt that the next album will pick up right where “Art Imitates Life” leaves off.
Neostem got the night started with a terrific set that included songs from their latest “Mr. No Upside”, and some new pieces that should have everyone anxiously anticipating their next recording. Ryan Unrue
played some smoking guitar and was propelled by the powerful rhythm section of Matt Sedlak and Rob Marsili who were spot on all night.
Local legends ATS concluded the night with a special acoustic set that spanned their career from early classic “Divorce” to “Watering the Plants” and “Dusty Roads” from their latest outstanding album. The musicianship was top notch as always with Evan Knauer, Mike Marcinko and Steve Seel superb on acoustic guitars and Kip Ruefle alternating between an acoustic guitar and percussion. Steve Brown’s trumpet perfectly complimented the acoustic setting. ATS just continues to get better!
Hepcat Dilemma is delighted for the wonderful response to the new album and grateful to Mr. Smalls for their hospitality and Neostem and ATS for being part of a special evening.
Set list:
Cincinnati (premiere)
Memory Course
Persian Monkey Treatment
(Theme from) Grease (premiere)
Sky Cycle
Cowboy Song
Countdown
Bender Watch
Bank Robbery
Bouncy Song
The Hepcat Motto
The Chauffeur Will Have the Last Word
Stumbling the Streets of No Regret
What Will Her Kiss Mean Tomorrow?
Romper Room