Rockin Hep Cats is a band making waves with 1950’s and 1960’s rockabilly music in Dodge Center. Sounds of music from Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lewis, and the Johnny Burnette Trio. The band was founded by 21 yr old Coltan Smisek of Dodge Center. He became interested in music at the age of 10. He plays an acoustic guitar and is a vocalist. “My mother and father introduced me to the music of Johnny Cash through the form of two videos, 'Ring of Fire' and 'Jackson,' after that I was hooked,” he says. A little later, Smisek says he discovered Elvis Presley. “That was when everything changed,” he says. “I knew I wanted to pursue music for my career.”
A few years ago, when Smisek was a senior in high school, he met a slap bass player, Todd Owen. While Smisek was playing guitar and singing at the Annadine, here in Dodge Center, Owen suggested the two could have a jam session together sometime. Shortly thereafter, Owen’s son Ben Owen, a guitarist, asked if he could join in. One of the trio’s first official gigs was for the Eagles Cancer Telethon. Since the pandemic ended the Hep Cats have played at several venues.
For Smisek, having the father and son team join him to create a band has been a wonderful experience. “I enjoy working with two of the greatest musicians in this part of the country,” he says. “When I first started, I was on my own. Getting to play with Todd and Ben has been one of the biggest thrills of my life.” They are looking to add a fourth person to the band as a drummer.
For a band that focuses on music from an earlier generation, it seems to make sense to include two members from different generations of the same family. Todd Owen, who plays bass with the Rockin’ Hep Cats, is 49, and his son Ben Owen, the guitarist, is 16. Todd says he really enjoys playing with his son in the group since it gives him the opportunity to watch Ben improve his playing ability.
Coltan mentioned it was difficult to find a name that had not already been used for a rockabilly band. He didn’t want the band name to lead with Coltan and fill in the blank. He didn’t want to take the limelight away from his fellow bandmates. He used inspiration from a 1950’s magazine for hipsters that had a dictionary with slang from that time. Hep refers to hip or cool and cats refers to a cool guy!
To learn more about the Rockin’ Hep Cats and to dance the night away; check for new events on their Facebook page.
