13 Inane Questions with Alex Desert of the Hepcats

The space is jam-packed with sweaty cats of all shapes and sizes; the swing kids in their three-piece suits, the hard-core ska folks with their shaved-heads and grizzly demeanor and the average joe, all brimming with excitement.

The closet-size room's temperature is that of a mouth after eating a large Mexican meal. Just walking into the place provides a stinky sweat bath. But, the crowd is jazzed all the same.

Onto the tiny Hi-Pointe theater stage walk the Hepcats. Like a cool breeze, they settle the room. The crowd starts to sway like tall grass to the smooth rhythms of the band. After a lengthy musical intro, Alex Desert, one of Hepcats' two lead singers, starts his wail.

Three hours earlier, Desert was relaxing and enjoying a pre-show drink. He met me at the Hi Pointe's restaurant to unload the skinny about his dual career as lead singer for the Hepcats and as a Hollywood actor. After roles in "The Flash," and "P.C.U.," Desert snared the role of Charles in the "money" flick "Swingers," which made him part of the reborn rat pack.

Why do you think Swingers was so much the phenomenon that it was?

It's just telling truths. I don't know how many women came up to me saying "I'm glad I saw that movie, because now I know all you guys' secrets." And the odd thing was when we shot the movie, I never thought of it like that. I just thought it was a manly man's flick. And it's all truths. The guy calling the girl after he just met her. All that is true. We've all done it. And plus also, "Swingers" has that whole rat pack thing. And the rat pack symbolizes brotherhood for me personally. And that's why there's such a huge resurgence of it. I think that's what "Swingers" conveyed. And I think we're ready for that in this lifetime.

How do you juggle your music career with your acting career?

I have no idea. It was easier before, because the band was pretty much weekend gigs. I could handle that. Now that we're starting to tour so much, it's becoming a pain in my ass. As it is now, I've taken four months off of acting and there are a lot of jobs I'm missing out on. But, I'm young. When's the next time I'm going to be offered the chance to go around the world to sing for people. I'm sure the acting will always be there, because I'll always have the love for it. That is my first love, since I was six years old.

How long did it take to make the band smooth?

We're still trying to make it smooth. I'd say initially the band's music started jelling into the direction we wanted it to head about three or four years after we were playing together. And it keeps evolving. I don't know what the next step will be, but I know we're moving in the right direction.

So what makes your group distinct?

I couldn't really answer. I've heard what other people say. Every person I know that's in a band loves what they do. I'd say that's what makes us distinct. But that doesn't make sense. I think perhaps one of the things that makes us distinct is the blend of each of our personalities. That probably is what helps our music. Does that sound like bullshit to you?

Did you have a lot of personality conflicts to overcome.

We're still overcoming them man. This band never stops. You have one guy that's really blase. One guy that's really passionate. Another guy that's passionate about being blase.

How do you keep the live shows fresh after eight years?

We just try to outdo each other. Like Greg and I, if I throw something different out into the vocal mix, maybe he'll catch what I did and start running with it and it'll turn into something else. The same as when we're dancing onstage. We never know what the hell we're doing. We just make it up as we go along, and that's what makes it interesting, exciting. Listening to the solos every night. They're always different and it cracks me up.

How does love fit into the music?

ThatÕs one of the reasons we started the band, so we could have couples dancing together. Cause we'd go to ska shows and a guy and his girlfriend were dancing together, but not together. We decided we wanted to make music with couples looking at each other, dancing and swinging. That's a heavy part of it. Everyone in this band is a cynical romantic. Talking from myself, I believe in romance, but I think it's bull. I'll admit it. I go home, I love listening to Burt Bacharach and Dionne Warwick.

How do you relax after a show?

It takes me about fifteen minutes to wind down from being up there. Then I enjoy having a Meyers and Coke (holding up a near-empty drink). I like enjoying them before the show as well. ItÕs weird you get into a zone when youÕre done playing. Me personally, my mind's just racing, and depending on how connected I am to the actual performance that night; if I'm 120 percent on, I won't be able to talk to anyone for about a half-hour. I'll just sit with thoughts racing through my mind. I'll just have to sit in a corner and dry myself off.

What kind of preparations are you making for success?

I don't think I am. Just rolling with it, taking it one day at a time.

What would you say is the worst part of touring?

Obviously, things waiting for you at home. The weird thing about touring, it gets harder the closer you get to home. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's easier than the start of the tour. We're on the road for another week and a half. All of a sudden, L.A. is starting to become a clear picture for me again. I'm remembering what my house looks like, remembering I have to pay bills.

How does the suit make the man?

The suit makes the man hot if he's onstage dancing for an hour and a half.

Where do you think your humor spawns from?

I don't know. My mom was a funny looking woman. No, no don't print that. I'm joking, I'm joking. I was real chubby as a kid, so that was part of my self-defense. I'm still chubby now, what am I talking about? Now it's become real acidic.

How tough is it for young actors in L.A.?

A lot of traps you can fall into. Sh*t, IÕve fallen into some of those traps. There's a lot of "yes" men in Los Angeles. When you do fall it hurts, really bad. That's one thing you've got to remember; to keep yourself humble. Pick yourself up. Damn, I'm proud of myself, but I know the sh*t wonÕt be here forever.