The BOPCATS

Hyvinkää: 1979. (Ensimmäinen keikka 3/1980) - 2022

Kai 'Utsi' Uusitalo: vocals, lead guitar (1979-)
Mico Jansson: rhythm guitar, saxophone, vocals (1979-1982, 2/1984-1994, 1999-2008 )(bss 1992-1994)
Hara Pöyhiä :bass guitar /double bass(1979-1985)
Tarmo 'Taape' Pöntinen: vocals, drums. skiffle (1979-6/1982) (16.01.1964 – 09.09.2025 R.I.P.)
Make Lemola: (1979-1980)
Killi Ketopelto: vocals (1980-1981)
Karra Varjosalo: bss (1980-81 tuuraus keikkoja)
Ari Eerola: drums, vocals (8/1982-)
Tapio "Teisu" Mikkola: soitti 1 keikan bopcatsessä elokuussa -83,Weekend hopissa. (Black Slacks)
Timo Pohjalainen: bass guitar (1990-1991, 1997)
Risto Lehtimäki: double bass (1992) (Hoedowners,T-Bird Gang ,Space Bandits etc)
Kalle 'Don Carlos' Hyvärinen: double bass, vocals (2001-2010, 2014-)
Aki Savolainen: double bass (2010- 2014, )

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EP
The BopCats: F.R.R.S, FR-01, 1983

A1: Ducktails
A2: Wha-Chi-Cha-Noca
B1: Skiffle Board Blues
B2: Hey Baby

Rudy Grayzell
Tommy Holmes
Pöntinen, Jansson
Bill Lawrence

-
Recorded 04/1982 Helsinki, Studio 303 (sessiossa äänitetty LP:n verran biisejä)
Mico Jansson: rhythm guitar, vocals B1, B2.
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass.
Tarmo 'Taape' Pöntinen: vocals.drums. skiffle.vocals A1, B1
Kai 'Utsi' Uusitalo: vocals. lead guitar.vocals A2, B1

Levyarvosteluja: Moondogs 3/1983, Pirates 1/1984
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Single: Trichord-Levy, TRIK V010, 2013

A: M.E Teds
B: Life In Lights

Uusitalo
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen

-
Recorded at Duffy Studios
Kai Uusitalo: guitar, vocals
Aki Savolainen: double bass
Ari Eerola: drums
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split EP
BopCats / Hard Grown Boys: Trichord-Levy, TRIK V011, 2013

A1: All Night Long
A2: With You

Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen

B-puolella Hard Grown Boys
-
Recorded at Duffy Studios 2013
Kai Uusitalo: guitar, vocals
Aki Savolainen: double bass
Ari Eerola: drums, vocals
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LP
Original: Talsti, EDLP 0702, 2007

A1: Wha Chic Ka-Noka [LP version] *
A2: Mexicali Baby
A3: Bluebirds Over The Mountain
A4: Last Night
A5: Ducktails
A6: Hey Baby
A7: I Fell In Love
B1: Teddybilly's Coming
B2: Yakin' Talks *
B3: Skiffleboard Blues
B4: My Wish
B5: Gonna Really Rockabilly *
B6: Leroy *
B7: Turn My Back On You *

Tommy Helmes
Rusty Isabell
Ercel Hickey
Warren Smith
Rudy Grayzell
Bill Lawrence
Ken Cook
Pöyhiä, Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Pöntinen, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Jack Scott
Billy Fury

-
Recorded
08/1980: rehearsal room B1
09/1980: rehearsal room B5
10/1980: rehearsal room B7
05/1981: rehearsal room B2, B6.
04/1982: Studio 303, Helsinki: A1, B3-6, B3, B4.
10/1982:, Studio 303, Helsinki: A2, A7
Kai 'Utsi' Uusitalo: lead guitar. vocals (A1)
Mico Jansson: rhythm guitar, vocals (A4-7 B1-7) drums (A3, A5)
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass (A1-7 B3, 4). bass guitar (B1, B2, B5-7)
Tarmo 'Taape' Pöntinen: drums (A4, A6 B1-7). skiffle (A6, B3). vocals (A3, A5)
Ari Eerola: drums (A1, A2, A7), vocals (A2)
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LP
Original Live: Jungle TCB6161LP, 2011

A1: Be My Pride
A2: Warm Love
A3: Fairlane Rock
A4: White Lightning
A5: Flower Of My Heart
A6: Down The Line
A7: Jungle Rock
B1: Cast Iron Arm
B2: Going Down That Road
B3: Please Give Me Something
B4: My Baby Loves To Rock
B5: Ain't Got A Thing
B6: So Long, Good Luck And Goodbye
B7: Ittie Bittie Everything

Odis Echols Jr., Charlie Phillips
Johnny And Dorsey Burnette
Thompson
Jape Richardson
B. Holly, B. Montgomery
B. Holly, B. Montgomery
H. Mizell, J. Bobo, B. Collins, R. Simonton
Beatt, Petty, Orbison
Ersel Hickey
B. And J. Feli
Del Reeves
Burgess, Clement
Weldon Rogers
Taylor, Joy

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A1, 2, 5: Puistokulma, Hiekkaharju, 14.4.1984
3, 7: Mäntsälä 15.9. 1984
A4: Ylivieska 31.5.1984
A6: Tampere 10.11.1984
B1-4: Studio 303, Helsinki 1982
B6: Rehearsal room 1982
B5, 7: Rehearsal room 1983
(ltd 300)
Utsi, Mico, Ari, Hara
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LP
That's That: Trichord-Levy, TRIK014 V, 2014

A1: Crystal Eyes
A2: Your Sweet Love
A3: Next Town
A4: Bride
A5: Lonely Life
A6: Lone
B1: Wrickly Wreckly Hop
B2: Aint No Other You
B3: Gonna Love
B4: Easy Going Song
B5: Roam This Road
B6: That's That

Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Uusitalo, Eerola
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Uusitalo
Uusitalo, Eerola
Uusitalo

-
LTD 300 copy

Kai Uusitalo: guitar, vocals
Kalle Hyvärinen: double bass
Ari Eerola: drums, vocals (A5, B5)
-
Pete Lapintie: piano (B1)

CD: Trichord-Levy, TRIK014, 2014
CD bonuses

13: Old Chevy
14: Life In Lights
15: Jet Tone Boogie [instrumental]

Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Uusitalo, H. Leppänen
Donald L. Ward

-
13, 14 recorded 2012?,
15 recorded 04/1982 Studio 303, Helsinki

Levyarvosteluja:
Blues News N:o 270 (6/2014)
Big Beat 1/2015
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LP
Cruisin With The BopCats: Ee-dEE, EDLP 2224, 2022

A1: Old Chevy
A2: Comin' Up
A3: Dodge
A4: Crazy Little Love
A5: Only Wanna Bop
A6: Lonely Cat
A7: Going Wild
B1: Sad Baby
B2: Rumblin' Caddy
B3: Going Home
B4: Shake Alone
B5: Sweet Love
B6: Fairlane Rock
B7: Bop Cat Hop

Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo
Ron Isle
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo. Leppänen
H. Thompson
Uusitalo

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ILMESTYY ELOKUUSSA 2022
Recorded at BC Cave, Hyvinkää 2020-2021
Kai Uusitalo: guitar, lead vocals (A1-6, B1-3, 5, 7)
Aki Savolainen: double bass
Ari Eerola: drums, lead vocals (A7, B4, 6)
+
Petteri Salmi: piano (A6), acoustic guitar (B6)
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LP
Various Artists
South Finland Rock-A-Billy Terror: HT-LP 018, 2011

A2: The BopCats: Walkin' Talkin' Baby Doll
B1: The BopCats: There Goes My Baby
B7: The BopCats: Make Me Mad

Jochim, Slitz, Boykin
Kirkland, Burton
Unknow, Bopcats

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A2 & B1 recorded 04/1982 Helsinki, Studio 303
B7 rehearsal tape 1980.
Mico Jansson: rhythm guitar, A2,B1/ vocals B2
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass
Tarmo 'Taape' Pöntinen: drums.
Kai 'Utsi' Uusitalo: lead guitar, vocals B1.
Killi Ketopelto: vocals, rhythm guitar B7
LTD 100 kpl
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LP
Various Artists
Unissued Hyvinkää Rockabilly 1979-82: HT, HT-LP021, 2021

B4: The BopCats: Circle Rock
B5: The BopCats: Crazy Rhythm
B6: The BopCats: Folsom Prison Blues
B7: The BopCats: My Wish
B8: The BopCats: Yakety Yak
B9: The BopCats: Wasting Your Time

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B6, 7: rehearsal recordings 1980
B4, 5, 8: rehearsal recordings 1981
B9: rehearsal recordings 1982
Mico Jansson: vocals, rhythm guitar (B4-8), saxophone (B9)
Kai 'Utsi' Uusitalo: lead guitar. backing vocals
Hara Pöyhiä: bass guitar
Tarmo 'Taape' Pöntinen: drums (B4-8). vocals (B6)
Ari Eerola: drums (B9), vocals (B9)
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LP
Various Artists
Teddy Boy Stomp: HT, HT-LP 042, 2025

A5: There Goes My Baby
B2: Walkin' Talkin' Baby Doll

Kirkland, Burton
Jochim, Slitz, Boykin

-
A5 & B2 original issue South Finland Rock-A-Billy Terror: HT-LP 018, 2011
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Muut CD:t
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CD
Original: EDCD 0702, 2007

01: Intro – J.E. *
02: Jet Tone Boogie [instrumental] *
03: Wa-Chic-Ka-Noka [EP version] *
04: Mexicali Baby
05: Teddybilly’s Coming
06: Cast Iron Arm *
07: Skiffleboard Blues
08: When My Baby Left Me *
09: Washmachine Boogie *
10: My Wish
11: Hey Baby
12: Bluebirds Over The Mountain
13: Last Night
14: I Fell In Love
15: Ducktails
16: Outro – J.E. *
17: Due Rane E Un Cane *
18: Ballin Keen *
19: Rock ‘n’ Roll On A Saturday Night *

Donald L. Ward
Tommy Holmes
The Rio Rockers
Pöyhiä, Pöntinen, Uusitalo, Jansson
Peanuts Wilson
the BopCats
Sid King
Bill Browning
Uusitalo, Jansson
Bill Lawrence
Ersel Hickey
Warren Smith
Ken Cook
Rudy Grayzell

Van Wood Quartet
Bobby & Terry Caraway
Dwain Bell

-
* ei LP:llä
Recorded:
08/1980: rehearsal room (05)
09/1980: rehearsal room (06)
11/1980: rehearsal room (09)
12/1980: rehearsal room (02)
04/1982 Helsinki, Studio 303: (07, 08, 10, 11-13, 15)
10/1982 Helsinki, Studio 303: (03, 04, 14)
04/1984 Live Puistokulma Vantaa, (17)
01/1991: rehearsal room (18)
05/2002: rehearsal room (19)
Kai Uusitalo: guitar, vocals (03, 09, 18)
Mico Jansson: guitar, vocals (05-07, 10, 11, 13, 14, 19), drums (08, 12, 15)
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass (03, 04, 07, 08, 10-15, 17), bass guitar (02, 05, 06, 09)
Taape Pöntinen: drums (02, 05-07, 09-11, 13), vocals (08, 12, 15)
Ari Eerola: drums (03, 04, 14, 17-19), vocals (04, 17)
Timppa Pohjalainen: bass guitar (18)
Don Carlos: double bass (19)

CD arvosteluja: Ducktails 4/2007, BN N:o 228 (=6-2007)
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CD
Jump Higher: Trichord, TRIK 006, 2008

01. Jump Higher
02. Let's Go Boppin Tonite
03. Bopcat Baby
04. Back To School
05. Baby Baby
06. I Love My Baby
07. Memoires
08. Bop Your Heart Out
09. Can't Let You Go
10. Sweetie Pie
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Mary Lou Rock
13. BC's Swang
14. Due Rane E Un Cane

Uusitalo, Jansson
Ferrier, Shuler
Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Curtis Johnsom
Uusitalo, Jansson
Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson
Billy and the Bop-Cats
Uusitalo,
Van Wood Quartet

-
Recorded at STG Kirkkonummi by Eduardo Seguvia
Kai Uusitalo: guitar (01,03-07, 09-14), vocal (01, 02, 06, 08, 09)
Ari Eerola: drums, vocal (11, 14)
Carlos Hyvärinen: double bass, vocal (10)
Mico Jansson: vocal (01, 03-05, 09, 12), guitar (02, 08)
Juho Hurskainen: saxophone (01, 05,12, 14)
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CD
The BopCats with Friends: String-Go: Jupiter Stroll, JUPITER CD 006, 2009

01. Stringo
02. Jet Tone Boogie
03. Surfin`Mexican
04. Bop-A-Nova
05. Memoires
06. Lovers`Mood
07. Tune Up
08. Hide`n`Seek
09. BC`s Swang part 2
10. Water Baby Boogie
11. Swanee River Gal
12.Balamalama
13. Lucky 13

Uusitalo
Jet Tones
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Uusitalo
Billy Jack Wills
Tommy Hudson
Uusitalo
Uusitalo

-
The BopCats: 01, 05, 06, 08,10,13
Utsi Uusitalo: guitar, voices (07, 12)
Ari Eerola: drums (01, 03-10,12, 13) / (04, 11)
Kalle Hyvärinen: bass (01-06, 08-13)
+
Honey Aaltonen: drums (02, 11)
Pete Lapintie: piano (03, 04, 09)
Juho Hurskainen: saxophone (03, 04, 09,12)
Segu: steel guitar (4) / voices (12)
Sami Häkkinen: bass guitar (7)
Mico Jansson: voices (07, 12)
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CD
Original Live: Jungle, TCB6161CD, 2011

01: Be My Pride
02: Warm Love
03: Water Baby Boogie [instrumental]
04: Flower Of My Heart
05: White Lightning
06: We Wanna Boogie
07: Turn My Back On You
08: Down The Line
09: Fairlane Rock
10: Dont Push
11: Jungle Rock
12: Alabama Shake
13: Sweet, Sweet Girl
14: Try Me
15: I`m Ready
16: Tore Up Over You

Odis Echols Jr., Charlie Phillips
Johnny And Dorsey Burnette
Billy Jack Wills
B. Holly, B. Montgomery
Jape Richardson
Burgess
Wilberforce
B. Holly, B. Montgomery
Thompson
Don Deal
H. Mizell, J. Bobo, B. Collins, R. Simonton
J. McClung
Gibson
C. Singleton
A. Lewis, S. Bradford, A. Domino
Hank Ballard

-
1-4: Hiekkaharju Puistokulma 14.4.1984 Live
5: Ylivieska 31.5.1984 Live
6-8: Tampere 10.11.1984 Live
9-1: Mäntsälä 15.9.1984 Live
12: Rehearsal room 1980
13,14: Rehearsal room 1991
15: Mäntsälä 16.5.1997 Live
16: Hyvinkää 15.8. 1997 Live
Kai Uusitalo: guitar 1-12,14-16, vocals 01,02,04,05,08,10,11,13,15,16
Mico Jansson: vocals 02, 04, 07, 08, 12, 14., rhythm guitar: 02-04, 06-08, 11-14, saxophone: 01, 05, 09, 10.
Ari Eerola: drums 01-11,13-16, vocals 06, 09, 15 .
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass 01-12.
Tarmo 'Taape' Pöntinen: drums 12.
Timo Pohjalainen: bss 13-16.
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CD
Various Artists
21st Centry Fin-A-Billy Vol. 1: Jupiter Stroll, JUPITER CD 004, 2008

09: Leave Me Alone
10: Back To School

Uusitalo, Jansson
Uusitalo, Jansson

-
07, 08 from CD Jump Higher: Trichord, TRIK 006, 2008
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Epävirallinen julkaisu (suorakaiverrus vinyyli), Unofficial Vinyl dublate

10" LP
Various Artists
Tribute to Charlie Feathers & Buddy Holly: HT, HT-LP 015, 2010

A1. The BopCats: Flower Of My Heart
A3. The BopCats: Down The Line
A4. The BopCats: Blue Days, Black Nights
B3. The BopCats: Tongue Tied-Jill

B. Holly, B. Montgomery
B. Holly, B. Montgomery
B. Hall
Chastain, Huffman

-
BopCats raidat äänitetty kesäkuussa 2009
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Julkaisemattomia BopCats studio äänitte
10/-82 Helsinki, Studio 303
Due Rane E Un Cane

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Julkaisemattomia live tallenteita.
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Mäntsälä 8.5.1982

sisältö ei tiedossa

-
Recorded live by A-P Niemin
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1984 (kuva Ari Sjöblom)

Ylivieska 31.05.1984

01: Play My Boogie
02: Warm Love
03: Koala Bear
04: Mexicali Baby
05: Wha Chic Ka-Noka
06: Skiffleboard Blues
07: Flower Of My Heart
08: Hey Babe
09: Down The Line
10: Let Me Love You
11: My Baby Love's To Rock
12: Don't Push
13: Be My Pride
14: There Goes My Baby
15: White Lightning #

B. Mack
J. Burnette, D. Burnette
Collins, Devlin
Rusty Isabell
Tommy Holmes
Pöntinen, Jansson
B. Holly, B. Montgomery
Bill Lawrence
Holly, Montgomery
T. Collins
Del Reeves
Deal, Sixman
Odis Echols Jr., Charlie Phillips
Kirkland, Burton
Richardson

Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
TCB6161LP, 2011 / CD:llä Jungle TCB6161CD, 2011

-
Kai Uusitalo, guitar, vocals (01-03. 05-07, 09, 11-15), backing vocals
Mico Jansson: guitar (01-10), saxophone (11-15), vocals (02, 06-10), backing vocals
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass
Ari Eerola: drums, vocals (04, 06, 10), skiffle (06, 08, 10), backing vocals
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Mäntsälä 15.9.1984

01: Hard Hearted Girl
02: Fairlane Rock
03: Don't Push
04: Red Hot Rockin Blues
05: White Lightning
06: Ducktail
07: When My Baby Left Me
08: Jungle Rock

Cliff Davis
Thompson
Deal, Sixman
Lee Denson, Jim Denson
Richardson
Grayzell
S. King, B. King
Mizell, Bobo

Unreleased
TCB6161LP, 2011 / TCB6161CD, 2011
TTCB6161CD, 2011
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
Unreleased
TCB6161LP, 2011 / TCB6161CD, 2011

-
Kai Uusitalo, guitar, vocals (02-05, 08)
Mico Jansson: guitar (01, 02, 06-08), saxophone (03-05)
Hara Pöyhiä: double bass
Ari Eerola: drums, backing vocals, vocals (01)
+
Tarmo Pöntinen: vocals (06, 07)
-------------------------------------------------------

Kuopio, Wanha Satama 20.8.2005

01: Sweet Sweet Girl
02: But In Your Eyes
03: Casting My Spell
04: Your True Love
05: Hey Baby
06: Gonna Really Rockabilly
07: Skiffleboard Blues
08: Slap That Bass
09: Wha Chi Ka Noca
10: Strange Kinda Feelin'
11: Rockin' Rollin' Stone
12: Ducktails

Don Gibson
Hamandi, Astruc
E. Johnson, A. Johnson
Carl Perkins
Bill Lawrence
Uusitalo, Jansson
Pöntinen, Jansson
Bradley
Tommy Holmes
Elmore James
Gulledge, Patty
Grayzell

-
Recorded by Jari Hartikainen with Zoom H1
Keikan viisi ensimmäistä kappaletta ei tallennettu.
Utsi: guitar, vocals
Mico: guitar, vocals
Kalle Hyvärinen: double bass, vocals (07)
Ari Eerola: drums, vocals
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VIDEOTALLENTEET
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Videotallenne Live Suosikki Rock SM finaali. 9.1.1981 Mäntsälä.
Hey Baby / Skiffleboard Blues
-
Kuvattu ja äänitetty Philips 2000 videolla
Utsi, Mico, Hara ja Taape
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10.11.1984 Live at Sori Rockhouse, Tampere

01. We Wanna Boogie
02. Turn My Back On You
03. Down The Line
04. Nexically Baby
05. Due Rane E Un Cane
06. Sweet Sweet Girl
07. She’s My Baby [partially]
xx. Hey Baby ja joku toinen puuttuu
08. Rock’nRoll On Saturday Noght
09. Warm Love
10. Be My Pride ?
11. Jungle Rock

-
Kuvattu ja äänitetty VHS-kameralla
(Utsi, Mico, Hara, Ari) Ilmoittavat että viimeinen keikka tällä kokoonpanolla.
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Lehtiartikkeleja
Moondogs 1/1982
Hot Rock 3/1983
Moondogs 3/1984 (Bop Catsie Ruotsin vierailu)
Ducktails 2/2003 (Keikka-arvio: Onnen Päivät, Hyvinkää 21.2.2003)
Big Beat 3/2007 (Keikka-arvio: Onnen päivät, Hyvinkää, 10.8.2007)
Big Beat 3/2008 (Hyvinkään veteraanikissojen pitkä vaellus)
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Miko lähti yhtyeestä jo ennen EP:n ilmestymistä ja bändi jatkoi triona.18.12.1982 ( tsi, Hara ja Ari)
Orkesterilta jäi myös julkaisematta EP (FRRS-04) joka oli jo nauhoitettu ja nauhat lähetetty ruotsiin julkaistavaksi.
Bändi kävi esiintymässä 1980-luvulla lukuisten Suomen keikkojen lisäksi Ruotsissa.
BopCats keikkaili säännöllisesti vielä läpi 1990-luvun ja keikkailee vielä ahkerasti 2000- ja 2010-luvulla. 2022 julkaistun levyn jälkeen ei yhte ole keikkoja tehnyt.

Kirjassa SYNTYNEET ROKKAAMAAN on yhtyeestä usean sivun mittainen juttu ja valokuvia.
.