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B i o g r a p h y

The China Cats are:

Matt Hartle, lead guitar and vocals

Scott Cooper, rhythm guitar and vocals

Steve Sofranko, keyboards and vocals

Roger Sideman, bass and vocals

Michael Owens, drums


The China Cats are the premier Grateful Dead tribute band in Santa Cruz and the San Francisco Bay Area.  The current lineup of the China Cats have been performing the music of the Grateful Dead since 2010.

Additionally, we've put on shows with many guest musicians, including: Donna Jean Godchaux, Melvin Seals, Bill Laymon, Dan Robbins, Danny Eisenberg, Burt Lewis, Sunshine Becker, Paul Garcia, Bret Bailey, Jeff Faust, Amy Gabel Berry, Mike Meagher, Rob Wenig, Paige Clem, Bella Rayne, Neil Hampton, Dave Faulkner, Andy Birchett, Mark Corsolini, Keith Graves, Jimmy Hubbard, Jim Lewin, Will McCosker, and Jerry Brown .

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F E A T U R E D   R E V I E W S

San Jose Mercury News:
“Every time The China Cats play a song, it’s a new experience. We’re not playing the 1973 version of the song or the ’79 or the ’92 version. We’re playing the 2017 version of the song," Hartle said. "On these tunes, anything can happen. There are certain things that are specific, and certain things that are wide open to interpretation. It’s never about going back. It’s always looking to the present moment that we’re having."

E V E N T S​

A P R

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April 18, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, Santa Cruz, CA

N E W S
Check out video of the 2nd set of Melvin Seals with the China Cats at the Sweetwater 2/23/2018:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeXs_kTwlH4

A P R 
25

April 25,  Veterans Hall, Santa Cruz, CA

J A N
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