The China Cats This Bay Area tribute band performs the songs of the Grateful Dead with spirited jams that carry their own genuine personality while paying homage to their musical forefathers. Since 2010 the China Cats have been performing throughout the West Coast including performances with Donna Godchaux, Melvin Seals and other Dead alumni. Lead guitarist Matt Hartle brings experience from collaborations with Dead-family musicians including Henry Kaiser, Michael Kang (String Cheese Incident), and is a current member of Painted Mandolin with former Garcia-Grisman instrumentalist Joe Craven. Rhythm guitarist Scott Cooper has recorded with members of Little Feat, Galactic, David Nelson Band, New Riders, and his debut solo CD reached #5 on the Relix jam band radio charts. Keyboardist Steve Sofranko and bassist Roger Roger Sideman have performed dozens of times at the Ashkenaz with Stu Allen & Mars Hotel. Roger formerly played bass in David Gans & the Sycamore Slough String Band and Painted Mandolin. Drummer Michael Owens is an in-demand player who is versed in New Orleans, jazz, reggae and African drumming.
