"The Bay Area's leading Grateful Dead tribute band."-- Modesto Bee
The China Cats have been performing the music of the Dead since 2008 throughout the West Coast. The band has performed with Melvin Seals, Donna Godchaux and others in the Dead's inner circle. The band includes the classic 5-piece lineup of the Dead with two guitars, keys, bass and one drummer. Professional, nice people and smokin' hot danceable Dead tunes.
We are available as an acoustic duo, trio, quartet or full five-piece band. Acoustic or electric.
Or, we also have a side project available called Rosebud that plays a mix of non-Dead tunes, but played in the same style. Neil Young, Van Morrison, Little Feat, Beatles, etc
5 reviews
Jordan H.
November 23, 2024The China Cats played at my 80-person wedding in September 2024. They put on a hell of a show and it was a special treat for our friends and family to enjoy a live band, even for those guests who weren't fans of the Dead. They worked with the small space available and were total professionals. They were flexible and accommodating of the hectic schedule of the wedding day, and they coordinated with my planner well. Highly recommend booking them. We had a blast.
Hired as: Grateful Dead Tribute Band
Marc R.
May 4, 2023The China Cats were totallllly awesome. I loved every second. They were pros, starting from connecting on gigsalad to packing up. They played my requested songs. The set up was strong. They were super cool and the music was perfect. They NAILED it. I would highly highly recommend them to play any gig..This was a tough one too as it was outside. Thanks you Gents...you ROCK
Hired as: Grateful Dead Tribute Band
Anna G.
June 28, 2021The China Cats were awesome! They were very professional and easy to communicate with, and were on time and flexible with our slightly hectic wedding schedule. They put together a perfect setlist of Dead/JGB songs and the playing, singing and jamming were great. The sound and lighting were also very professional and made for a perfect dance party. I would highly recommend them to anyone planning an event and we can't wait to go see them again soon!
Hired as: Grateful Dead Tribute Band
Crissy C.
March 15, 2021The China Cats are show stoppers! They made the experience of arranging, booking and then enjoying a virtual dead show for my husband's 50th go from a dream to a reality. THANK YOU! I started coordinating with them in January and from our first chat to our sound check to our event they were spot on...their performace allowed us to "zoom" to a dead show with friends and family from all parts of the country together and the audio was excelent for all.
My husband was truly surprised as were our dead head guests and ALL of us were blown away by the curated set list and joy with which they played. Thank you China Cats for making the evening an unforgettable celebration! We can't wait to get vaccinated and see y'all in person!! :))
Hired as: Grateful Dead Tribute Band
Michael M.
October 16, 2020Scott was so patient, relaxed, and flexible. The duo was the perfect and essential addition to our small, outdoor family ceremony. Can’t thank these guys enough. Really made our wedding such a joyous and memorable occasion. Going to be dreaming this to sleep for many days to come.
Hired as: Grateful Dead Tribute Band
The China Cats
Thanks Michael and Lisa. Congratulations and best of luck to you both. May the four winds blow you safely home!
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 10 - 180 minutes
The China Cat never fail to fill the dance floor. Literally, the band has never played to an empty dance floor. Our audience comes to dance and the China Cats deliver. Furthermore, it's equally as common for audience to walk away awed, inspired and impressed by the band's mastery of the music of the Grateful Dead.
The band is highly professional and easy to work with. The band shows up on time, starts on time, and works well with sound crew.
The China Cats are Northern California’s premier Grateful Dead tribute—channeling the spirit, improvisation, and joyful energy of the Dead with authenticity, heart, and contagious good vibes. Known for their uncanny ability to recreate the magic of a live Dead show, The China Cats deliver an uplifting, dance-friendly experience that resonates with devoted Deadheads and new listeners. And unlike most Dead tribute bands, the band has performed as a backing band for former members of the Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia Band, most notably Donna Jean Godchaux and Melvin Seals.
The repertoire of the Jerry Garcia Band is filled with motown, soul and other oldies covers that are a perfect fit for any wedding or celebration. Lead guitarist Matt Hartle has been a fixture in the Bay Area music scene, and the China Cats are Northern California's longest-running Grateful Dead tribute. Whether playing festivals, concert halls, community events, or private celebrations, The China Cats bring professional musicianship, warm stage presence, and a whole lot of musical soul. If you’re looking to turn your event into a joyful, immersive Grateful Dead celebration, look no further...The China Cats will keep your crowd dancing, smiling, and asking for more.
We can provide all sound equipment or use the venues or host's. If the latter, our needs are:
Four vocal mics
three mics for Leslie organ
two mics for guitar amps
two DIs (one for keyboard, one for bass)
sufficient mics for full drum kit including overheads, kick, and snare
mains
monitors with five separate mixes
all cables, stands, etc
Saturday
Wedding Reception
7:30pm - 10:00pm
•
Santa Cruz, CA
Saturday
Birthday Party
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
Saturday
Wedding Reception
5:30pm - 9:30pm
•
El Dorado, CA
Saturday
Birthday Party
8:00pm - 9:30pm
•
Palo Alto, CA
Thursday
Wedding Ceremony
11:00am - 12:00pm
•
Santa Cruz, CA
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
San Rafael, CA
The China Cats, like the Grateful Dead, varies it's set list from night to night and can go as many as five nights in a row without repeating material. However the band only plays material that Grateful Dead performed, augmented with material from the Jerry Garcia Band.
Sample Set List:
Shakedown Street
Candyman
Keep on Growing
Brother Esau
Friend of the Devil
When I Paint My Masterpiece
Unbroken Chain
Touch of Grey
The Music Never Stopped
Casey Jones
Bird Song
Truckin
Tennessee Jed
Estimated Prophet>
Drums>
The Other One>
Wharf Rat>
The Last Time
Sugar Magnolia
Encore: US Blues
Grateful Dead
full PA including mains and a minimum of 5 monitors, preferably with multiple mixes, microphone requirements: Four vocal mics three mics for Leslie organ two mics for guitar amps two DIs (one for keyboard, one for bass) sufficient mics for two full drum k
Grateful Dead Tribute Band
