The Bay Area’s Longest Running Grateful Dead Tribute Band’ 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.