Acoustic Grateful Dead tribute Cats on the Bandstand perform a matinee show at the Cinema Bar in March, and they told the News about what they have in store for Culver City…
When did you start playing and performing? When did the band form?
Both Gregg (Miller) and Doug (Gchman) have been playing guitar since childhood. Gregg moved to L.A. from New York, and from 1992 to 1996 was an original, founding member of the band Dog Star with Keanu Reeves. Doug has played in various bands, and as a solo act both in New York and L.A. We met in the summer of 2022 via the encouragement of a mutual friend who suggested, as both of us are fans of the Grateful Dead, that we might find some common ground music-wise. Our first gig as Cats on the Bandstand was at The Bourbon Room in Hollywood, in April 2023.
Describe your sound/style?
Well, we are an acoustic duo that performs Grateful Dead songs. We try to stay as authentic as possible to the original material, both vocally and music-wise. There’s a treasure trove of material from the 30 year history of the Dead, and we do our best to honor the songs as best we can.
What are your career highlights so far?
We had a great time playing at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano for one of their Day of Dead events. Fun crowd, and lots of Dead Heads; We opened for another “tribute” act- “Which One’s Pink,” at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. Pink Floyd fans and Grateful Dead fans tend to mingle in the same circles, so there was crossover appeal for that one. We have also had a lot of fun at the private events we’ve been hired to play.
What recorded music is available — particularly the most recent?
As an act that plays Grateful Dead material, we don’t have a CD of original content, but our website (catsonthebandstand.com) and Youtube channel youtube.com/@GreggMiller55 have both audio and video–we update those with new content frequently.
Have you performed at Cinema Bar before?
The Cinema Bar has become our local, once a month haunt. We love the intimacy of the venue, the good sound system, the locals who hang out there, and Omar behind the bar adds to the ambiance. I’d say the highlight at that venue was our holiday show in December 2023.
What can we expect from the set this time?
Like the Grateful Dead, we never follow the same set list. So every show we perform will be different from the previous or the next show. Though, as this show on Sunday March 23 is an afternoon show, we’ll have to see how that affects the vibe in the room. We’re hoping the time frame will encourage folks to come out who would normally have a difficult time making it to night time/week day shows.
What else do you have coming up?
We are always on the lookout for new venues to play in the greater L.A. area. We are heading to the East Coast in June for several shows on Long Island, New York as well as a confirmed date in Philadelphia. We will likely add one or two other dates to that tour. Our website and social sites will keep everyone posted.
Cats on the Bandstand performs at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 at the Cinema Bar. Go to thecinemabar.com for more information about the venue.
Elsewhere this week
The Culver Hotel will be hosting the likes of Sylvia & the Rhythm Boys and and Scotty Bramer. Go to culverhotel.com for more info.
The next concert at Boulevard Music is on March 21, with Sourdough Slim and Robert Armstrong. Go to boulevardmusic.com for more info.