• Home
  • Music
  • The Band
  • Photos
  • Contact
Dean Ottomann - Guitars, Singer/Songwriter

Originally started playing guitar in high school inspired by the band "Heart". Worked as a sound engineer for a group called " The Jim Creek Band" while he was also taking classes at RMS sound to be a studio recording engineer. In working with some of the local studios, producing his own projects, they have helped him develop and fine tune his own recording skills. His musical tastes range from soft acoustic guitar music to driving rock-n-roll. Over the years, Dean has played in several local bands (Oceana Drive, The Law, and Sock Monkey).

"I love going out and playing live music as well as doing studio session work in my 24 track home studio. It’s easy to hear the influences in my music, people like: Eric Clapton, The Beatles, Zeppelin, The Police, and Santana." - Dean

Darryl (DJ) Jackson - Bass / Vocals

DJ has been involved in the music industry for over 40 years. He studied classical piano from 6 years old until he was 16. Then he took up guitar and played in rock bands through his high school years. In his mid 20’s to mid 30’s he toured the Midwest club circuits playing Keyboards with several Rock and Show bands through the years, including numerous studio-recording projects. In 1980, he decided to change his instrument and study Bass Guitar. While composing and producing his solo music projects, DJ has been playing Bass with numerous Rock and Jazz bands in Las Vegas, Sacramento, and the Seattle area.

Visit DJ’s Music Bio website at: http://home.comcast.net/~jacksond1/

“One of the best music experiences I had was when I was on stage with the late great God Father of Soul, Mr. James Brown. I was in a band that opened for his band at an award show in Hollywood. James Brown came on stage with us and we played “I Feel Good”. It was a very memorable experience.“ - DJ

JR Still - Drums

JR's bio will be coming soon.

Jim Thompson - Keyboards

Jim is home grown born and raised in Seattle. He started playing the classic Farfisa Organ at North Seattle high school rock n roll dances in a local band, The Zero Hour. He also did steady gigs at the Door Coffee house in downtown Seattle and various local outdoor "Be Ins", remember those? Then in the 70’s Jim played the Martin guitar in a successful bluegrass band, The Mountain County Coop., who played to packed houses every week in Pioneer Square. Family and many daughters got the best of him during the 80’s and 90’s. Then the millennium came it was back to music with a vengeance. Jim started collecting and playing the classic Wurlitzer Electric Piano.

Before the Astro Cats, Jim played with a local Issaquah band the Rockin Studebakers. The "Studes" played 60’s & 70"s classic rock in roll at parties and local festivals. The growling sound of the original Wurlitzer is part of Jim’s soul. Add to it numerous electronic keyboards and synths and Jim covers all the boundaries of sound needed for today’s music lovers.

"Lets Rock N Roll forever and Long Live the Doors." - Jim

Jim Hurley - Guitar / Vocals

I started playing guitar in church in 5th Grade. ( I figured, If I have to go I might as well have fun). My Influences we’re many: Zeppelin, The Who, Rush, ACDC, Etc….Rock, Funk, Blues, Country, Classical… you name it. It’s all good.

I played Guitar & Bass throughout High School and Collage with various groups. My greatest High School moment was playing ( with my band FUBAR ) in the amphitheater for the whole school. We Rocked & after that, I was hooked. I also sang & danced in a competitive Pop Ensemble ( Yes just like High School Musical ) performing numbers from musicals such as Guys & Dolls, Grease, etc… Competitions we’re Brutal but the chicks we’re hot and there we’re many…

I moved to the Seattle area in 1985. I did some time in a couple of cover bands until 1990, then I put together an original project with some friends. The band was called Fuzzy Horrible. Yes, that’s exactly what our first several attempts at recording sounded like. We played several show cases and were ever in search of a vocalist to take us into Grunge Heaven……… Then in 1994 we all had kids….enter real life.

I drifted in and out of “Projects” for the next 10 years. Playing one shot gigs with some Great local Players. I’ve met so many great musicians in Seattle over the years this truly is a great place live.

Most recently, I played with (Issaquah Band) “ The Afterburners” & I was fortunate enough to Tour with “The Maureen Still Band” In March ’08.

-Jim Hurley-

Astro Kitty's - Dancers

The Astro Cats are proud to have had the Astro Kitty's dancers, Melissa, Heather and Alexa, perform at special events. The Astro Kitty's are experienced local dance performers who developed specific routines for the music of the Astro Cats. MK Ballet Studio of Issaquah, Wa has assisted with choreography for this unique show.

About our Band

Issaquah’s famous band plays an energetic blend of original and popular rock and roll. The Astro Cats vaulted to notoriety in the summer of 2008 when the City of Issaquah, Microsoft and the American Morocco International Exchange chose them above many others to be sent to Morocco as part of a cultural exchange program. The Astro Cats played their unique brand of American music at an international music festival held in Issaquah’s sister city, Chefchaouen, Morocco. This band is original and a breath of fresh air on the local music scene. They have pleased thousands at numerous festivals and venues
throughout our area. The band loves to perform songs that are not overplayed but have that rock’n drive and are fun to sing along & dance to. Also they have the talent to play it all, no recorded tracts with these guys. And, the Astro Cats are into fun, at some shows they pass out kitty ears for dancing to songs like Stray Cat Strut. Their wide variety of rock n roll includes covers from Stevie
Ray Vaughn, John Cougar Mellencamp, The Doors, Billy Joel, Fog Hat, Tom Petty, Head East, The Romantics, Jimmy Eats World, Cake, Stray Cats, REM, The Cars, Gin Blossoms, The Beatles, Marshall Tucker, Elton John, Eddie Money, The Police, Three Doors Down, Rush, Rob Thomas, Robert Palmer.

Meet the Astro Cats!

Dean Ottoman
Darryl (DJ) Jackson
JR Still
Jim Thompson
Jim Hurley

Meet the Astro Kitty Dancers

About Our Band

Copyright © AstroCats.com All rights reserved.