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

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

I originally had "the calling" to play drums in 5th grade. There were only two or three positions open for drummers in our 5th grade band and I was a little late in signing up so I had to settle for, are you ready, the clarinet! I got real good playing "Moon River". Knowing that the clarinet was not going to impress the ladies and realizing that the drums were not in my immediate future given that we lived in an apartment complex, I began playing the guitar at the age of twelve. I played in a few bands through Jr. High & High School. My goal was to be the next Jimmy Page. Well needless to say that didn't work out! "Tinkering" with the guitar in my twenties, I got married and began raising a family which put my musical ambitions on hold. When my son turned twelve he expressed to me an interest in playing the drums. Remembering that was my original passion, we went out and bought a kit together. It's nice to know that it doesn't matter how old you are, if you have a passion and talent for something, go out and accomplish it! I have played in local Eastside bands, "The Afterburners", (with Jim Hurley), "The Roland Hutcherson Band" and "The Road Dawgs". You may have even seen me out playing at one of the local Eastside "jams". I am truly honored to be playing with the talents of Dean, DJ, and both Jim's!

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

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-

Where you have Astro Cats there must be Astro Kitties. Astro Kitties are our special fans who attend our shows with feline enthusiasm. They dance, meow, prowl, scratch, look like and otherwise act in all ways like Kitties out for fun and frolic. Astro Kitties are honored by being placed on our website. See our "Photo" page for all our current Astro Kitties. Anyone can become an Astro Kitty Fan just come to one of our shows and speak to a band member.

Some times we do special events with Astro Kitties. At one show we had the Astro Kitties dancers, who were experienced local dance performers who developed specific routines for the music of the Astro Cats. So please come to our shows and become an Astro Kitty Fan or just join in the fun.

ASTRO CATS – Issaquah’s famous band plays an energetic blend of original and popular rock and roll from every decade. The Astro Cats vaulted to notoriety in the summer of 2008 when they were sent to Morocco courtesy of the American Morocco International Exchange. As guests of the Moroccan government they represented the best of American Rock at the world class Alegria Music Festival. 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. Their wide variety of rock n roll includes covers from Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kid Rock, John Cougar Mellencamp, Greenday, The Doors, Billy Joel, Fog Hat, Tom Petty, Head East, U2, Dire Straits, The Romantics, Cake, Stray Cats, REM, The Cars, Gin Blossoms, The Beatles, Marshall Tucker, Elton John, Eddie Money, Three Doors Down, Rush, Rob Thomas, Robert Palmer. More info, pics and music, can be found on their website: www.astrocats.com.