Texas Bad Cats Story
Texas Bad Cats’ journey has been a winding road through Texas blues, classic rock, and today’s most popular hits - blending decades of influences into one high-energy live experience. The road hasn’t been simple, and the destination is always evolving, but the result is a sound that stands apart from the average cover band.
At the core is a solid rhythm section, powerful guitar work, and rich three-part vocal harmonies - the foundation that drives the show. Layered on top is a dynamic lineup of featured vocalists and musicians, each bringing their own style, experience, and stage presence to the performance. The result is a versatile band that delivers tailored energy for festivals, private events, and everything in between.
Driving grooves pull you to the dance floor, fueled by musicianship that balances power and precision. From timeless classics to modern favorites, every set is crafted to keep the crowd engaged and the momentum high. Come experience the passion, energy, and depth that define Texas Bad Cats - anytime we hit the stage.
Kris – Lead Vocals, Percussion
Kris D'Autremont brings island soul and rock-and-roll fire to every stage she steps on. Born and raised in Hawaii, Kris grew up surrounded by rich musical traditions, drawing inspiration from R&B and soul icons like Stevie Wonder, Sade, and Al Green, while channeling the powerhouse energy of rock legends Stevie Nicks, Heart, and Pat Benatar.
Her professional career took off with influential Hawaiian hip-hop group Sudden Rush, where she recorded and performed lead vocals on award-winning tracks including “Polynesian Party” and “Pure Aloha.” After relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area, Kris expanded her range with the edgy folk band Highway One, blending grit and grace into a uniquely compelling sound.
While in California, Kris honed her craft under legendary vocal coach Judy Davis, whose roster of students included icons such as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Eddie Money, Mary Martin, and Grace Slick — an experience that helped shape her powerful, expressive vocal style.
Today, Kris sings with the Austin Christian Northside worship team and brings her dynamic vocals and rhythmic percussion to Texas Bad Cats, delivering soulful grooves, rock anthems, and crowd-moving energy with authenticity and heart.
Matthias – Drums, Vocals
Matthias D’Autremont was born in the land of the blues — Chicago — but raised in the islands of Hawaii, giving him a rare musical perspective shaped by both gritty soul and rich Polynesian rhythm.
He began performing early with the prestigious Honolulu Boy Choir and went on to lead the award-winning Damien High School drumline. Immersed in island culture, Matthias performed Tahitian and Polynesian percussion for hula shows aboard cruise ships and at Waikiki hotels, while also playing drums in reggae, rock, and country bands across the state.
Encouraged by Hawaii’s top jazz fusion drummers, Matthias attended the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, graduating with honors in 1991. He quickly became part of the LA music scene and toured throughout Asia for three consecutive runs with the renowned Gwen Brisco R&B show band.
Returning to Hawaii, Matthias joined award-winning Hawaiian rap pioneers Sudden Rush, while also contributing studio percussion for multiple artists, including Hawaiian music superstar Kealiʻi Reichel.
During his years in Silicon Valley, Matthias toured and recorded with singer-songwriter Kimberlee Leber and co-founded the band Highway One. In 2012, he relocated to Austin, diving into the city’s vibrant live music scene before forming Texas Bad Cats in 2018.
Today, Matthias brings decades of global performance experience, island groove, and rock-solid rhythm to every Texas Bad Cats show. He also serves as Worship Leader and drummer at Austin Christian Northside, where music continues to be both his craft and his calling.
Bob – Lead Guitar, Vocals
Robert “Bob” Hernandez is Austin music royalty — a hometown guitarist who’s been lighting up stages since 1968. A true student of the craft (and proudly self-taught), Bob reads music fluently and moves effortlessly across rock, blues, Americana, jazz, fusion, Latin, and country.
Equally dangerous on lead and rhythm, Bob brings both taste and fire to every set. He rotates through an arsenal of electric and acoustic guitars — including PRS Guitars, Fender, and Gibson — paired with amps from Fender, Roland, Kendrick, and Bad Cat Amplifiers (no, that’s not where the band name came from… but we like the connection).
Bob is meticulous about tone, faithfully recreating the signature guitar sounds fans know and love using effects from industry staples like Boss, MXR, Ibanez, JHS, Supro, Strymon, and more. If the original record had a sound, Bob can find it — and make it sing.
Beyond the fretboard, you’ll occasionally catch Bob stepping up to the mic for a lead vocal or locking in tight harmonies that give Texas Bad Cats that full, classic-rock punch.
Over the decades, Bob has played everywhere from legendary 6th Street to Auditorium Shores, along with countless clubs, country clubs, private events, and recording sessions throughout Austin. His past bands include Straight Talk, Big Daddy and the Dirty Dogs, El Kabong, Spirithouse, Chill Factor, and Dansworth Junction — each chapter adding to a deep well of experience and stage command.
With Bob on guitar, Texas Bad Cats doesn’t just play the classics — we deliver them with authenticity, power, and Austin grit.
David – Bass Guitar
David Hall has been chasing music since he was tall enough to reach a keyboard. As a kid, he regularly “disappeared” from Sunday school — only to be found at the nearest unattended piano, completely lost in the keys. Not long after, he convinced his parents to buy him a guitar… and played until his fingers ached.
Drawn to rock and roll, David picked up a bass to round out jam sessions with friends — and quickly realized the groove was home. He played bass in a high school band for several years, performing regularly while also singing in choirs and musical productions, building both musicianship and stage presence.
David went on to study at the renowned University of North Texas, earning a BA in Music with a concentration in piano. While honing his formal training, he continued playing bass and guitar in bands outside of school — blending technical skill with real-world rock experience.
Today, David brings melodic instincts, rock-solid groove, and a musician’s ear to Texas Bad Cats. Whether holding down the low end, adding texture on guitar, or locking into harmonies, he’s proof that sometimes the kid sneaking off to the piano turns out to be exactly where he was meant to be.
Chantel - Lead Vocals
Chantel Deniese is a vibrant performing artist, storyteller, and champion of soul-lifting authenticity whose music and message resonate long after the last note. With roots in heartfelt performance and a deep belief in the power of purpose, Chantel brings a unique blend of creative energy, spirit-led expression, and uplifting musical presence to every stage.
More than a singer, Chantel is also an author, life coach, and Woman of Worth advocate — using her voice both onstage and off to empower women and teen girls toward personal, spiritual, and creative growth. Her performances reflect a passion that’s as much about inspiring hearts as it is about moving feet.
Crowned Mrs. Elite U.S. Woman of Achievement 2023, Chantel’s platform champions living in one’s worth with confidence and courage, embodying the belief that authenticity and purpose are at the heart of a life well-lived.
Whether she’s singing, coaching, writing, or connecting with her audience, Chantel Deniese brings soul, strength, and a powerful sense of heart to the Texas Bad Cats stage.
Steve – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Steve Waters is a powerhouse vocalist and seasoned guitarist whose musical roots run deep. He began singing and performing publicly in church as a young teen, where Southern Gospel harmonies shaped his ear and sparked a lifelong love for tight, soaring vocal blends.
Steve’s influences span generations and genres — from the soul of Ray Charles and the swagger of Elvis Presley, to the Texas fire of Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Southern rock grit of Ronnie Van Zant. Add in the rich harmonies of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and the country storytelling of Conway Twitty, Vern Gosdin, and Merle Haggard, and you start to understand the depth behind his sound.
Steve has performed professionally across country, Southern rock, and blues, fronting multiple bands over the years in venues large and small — including Jump Start (Baltimore), Austin City Limits (Florida), and the Lost Highway Band (Washington, D.C.). Along the way, he’s earned a reputation as a “human jukebox” — The Man of a Thousand Songs — able to pull classics from memory and deliver them with conviction.
With Steve on stage, Texas Bad Cats adds another layer of vocal firepower, genre depth, and crowd-connecting energy. He also serves on the worship team at Hill Country Bible Church, continuing to share his gift wherever music brings people together.
John – Keys, Vocals
John Steinreich is a seasoned powerhouse of groove and melody with over 35 years of professional experience lighting up stages across rock, R&B, funk, disco, and jazz-inspired musical landscapes. A master of both keyboards and guitar, John’s versatility keeps audiences locked in and feet moving — whether laying down soulful grooves, ripping through classic rock riffs, or steering the band into deep, expressive jazz territory.
More than a performer, John is a songwriter, music producer, and dedicated teacher, shaping sounds in the studio and inspiring the next generation of players at the piano bench. His career blends the technical savvy of a seasoned multi-instrumentalist with the creative instincts of a true musical storyteller, making every set uniquely electrifying and firmly rooted in the rich traditions of American music.
Marcos – Keys
Marcos Esparza has been playing piano for as long as he can remember — and he remembers quite a lot. Raised in the vibrant Houston-area theatre community, Marcos grew up immersed in performance before making his way to Austin to earn a degree in Theatre and Dance with a focus on acting from University of Texas at Austin.
While the stage was a natural fit, the piano has always been his musical home. Influenced by countless hours listening with his dad to legends like The Beatles, Journey, Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Three Dog Night, Elton John, and Billy Joel, Marcos developed a love for timeless melodies, rich harmonies, and high-energy rock classics.
Now a longtime Austinite, Marcos is also a proud dad of three amazing kids who share his passion for music and the arts. On stage with Texas Bad Cats, he blends theatrical flair, musical chops, and just the right amount of showmanship — equally at home laying down classic keys or hamming it up while the band rocks the crowd.