The Monstas were spawned from the dark, neon, rain slicked streets of NYC, and the heat, dust, BBQ and weirdness of Austin, Texas.
The Monstas music is New American. A big, hot, melting pot of big sky spaghetti western blues, New Orleans funk, and slinky NY Lower East Side rock & soul.
Fate and family, mysterious people, and synchronistic events brought together six flat out Monstas on their respective instruments.
Ernie Durawa– Drums
Ernie is the Monstas’ Dr. Frankenstein. A genuine Texas legend, he put the lightning in the beast. Ernie’s resume is a who’s who of Texas music. He’s recorded with Sir Douglas Quintet, Texas Tornados, Delbert McClinton, Merle Haggard, Roky Erikson, and his own Los Jazz Vatos. Our spiritual leader, we’re lucky to have him! Find out all about El Jefe here: www.erniedurawa.com
Brian Mitchell – Vocals, Piano, Hammond B3 Organ, Accordion
Brian is the top guy to call in NYC for all things keys. Just ask Bob Dylan, Al Green, Allen Toussaint or Levon Helm. As well as performing with his own Loisaida Social Club, his list of session and performing credits is staggering. Brian brings scary genius to the Monstas with his distinct smokey vocals, and his songs of love and life in the naked city. Find out all about the Bside here: www.brianmitchellmusic.com
Matt Smith – Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Tiple
On any given day, NYC based Matt might be anywhere in the world, performing, teaching, or recording on almost any instrument with strings. From tiny blues clubs, to international guitar festivals, to Carnegie Hall, he’s been there. As well as producing many of his own CDs and instructional books, Matt's played with, opened for, or recorded with Sheryl Crow, BB King, Robben Ford, Trey Anastasio, and the NY Pops. He's a dangerous Monsta with incendiary, soulful playing, singing, and songwriting. Find out more here: www.mattsmithsworld.com
Joe Morales – Vocals, Tenor and Alto Saxophones, Flute, Trumpet
Joe Morales is the musicians’ musician…He has more soul in one little finger than most people have in their whole bodies. When he blows his horn…you can feel it almost to the point of tears! Always in high demand for his versatility, Joe can play any style, and sings directly from the heart. He played on a Grammy record with Flaco Jimenez and Ernie Durawa, who calls him his hero. “Talk To Me Joe!”
Rich Stanmyre – Electric and Upright Bass
A very busy bassist on the Austin music scene, he’s toured and recorded with Miranda Lambert, Roger Hodgson (Supertramp), Coco Montoya and many more. Rich has also performed on the Tonight show, the Today Show, and the CMT Country Music Awards show. Our groove Monsta, Rich holds down the low end of the beast!
Aaron Lack – Percussion and Steelpan Drum
Austin’s Aaron Lack is a key component to the Monstas. He lends a sprinkling of deadly percussion, and sinister steelpan drum lines and solos throughout the musical goo that is the Monstas’ sound. Aaron’s impressive resume includes gigs and recordings with Rokka-Tone, The Austin City Brass, Los Jazz Vatos, and many others.
Check out the new review from the Austin Chronicle HERE!
The Monstas
Meet the Monstas
You've met the Monstas before. Ernie Durawa is a fixture on the Texas-drummer scene, having played with Doug Sahm, the Texas Tornados, Los Jazz Vatos, and countless others. Brian Mitchell is the first-call keyboardist whose credits include Bob (Dylan), Al (Green), and Levon (Helm). Add weighty pros Matt Smith, Rich Stanmyre, Aaron Lack, and Joe Morales, and the scales are tipped. Meet the Monstas' opening track, "Crawfish Funk," doubles as a description of the Monstas' mash. On the surface, it's a Texas-New York tribute to New Orleans, replete with second-line rhythms, boogie-woogie piano, and a spot-on cover of Dr. John's "Such a Night." Underneath, it's an organic conglomeration full of surprises, like a soulful version of the San Antonio chestnut "Talk to Me," sung by Joe Morales, and Delbert McClinton's "I Want to Love You." As a group, the Monstas create divinely danceable music with the vaguely soul-retro "Rainy Daze" and a Tom Waits tip o' the battered felt hat on "Junkie for Your Love." Just when you think you know their sound, along comes Aaron Lack's steel pan drum adding that Caribbean touch to Mitchell's instrumental "Chicken Wings." That's where the Monstas' strength lies: not only in their musicianship but with Brian Mitchell, whose Dr. John-ish vocals and stylish ivory-tickling enhances his stellar songwriting on "Tango" and "I Only Smoke When I'm With You." Smoking is right.
12pm-10pm Friday and Saturday and 12pm-8pm on Sunday
* Live Tattooing * Sideshows * Contests * Alternative Model Search * Car Show * MMA Seminars * Tattoo & Piercing Seminars * Live Entertainment and More! *
Turn your Juke Box Up and let your Groove be
heard, let everyone know that your kicking up your heals and nothing
will get cha down...Not today, not any day! The Boogie I share is the
Boogie that will set you free, get on the phone and call someone and
let them know just how you feel about them!! Let them know that to
share the Boogie is a Blessing for us all!
Can't Ya' Feel it!
It's the Weekend Boys and Im so glad to know your coming back to the Evangeline Cafe in Austin the 1st and 2nd of October...and I wanted to let you know I just got the Juice, the Hot Wire from the Powers to unleash a Groove that will make All the Angels break down and do the Boogie Woogie...It's what All Good and Bad Angels Should do on the Weekends and knowing that they all ride the Groove Train makes me feel Great About it but I do need you to call someone Special and let them know that JaBeaux has the Mojo and they should Jump this Groove Train and enjoy the Ride! That way, I can relax and just Smile about this Power I hold inside!♥
Do you see what I see? The Boogie on the otherside, it's there for the taking and I see you taking it! The Boogie which Dives Deep within everyones Soul and unleashes that Groove Trapped inside...The Boogie which will set ya' Free so You can enjoy what is at Hand! Turn It Up Damn It and hit da Floor! I see you Dancing, Laughing, Loving until the Morning light! I see the Star that will be Shining in yo' Door someday! Don't you see it! Look through these Eyes and you'll see even more!
As you know Boys, Music is that juice that runs this Train and comes from the inner workings of our Souls...Never Break Bread with someone who Doesn't listen to Music...Soul to Soul, Heart to Heart...We Music Lovers Dance together for the enrichment of Mankind and this is why I wish you a Boogie Woogie Weekend! Go out and unleash that Mojo you have within and let it Flow! Thanks for being on this Groove Train! The Boogie is On!
It's Hump Day Buckaroo's and it's Time to lay down da Boogie Woogie. Your Groove is so Hot that this Baby can't wait to hit the Dance Floor!Tune into to your Local Community Radio Station and Turn It Up!! Let yourself glide throughout the Day knowing that I will always have you in my Heart and your Groove in my Soul...So glad to have you on this Groove Train! The Boogie is on!!
