The Monstas

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.