Two potentially divergent influences define Austin native Eve Monsees. First, as has been documented profusely, her childhood comrade in guitar remains blues powerhouse Gary Clark Jr. More importantly, perhaps, her first gig involved Ramones covers by Nineties garage punks the Soulbenders. Both underline the soundtrack to her ripping out the heart of a Telecaster with the Exiles, the crackerjack raunch & roll outfit Monsees has helmed since she came of age locally. Leading all-stars Mike Buck (drums/husband), Pat Collins (bass), and Thierry Le Coz (guitar) across 12 sticks of sonic dynamite, this taut rhythm section snorts out both prime era Yardbirds/Pretty Things (“One Glass,” “Follow the Thread”) and grinding, Chess Records- drenched blues (“Mr. Devil, Parts 1 & 2”). Crank a hybrid that could only have germinated on Austin soil.

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This article appears in December 4 • 2015.

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Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.