The Texas-bred Monroe Mustang actually started in Norman, OK, when bandmembers Jason Stout, Brian Barry, and Taylor Holland attended Monroe Elementary School, home of the Mustangs. Soon after, the trio met Mike and Chris Linnen, and the band formed. After college, the group settled in Austin. Monroe Mustang released two singles ("I Was 18, It Was Hate"/"Maude" and "Wusses"/"Carcrash Head") before the Austin-based label Trans Syndicate issued their first CD, Plane Sweeping Themes for the Unprepared, in 1998. The following year saw their second CD, The Elephant Sound, issued by Jagjaguwar and De Avonden 091099 followed in fall 2000. ~ Gina Boldman