Powder Monkeys released three studio albums, Smashed on a Knee (March 1994), Time Wounds all Heels (February 1996) and Lost City Blues (2000), before they broke up in 2002.
[5] Powder Monkeys were established in 1991 in Melbourne by Tim Hemensley on bass guitar and lead vocals (ex-Royal Flush, GOD, Bored!
"[6] However people with in-depth knowledge of the Powder Monkeys know they were part of an unbroken line that began with bands like the MC5 and the Stooges, in cities like Chicago, Detroit and New York.
[6] McFarlane opined, "Despite its uneven, rough-hewn quality, [the album] possessed enough moments of sheer excitement and blazing energy to catapult the band to the forefront of the independent scene.
"[6] Powder Monkeys increased their live performances during 1994 and supported tours by Deniz Tek Group and by Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs.
[6] Their next release, in February 1995, was a five-track EP Straight Until Morning, which was recorded by the Hemensley, Nolan and Ray line-up for a Triple J live broadcast.
[6] Powder Monkeys released a single, "The Supernova That Never Quits" in December 1995, ahead of their second album, Time Wounds all Heels in February 1996.
"[6] Tharunka's reviewer noticed that the band members, "have all had Seattle-grunge bypass operations, allowing them to get on with some serious rock action" and that the album, "is powerful, basic and honest rock'n'roll, played with instinct and the amps turned up loud.
[6] Powder Monkeys spent most of 1997 in hiatus and re-emerged in August 1997 with a single, "Get the Girl Straight" (400 copies, red vinyl), on the Death Valley label.
[6] Powder Monkeys also recorded a new studio album, Lost City Blues which was released in 2000, with Swedish producer, Fred Estby on their White Jazz label.
"[13] Nolan spent several months recovering, and the group reconvened in 2002, recording a song for the Dirty Deeds soundtrack as well as a cover of legendary Detroit band The Dogs' "Black Tea".
The final recordings by Powder Monkeys were compiled on a CD, Outta Control Rock'n'Roll, released posthumously on the Dropkick label in 2005.