It’s always a special occasion when music stars collaborate, whether it be Eminem and Elton John at the Grammys, or Nelly and Tim McGraw fusing rap and country. Unknown to the masses but beloved to fans of independent music, the frontmen from Pedro the Lion, American Music Club and Centro-Matic have recently joined singer/songwriter Vic Chesnutt to create an indie supergroup that’s been packing venues across the nation.

The four musicians, united under the Undertow Orchestra moniker, have filled venues as large as First Avenue in Minneapolis and are coming to the Maintenance Shop on Monday.

Mark Eitzel, David Bazan, Will Johnson and Chesnutt will take the stage at the same time, singing their own songs and accompanying each other. This is the first time these artists have toured together. Bazan, formerly of Pedro the Lion and currently with the Headphones, said the four will be helping each other perform hits from all their acts.

“We will each play about three songs at a time,” he said.

Bazan is no stranger to the music world. Pedro the Lion has been around since the ’90s, but recently disbanded.

The band’s final album, “Achilles Heel,” emphasized songs of a darker nature.

Although he continues to work with the Headphones, he said he will also work under his own name, performing songs from multiple projects with the Undertow Orchestra, a project he said he is enjoying.

“We’re all slightly dark song writers. We have pretty decent sense of humor and we all try to make fun of each other,” Bazan said. He said when the band has a day off they can be found drinking a cold one and watching one of their favorite shows. “We watch ‘The Office’ a lot,” he said.

Chesnutt, of Athens, Ga., said he was originally discovered by Michael Stipe of REM, who produced Chesnutt’s first album.

“Michael dragged me kicking and screaming into the studio and made me record a record,” Chesnutt said, who has recorded several albums since then. His latest, “Ghetto Bells,” includes backing from artists Bill Frisell, Van Dyke Parks and others. Chesnutt said he was in a car accident in 1983 that left him partially paralyzed, but he hasn’t let it hinder his passion and pursuits with music.

In 1996, Columbia Records released the album “Sweet Relief II: Gravity of the Situation” to raise money for musicians without health care. The album consists of songs written by Chesnutt and performed by artists such as Madonna, The Smashing Pumpkins and REM.

Chesnutt said the tour has been a positive experience.

“Wow, this [tour] is great, I really dig all of their songs,” he said. “I thought it would have a positive affect on my spirit and heart.”

Eitzel and Johnson were unavailable for comment regarding their current tour, but both members have extensive musical resumes.

Eitzel, hailing from California, is currently the frontman for American Music Club and also a solo artist. Talk of American Music Club breaking up has been circulating the music scene for some time in light of Eitzel’s personal problems, which permeate many of the band’s songs.

The band is still together, writing songs with punk and pop influences. Its latest album is 2004’s “Songs for Patriots.”

Johnson is the frontman of Centro-Matic and South San Gabriel. Both acts have toured extensively in Europe and North America, adding years of live experience to Undertow’s lineup. Scott Danborn, fellow member of Centro-Matic and pianist and violinist for the Undertow Orchestra, said it has been an inspirational experience.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play for [these] artists. I have total respect for them. I’m continually inspired,” he said.