Evil Stig is the epitome of a band with a cause, or a mission if you will. The story behind this group is a tragic one; one that will never have a happy ending.

The group started as the Gits, drummer Steve Moriarty, bassist Matt Dresdner, guitarist Joe Spleen and singer Mia Zapata. Then the unthinkable happened, on July 7, 1993 Zapata was raped and murdered in Seattle. The murderer was never found.

This is where Joan Jett comes into the picture.

Jett joined with the remaining members of the Gits to record a song for a benefit compilation. The band got on so well, that Evil Stig, Gits Live backwards, was born and has since released a self-titled CD last August.

“I could have just written them a check,” Jett said in a press release, “but it didn’t feel right. I never knew Mia, but there was something about her I felt.

“I wanted to do a benefit or something. I wanted them to get to play Mia’s songs again.”

Nine of the 13 songs on the CD were co-written by Zapata, the remaining were co-written with Jett, including Jett’s hit remake “Crimson and Clover.” Oh, and after the last song, “Drunks,” let the CD play for six more minutes, and you’ll hear a secret song — an added bonus.

“I didn’t think we could ever do these songs with anyone,” Moriarty said. “But we’ve felt right about this with Joan from the beginning. It just came together so naturally. Like it had to be.”

Until Zapata’s killer is found, all royalties from the CD will go to the Mia Zapata Investigative Fund and additional funds will be donated to groups dealing with curtailing abuse of women.

Evil Stig will perform at People’s Bar and Grill tonight. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Portions of proceeds from this show will benefit Iowa State’s “Take Back the Night.”