by JOHNSON CUMMINS

Moneen's singer/guitarist Kenny Bridges is trying to beat the brutal heat of Tempe, Arizona. "The only relief is trying to take quick naps," he says. "When you're outside, it feels like someone hugging you the whole time." Bridges has been out sweating bullets for the past little while supporting the band's new record Are We Really Happy With Who We Are Right Now? and probably won't see the end of the road for quite a while. After signing with indie giant Vagrant, this little o'l emo band from Brampton, Ontario, have been selling out every show they play south of the border and have been collecting quite a bit of hoo-ha.

Moneen started off on Winnipeg indie label Smallman and, when Vagrant came a-callin', the band insisted right from the get-go that Smallman would be able to keep the band for Canada. "We always said that no matter what label we talked to, we were going to make sure that Smallman was still involved. They worked so hard over the past three and a half years for us. To just turn our backs on them wouldn't be right. We were pretty take it or leave it with Vagrant about that. They had no problem at all and Smallman was really happy about us working with Vagrant. It worked out great."

One of the most energetic bands to take a stage, Moneen have been injured in the name of rock and have had more than a few guitars reduced to kindling. "The other day we were playing and I walked backwards as Hippie [singer/guitarist Chris Hughes] jutted his guitar forward and jabbed me right in the butthole and it actually hurt so much I couldn't believe it. I was a really hyperactive child when I was little and used to throw myself down stairs for fun, so I think my body is good at taking it. Just on this tour, I think I have glued my guitar back together like, three times. We can't really afford new guitars so when I break one, I just think afterwards, why am I so stupid? I've gotten really good with glue and duct tape, so I'm kind of learning guitar repair if the band doesn't work out."

With Selfmademan and guests at Salle l'X on Friday, July 25, 7pm, $10, all ages

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