Countdown to Mud City Meltdown – Interview with The Monoxides

Photo Credit: Kathy Robichaud

From July 25 to July 30, Mud City Meltdown takes place in Moncton, NB. The festival showcases some incredible local talent, as well as some national and international acts that are certain to please the crowds. We are happy to be working alongside MCMD to showcase some of the talented bands and artists that will be performing! First up, we had Moncton based The Galpines then indie folk group, Les Hay Babies, and Nova Scotia’s Marc à Paul à Jos. Today, we are happy to chat with Ken Kelley from Moncton based band, The Monoxides.

First off, care to introduce yourself to the Canadian Beats readers?

I’m Ken Kelley. Drummer and occasional mouth-piece for Moncton band The Monoxides

Mud City Meltdown is back for its third year, how does it feel to be a part of this event?

We are so excited to finally join the ranks of what has quickly become one of my favourite times of year. In a short period of time, Mud City Meltdown has become as essential to the summer season as lobster and being on the beach. Even though I don’t really care for lobster or the beach, I know a lot of people that love both!

The lineup for Mud City Meltdown is loaded with so much Canadian talent, who are you most excited to check out at the festival?

Personally speaking, I’m looking forward to seeing Like A Motorcycle and Gold City Ashes, both of whom are playing the same show as The Monoxides and Headstones. Although we’ve run in slightly different musical circles in the past, we’ve known Chris Colepaugh from Gold City Ashes for the last 30 years and have worked with him in varying capacities, but playing live hasn’t been one of them. So we’re looking forward to that. As for Like A Motorcycle, I’ve heard such great things about their live show, it’s going to be an epic evening of music.

While you’re in Moncton, are there any “must see locations” that you hope to check out?

There is so much fun stuff to do in Moncton. If you’re a music fan, you’d be a dang fool to not check out Spin-It Records downtown. If you’re in the mood for amazing grub and great beer, I’d highly recommend going to the Tide & Boar Gastropub.

Are you performing at any other festivals this summer that you’d like to tell us about?

We are also scheduled to play the Quality Block Party in Saint John on Saturday Aug. 12. It will be our first show in the city for more than 17 years.

If someone has yet to see you live, how would you describe your live show?

I’m completely biased, but I do genuinely think we have one of the best live shows going today. It’s an energetic experience. We don’t really let up at any point. I think it’s hard not to get drawn in to the energy of a live show when the band is having a good time.

When you head out on tour or in this case for festival season, what 3 things must you make sure you pack?

Three essentials to pack? Sunscreen, a poncho, and drinking water.

Here at Canadian Beats, we’re all about Canadian talent, who are some of your favourite Canadian bands/ artists?

As for Canadian bands, we absolutely love the Headstones, The Pursuit of Happiness, The Age of Electric, Ian Blurton and all his bands of the last 20+ years, and, of course, hometown boys like Nerve Button and the Motorleague.

What’s up next for you?

Up next for us? Aside from the occasional live show, we are hoping to get a couple of singles recorded and released. It’s been way too long since we’ve had new product to share. It’s long overdue at this point!

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