You'd never guess it by scanning their list of accomplishments, but Mon Frere aren't a legit band. Just ask 'em. "We don't feel like a real band because we don't have a full-length," says Nouela Johnston, the trio's 20-year-old frontwoman. "I feel like we're the only band in Seattle that hasn't released a full-length yet. It's frustrating. I don't want any band with an album opening for us; I feel like an asshole!"

"Yeah," agrees guitarist Kyle Swisher, "Like, who are we? We don't even have a record out yet!"

It's not like they haven't paid their dues, though. Coming from Mountlake Terrace (about 20 minutes north of Seattle on I-5), Mon Frere create a dance-punk sound infused with jazz, blues, and fuzzy garage undertones. The trio were first unveiled to the public in 2004 when, after having only been together four short months, they won Sound Off!, EMP's annual underage-band competition. They beat out Idiot Pilot and the Lonely H for the prize (both of whom have since released albums, ha ha).

Thanks to the boost of attention from Sound Off!, the band—then featuring David Haasl on drums—found themselves frequently getting asked to play shows around the Seattle area.

"Once we won Sound Off!, we basically have never had to book a show," says Swisher. "It's always happened for us."

"Yeah," Johnston laughs. "People ask me if it's hard to book your own shows. Like, is it hard to say 'yes' or 'no' to the e-mails in your inbox?"

While regularly playing the city's all-ages venues, the band used their downtime to record the Real Vampires EP on the small local Smug Life label. By the time their release show came around, Mon Frere had garnered a devoted fan base, with their popularity being proven by the full house at the Vera Project. Soon after, they played to a sold-out crowd at Neumo's while opening for Gossip. They played Bumbershoot, they were finalists in The Stranger's Big Shot competition in 2005, they appeared on 107.7 The End and KEXP, and they even did a couple small tours down the West Coast. And still, despite all this, the band—now featuring Dustin McGhie on drums—insist the lack of a real full-length record keeps them from legitimacy. Oh, kids these days.

Without a full-length release for fans to embrace, Mon Frere's impressive live performances, and their dedication to playing as often as possible, have kept them on people's radar.

Onstage, Mon Frere exude a sleek and sexy energy. They flaunt the confidence of seasoned performers, with their youthfulness only breaking through via the occasional goofy stage banter and enthusiastic baby-faced grins. With a mop of shoulder-length curly brown hair hiding him from onlookers, Swisher passionately burns through fuzzy guitar riffs. Johnston is usually cemented behind a stack of Roland and Rhodes keyboards, supplying the dance side to Swisher's guitar work. She sings beautifully, almost sultry and buttery on songs like "Leaving Town," but she'll just as easily unleash an onslaught of attitude and borderline tantrum throwing at the stroke of the keyboard. And while McGhie is still new to the band (his membership became official in January), he has made a seamless move into the position, drumming as though he's sat behind his bandmates for years.

It's about time these kids get some validation, and on May 2, their debut full-length, Blood, Sweat & Swords, will be released on Cake Records. To some Mon Frere fans, the album won't be too much of a surprise, as the band have been playing a good chunk of the tunes over the past year, but newcomers to Mon Frere's sound will be pleasantly surprised by the versatility the album displays, which isn't as prominent on the Real Vampires EP.

But what's most exciting about the upcoming release? "Now people will know all of the songs we play at shows," says Swisher. And the band is also ready to tour. They'll leave in late May for over a month on the road. "I can't wait to tour!" Johnston exclaims. "I'm doing nothing in life right now. I'm just waiting to go on tour." Her bandmates laugh. "Seriously. Every day, I do nothing."

All that's about to change, as Mon Frere are a real band now.

megan@thestranger.com