Cruiserweight (band)
Encyclopedia
Cruiserweight was an American
rock band from Austin
, Texas
. The band consisted of vocalist Stella Maxwell, guitarist Urny Maxwell, bassist David Hawkins, and drummer Yogi Maxwell. The band's sound was defined by poppy female vocals, as well as fast, sometimes aggressive instrumentals, while still retaining a pop/punk overtone. The name originated from the boxing
weight class of the same name.
where they gathered a small local following. During this time, the band gained attention by opening for already popular groups such as New Found Glory
, Alkaline Trio
, and The Get Up Kids
.
Cruiserweight's first EP, First Day of School was released in 1999. In 2001, the band released an EP entitled This Will Undoubtably Come Out Wrong. The EP sold around 11,000 copies locally.
The band's first album, Sweet Weaponry
, was released on February 15, 2005 on Doghouse/Heinous Records. The band embarked on their first national tour shortly after the CD's release. On March 7, 2007, The Push and Pull, a compilation CD, was released on Heinous/Stab Me Records. The record featured re-recordings and alternative versions of previously released songs, as well as songs not previously released.
In anticipation of the band's new album, Doghouse Records has put out an iTunes
exclusive EP release, Cruiserweight Rocks the Moon. The EP features songs that appear on their new album, Big Bold Letters, as well as a music video for the new song "Balboa". Big Bold Letters was released on Doghouse Records on October 6, 2008. They self-released their final album, the Smith Tower, on March 5, 2010.
Cruiserweight has received praise from local Austin, Texas publications. The Austin Music Awards awarded the group "Best Alternative/Punk Band" in both 2002 and 2003, as well as "Best Punk Band" in 2004 and 2005.
On March 30, 2010, Cruiserweight announced their breakup. They scheduled two farewell shows; the first will take place at Emo's in their hometown on April 24, the second at Pensacola, FL's Ready Room on April 30.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock band from Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The band consisted of vocalist Stella Maxwell, guitarist Urny Maxwell, bassist David Hawkins, and drummer Yogi Maxwell. The band's sound was defined by poppy female vocals, as well as fast, sometimes aggressive instrumentals, while still retaining a pop/punk overtone. The name originated from the boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
weight class of the same name.
History
Prior to Cruiserweight, brothers Urny and Yogi Maxwell had been in a little known band called Red Boxing from 1996 to 1998. March the following year, Cruiserweight was formed when the two brothers recruited their little sister, Stella (at the time only 18 years old), to sing in their new band. David Hawkins would also be added to the roster on bass after the departure of original bassist Craig Tweedy to return playing in The Impossibles. Cruiserweight formed in early 1999 in AustinAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
where they gathered a small local following. During this time, the band gained attention by opening for already popular groups such as New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
, Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
, and The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...
.
Cruiserweight's first EP, First Day of School was released in 1999. In 2001, the band released an EP entitled This Will Undoubtably Come Out Wrong. The EP sold around 11,000 copies locally.
The band's first album, Sweet Weaponry
Sweet Weaponry
Sweet Weaponry is the first studio album by the pop punk band Cruiserweight."To Be Quite Honest" is featured on the video game 'Saints Row', on the radio station The Rock FM 94.8-Track listing:#"Vermont"#"Goodbye Daily Sadness" - 3:21...
, was released on February 15, 2005 on Doghouse/Heinous Records. The band embarked on their first national tour shortly after the CD's release. On March 7, 2007, The Push and Pull, a compilation CD, was released on Heinous/Stab Me Records. The record featured re-recordings and alternative versions of previously released songs, as well as songs not previously released.
In anticipation of the band's new album, Doghouse Records has put out an iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
exclusive EP release, Cruiserweight Rocks the Moon. The EP features songs that appear on their new album, Big Bold Letters, as well as a music video for the new song "Balboa". Big Bold Letters was released on Doghouse Records on October 6, 2008. They self-released their final album, the Smith Tower, on March 5, 2010.
Cruiserweight has received praise from local Austin, Texas publications. The Austin Music Awards awarded the group "Best Alternative/Punk Band" in both 2002 and 2003, as well as "Best Punk Band" in 2004 and 2005.
On March 30, 2010, Cruiserweight announced their breakup. They scheduled two farewell shows; the first will take place at Emo's in their hometown on April 24, the second at Pensacola, FL's Ready Room on April 30.
Current members
- Stella Maxwell - Lead vocals
- David Hawkins - Bass
- Urny Maxwell - Guitar
- Daniel Lancelot - Drums
Studio Albums
- Sweet WeaponrySweet WeaponrySweet Weaponry is the first studio album by the pop punk band Cruiserweight."To Be Quite Honest" is featured on the video game 'Saints Row', on the radio station The Rock FM 94.8-Track listing:#"Vermont"#"Goodbye Daily Sadness" - 3:21...
(2005) on Doghouse/Heinous Records - Big Bold Letters (2008) on Doghouse Records
- The Smith Tower (2010) Cruiserweight Records
EPs
- First Day of School (1999) Cruiserweight Records
- This Will Undoubtably Come Out Wrong (2001) Cruiserweight Records
- Cruiserweight Rocks the Moon (2008) on Doghouse Records (iTunes exclusive)
Compilations
- The Push and Pull (2007) on Heinous/Stab Me/Cruiserweight Records>
- Cruiserweight vs. Dynamite Boy (2003) on Stab Me Records