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4/24 Dynamite Boy Cruiserweight, originally uploaded by imbinky.

Photos from the 4/24/2010 Dynamite Boy, Manatee and Cruiserweight show at Emo’s

I will remember Saturday, April 24th 2010 for probably as long as I live. It was happy, joyous, fun, remeniscent, old school, old friends, amazing bands and will all of that, it was such a bittersweet night.

Dynamite Boy has been a huge part of my life and one of my favorite bands and favorite groups of people for…well…for as long as I can remember living in Austin. Their music was an instrumental part of my life and some of the biggest decisions I have made in my adult life were inspired by their music. I did artwork for them and designed their logo. I have a Dynamite Boy tattoo. It speaks to me and for me. They broke up a on May 9, 2005.

Cruiserweight, comprised of three incredible Maxwell siblings and the awesome David Hawkins and in recent days Daniel Lancelot on Drums played their first show on June 27th 1999…my birthday, so I’ll always remember that date. Next to Born to Lose, I’ve probably been to more Cruiserweight shows than any other band ever. Urny is one of the best guys and most talented people I know and I love Stella to death. Their music is fun and powerful and meaningful and on point. Everyone I’ve ever introduced their music to has also loved them and thought it was one of the best “girl fronted” bands they’ve ever heard. I did artwork and CD designs for them. Dave is moving to go to school. They broke up on April 24th, 2010.

Cruiserweight was the last of the “Austin Punk Rawk” era pop punk bands.

April 24, 2010 Dynamite boy and Manatee reunited to play the Cruiserweight Farewell show at Emo’s on the inside stage (while Bone Thugs N Harmony took people to the crossroads on the outside stage). The show was sold out weeks in advance and the place was packed. It was awesome. I saw so many old friends and past “show acquaintances” that I haven’t seen in six or seven years. It was great.

Manatee was so good, like they had never stopped playing! They looked exactly the same as they did five years ago and still all looked 14. Made me feel old.

Dynamite Boy was amazing as usual. They played so many great songs and the crown knew very word. I’m sad they didn’t play Knockout, but it’s cool. I still like them.

Cruiserweight was great. They played an awesome set and rocked some old songs they never play anymore like Trophy Girl and they were very humbled and graceful in their goodbye. Daniel played the first half of the set and Yogi got up and rocked the drums on the second half. They do a killer cover of Don’t Stop Believing by Journey and they rocked it. They are a class act. I love them as people and musicians. I will miss Cruiserweight.

It was great to see all the old faces, it was awesome to see these bands live again, it was cool to be able to take someone who had never heard of or seen any of the bands for the first time on such a great night. It was incredibly sad to see it end. Sure, there will be reunion shows, but it’s not the same. It’s also another sign of the fact that I am getting older and things are continuing to change and I am growing further from my adolescence.

Also, Reuneral is a word I just coined! A reunion and a funeral at the same time. It seems that all too often the only time old friends get together is to celebrate the end or Funeral of something we all shared, so it seemed fitting.