CRUISERWEIGHT
Sweet Weaponry (Doghouse/Heinous)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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After a pair of self-released EPs, Austin, Texas' Cruiserweight take a big step with a full length CD and a tour, and it sounds like they're ready. The quartet, which features three siblings, including front woman Stella Maxwell, have actually been doing the touring thing for quite a while, booking the shows themselves and working and working and working, and hey, they really did get sharp as a knife as a result. Sweet Weaponry plays like a high energy pop-punk concert, minus the cliches. They don't bother with the silly attitude bullshit, presumably because it would get in the way of just plain playing and having fun. They're about energy and humor and honesty, and lots of harmony, crunchy guitars and lock-tite drums and bass. Even their name alludes to a lack of pretension, as if they're refusing to strut and claim to be the heaviest of heavyweights. Cruiserweights are in the division just below heavyweights in boxing, y'know. They don't get no respect, but they throw some of the meanest leather. These Cruiserweights are a blast to listen to. I've heard that they're about this much fun in concert, too, so I'll be looking forward to that experience.

© 2005 - DJ Johnson