Ben Hutson started teaching himself guitar while he was a freshman at Maury High School,

and began writing songs within a year, drawing influences from artists such as Dave Dondero, Spoonboy, Against Me! and Propagandhi. Shortly after, he kicked off his live performing career at a weekly open mic night hosted by Fair Grounds Coffee in Ghent. Mancub recorded his first demo in 2006 and recorded a full-length, self-titled CD in 2007 with Valiant Death Records.

If you ever had the privilege of seeing Mancub perform live, you walked away from the show feeling inspired. Ben was very motivated and active in politics, local culture, and the DIY punk community. He had very strong ideals and could hold is own in any debate. When Ben played his songs, you could tell there was heart behind them. He had such a strong passion for his music and the message he was trying to convey. While a lot of his songs were politically motivated, Ben also wrote songs about events in his life and their impact on him. His empathetic nature is what makes the songs so likeable and easy to relate to. It is incredible that at such a young age, Ben was so in touch with reality and the politics of our world.

Top: Ben Hutson and Cayce Castelow | Bottom: Joe Amoury.

One of Mancub’s biggest supporters was Ben’s girlfriend, my sister Cayce Castelow. Cayce was a student in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Granby High School when she and Ben met at a local concert. They both graduated from their respective high schools in 2006, and the high school sweethearts moved to Richmond to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. It was there that Cayce and Ben met Joe Amoury, also a VCU freshman. They quickly became friends and Joe even accompanied Ben on mandolin for the Mancub full length CD.

Sadly, the love story and music ended too soon. In May 2007, Joe, Ben, and Cayce had embarked on Mancub’s first out-of-state tour, when they were involved in a fatal car accident that took all their lives.

Three years later, their legacy lives on in a very special way. Mancub has grown into a community of some of the most genuine people I know. This community means the world to me. It is a connection to the people I miss so much, a support system for when life is a little more than I think I can handle, and a huge part of what has shaped me to be who I am today.

My world was turned upside down in a matter of seconds when my sister, Ben, and Joe died. This community is what helped me turn it right side up.

I can honestly say that I would not have been able to hold on to such a positive attitude the past three years if it was not for the remarkable people that make up the Mancub community. Every person has their own special story of how they have become involved with Mancub and how it has affected them. Some are relatives, some are friends, some never met Cayce, Ben or Joe, but have since been inspired by their message and story. The Mancub community continues to grow and to celebrate the lives of the three people that have connected us forever.

A few months after the accident, a small concert was held at Fair Grounds Coffee in honor of Mancub. The small gathering has now evolved into an annual event drawing a crowd much too large for its original venue. The Mancub Memorial Show is the epitome of a team effort. More people than I can count put a lot of time and effort into making this concert the ultimate tribute to Cayce, Ben, and Joe.

This Saturday, June 5, the Mancub community will once again gather to celebrate life and community. The 4^th Annual Mancub Memorial Show will be held at the Five Points Community Farm Market in Norfolk at 6pm. The line-up includes: Imadethismistake, Steve Suckpunch, Folk the System, and Tim Naginey.

Proceeds go to scholarships set up in Cayce, Ben and Joe’s names or a charity of the family’s choice.

There is nothing like being surrounded by so many lovely people and honoring three kids who are impossible to forget. I hope you will come and join us, not only in this event, but in the Mancub community.