The 100% Skateboard Skate Competition was part punk show and part middle-school recess. It was certainly the most family-oriented venue that I’ve ever covered, but that gave the bands playing a chance to introduce their music to a younger audience (for better or worse). Teen rockers Heatray organized and promoted the music side of the event, then opened up with their first ever live set.
Antonio Macias band followed, another local Twin Falls act, adding a mellow indie flavor to the middle. Boise’s Illicit Nature headlined- at least most of them did. They arrived sans two members so a certain magazine writer borrowed Heatray’s bass and filled in with about 10 minutes of rehearsal. It all worked out in the end, but there’s no question that the sets were backwards and Heatray should have been headlining this hootenanny.
Heatray were well rehearsed and ready to rock. Their set was way longer than I expected and was mostly originals. Vocalist Mack oozed charisma with that patched-up jacked and an impressive voice for someone so small. The group even had the gumption to throw in an improvised encore about frogs and toads before making their message clear: kids of Twin Falls, grab an instrument and start a band. Your scene needs you.
Heatray was born in a small city full of country music. They couldn’t find a punk scene, so they rolled their sleeves up and built one from scratch. They fearlessly asked several Boise bands to come play with them, and out-rocked the only one that did. Doing it yourself is what punk rock is all about. Twin Falls ain’t ready for these kids.
Spud media 