Workin’ On Fire | Boise, ID | Rock / Original / Alternative | Music, Lyrics, Songs, and Videos

“The three members of Workin’ on Fire have just released their second CD on iTunes. They have played dozens of sets at some of the best and biggest local venues, and they still haven’t graduated from high school. It all began in the summer of 2009 when Austin Williamson, now 17, took first place in a blues guitar contest. Soon after, he and his best friend, drummer Zach Bonaminio, 16, decided to form a band. The two Timberline High School students, now juniors, found bassist Peter Maguire, a 17-year-old Boise High student. “In July (2009) we started to look for a show,” said Williamson, who often wears his hair in a faux-hawk style, with a variety of colors. The band scored its first gig at The Venue that summer. “That first show got us pumped up,” remembers Williamson...”

— Chris Butler, Idaho Statesman (FRONT PAGE)

“Punk rock band, Workin' on Fire won Donnie Mac's 'Boise's Got Talent' overall grand finale Sunday night, taking the $500 grand prize at the Boise Center on the Grove - St. Alphonsus Festival of Trees. The group will be the featured music entertainment Dec. 9 at Qwest Arena (XFS 55 - Mixed Martial Arts, Night of Champions, 6 p.m.).”

— Staff writer, KBOI2

“Workin’ On Fire sounds like three well-rehearsed, hard-working teens having a blast making a self-released album. Frontman Austin Williamson’s guitar attack is polished yet gritty — sometimes punkish. The kid can play; there’s no resisting the epic, classic-rock exit of “End It with a Dream.” Better yet, Williamson’s vocals often evoke Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong on these appealing, modern-rock originals. Raw energy fuels “Pillow,” “The End Again” and “Out.” But the band slows things down smoothly on the jangly “Please Begin,” which — like several songs — uses vocal harmonies to enrich the arrangement. Reality check: These songs sound better, not to mention more promising, than many adult bands’ do.”

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman

“Speaking of students, the local rock trio Workin' On Fire are starting to get a little heat. Austin Williamson, Zach Bonaminio and Peter Maguire are mere babes in the woods--all three still in high school--but they have a press kit, high-res promo shots and a surprisingly rockin' debut full-length CD, Mike Smith, which they saved up busking tips to pay for. In the year or so they've been around, the baby band has received some accolades: They recently won the latest round of Donnie Mac's "Boise's Got Talent" and netted $500 for the win. And on Thursday, Dec. 9, they'll perform as part of the XFS 55 MMA "Night of Champions" throwdown at Qwest Arena. The show starts at 7 p.m., tickets are $10-$40. For more information on the show, visit qwestarenaidaho.com. For more on the band, visit myspace.com/workinonfire.”

— Amy Atkins, Boise Weekly

“Workin’ On Fire, a band comprised of four 16-year-old young men, has been gaining a following in the Boise area and is currently working on an album titled “Mike Smith,” which, in the vein of Lynyrd Skynyrd, is named after a detractor of the band who has made multiple noise complaints about the band to authorities. Aaron Williamson, who is the band’s manager, said the group may be young, but the members have made their name on technical ability and melodic song writing. “They’re an alternative rock band who plays mostly original music. They hang their hat on their instrumental ability,” Williamson said. ”

— Argus Observer

“Boise Teen Band Workin' on Fire to Saturday at the Harvest Festival ”

— Emmet Messenger

“When teenage rock band Workin' on Fire uncorked a cover of the Violent Femmes' "Blister in the Sun," one of the members of improv group Insert Foot Theatre - being drowned out by the music - waltzed over and did a hilarious dance in front of the stage. Soon enough, the two groups had basically combined forces.”

— Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman

“Workin' On Fire on tv!”

— Fox Channel 12

“Boise, ID- Thank you for all of your votes, and for the 24 bands taking part in our Battle of the Bands. Here are the top 5: 1. Soul Serene 2. Pilot Error 3. Actual Depiction 4. Lust Greeds Envy 5. Workin' On Fire These bands will be putting on a free concert at the Knitting Factory on December 17th for all of you! The show starts at 7:30pm. ”

— Fox Channel 12

“One of the newest bands to enter the scene is a group of Timberline and Boise High sophomores called Workin' On Fire. The brainchild of guitarist/singer Austin Williamson, his band has performed an impressive 18 gigs in three-and-a-half months--the math works out to a show a week, a tall order for a band also busy with sports and school. Increasingly popular, they attribute some success to their appeal beyond the high-school crowd. ”

— Boise Weekly

“Workin' On Fire was the headlining photo in the Boise Weekly article about Donnie Mac's Boise's Got Talent Competition. ”

— Boise Weekly

“Competing were punk newcomers Workin' On Fire who kicked off the night with an energetic, almost British-punk-scene influenced set. It was really cool to see such young kids creating a sound new to our area. ”

— Boise Weekly

“Workin' On Fire headlining photo of the Donnie Mac's article. http://www.boiseweekly.com/Cobweb/archives/2009/10/14/does-boise-got-talent-well-see-tomorrow-night”

— Boise Weekly

“Smokin Local Band Names 1. Zombie at Heart 2. Workin' on Fire 3. Stop Drop and Party 4. BOATS! 5. Innocence Betrays 6. Dressed to Thrill 7. The Fear Between You -Source: underground uncovered productions, The Venue”

— Boise Weekly

“It was really cool to see such young kids creating a sound new to our area.”

— Kelly McDonald, Boise Weekly