Student rock band The Crash Outs are turning up the excitement as they head into the final round of Island’s Got Talent. The four-piece group of St. Michaels University School students: Liam Wilkinson ’29, Kathryn Chen ’29, Ethan Venegas ’29, and Alex Wilkinson ’32, have been invited to submit a 60-second performance video that will air during the Island’s Got Talent final on CHEK News on October 29.
The Crash Outs plan to showcase their original song, Enough of You — a track they wrote earlier this year, which will be shared publicly for the first time through the broadcast.
The band’s story began last year when Kathryn asked Liam if he wanted to play Basket Case by Green Day.
“That was before Ethan and Alex joined the band,” Liam recalled. “I used to play solo performances in Grade 6 and 7, and in Grade 8 Kathryn approached me about doing a song together. We played Basket Case and thought the sound wasn’t great, so we recruited a bassist and a lead guitar player.”
Since then, the quartet has become a regular presence at SMUS now having performed in chapel, assembly and the Cops for Cancer outdoor music day. Together, they continue to hone their skills, practising once or twice a week at the Wilkinson household. Their musical inspirations range from Sum 41 and Linkin Park to Metallica and Green Day, but their own sound blends punk-rock energy with melodic hooks.
“We all know how to play every instrument, so the four of us switch instruments for every song,” added Liam.
“It’s very exciting to see the band gain traction, and we would love to take our music to an even bigger stage, like America’s Got Talent,” said an aspiring Alex.
“The band isn’t going away anytime soon," cemented Ethan. "We will still be performing any chance we get — whether it’s in front of our school or larger audiences.”
Tune in to CHEK News on October 29 to see The Crash Outs’ video debut of their original song Enough of You as part of the Island’s Got Talent final. Community voting will help determine the winner, so be sure to watch and show your support for The Crash Outs!
