Metrolites marketing to multiple demographics

By Sean Leary, Entertainment Editor

Usually the only time you see a granny gettin' down with a junior is at a wedding reception, on a soft-drink commercial or in Demi’s and Ashton's photo album.

But Scott Morschhauser is out to change that.

Yup, he's taking a shot at Demi. Watch it, Ashton.

No, actually what the frontman of The Metrolites and former driving force behind The Kabalas is setting out to do is broaden the age range of the people who come to local gigs. He's trying to draw everyone from the babies to the baby boomers and from Generation X and Y to Generation WWII to his Go Go Golem-produced all-ages shows. The latest Machiavellian move in that direction will take place tomorrow.

From 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, The Metrolites, Burnt Ends, Minus 6 and Ben Pruitt will perform at the Moline Community Center, 1613 5th Ave. The cover is just three bucks; the bill features talented bands with plenty of fans; and it's all ages on one stage. You'll have the Metros with their spy-fi eclectic space-jazz-pop; Burnt Ends playing melodic alternative rock; Minus 6 pounding out a keyboard-based college rock similar in sound to Ben Folds Five; and Ben Pruitt, a singer-songwriter with neo-folk leanings.

"Usually when you think of an all-ages show, you think of a bunch of teens getting together to throw a thrash-metal or punk concert," Scott said. "Not that there's anything wrong with that, but we'd like to widen that scope so that `all ages’ means all ages can come out to the show and enjoy it.

"We've proven over the years, with the Kabalas and now the Metrolites, that it's possible to do shows for multiple demographics, from the blue-haired teens to the blue-haired grannies, and we'd like to see that expand," he said. "Not only do we want parents to feel comfortable sending their kids to a Go Go Golem show, we want the parents -- and the grandparents, for that matter -- to be able to come along, too."

Sure, at first it sounds weird. But it makes a lot of sense when you think about it. After all, the grandparents of today were the kids who brought rock into the mainstream in the '50s and '60s. And the parents of today's teens grew up banging their heads to Metallica and Guns N' Roses or listening to U2 and R.E.M. in the '80s. This is no longer a country of Mike and Carol Brady adults, shaking their heads and saying, "Oh, those crazy kids!"

No matter what the FCC would like you to believe.

Anyway, the point is, adults aren't giving up their concert privileges -- anyone who saw Duran Duran, John Mellencamp or Donovan at The Mark recently can vouch for that. They still enjoy live music. They still want to see good shows. And just because they're married, have kids or are approaching retirement, they don't want their gigs to solely feature regal compositions by dead German guys. Unless you count Falco.

"We know it's kind of a new idea, but all we're asking is for people to come out and give a show a chance," Scott said. "We think they'll like it."

Hey, why not? And if you can't make it Friday, check out www.metrolites.com to find out about future gigs.

Besides, if you feel somehow uncultured and uncouth for checking it out, you always can find a middle ground and request a song by a dead German guy.

I'd recommend "Rock Me Amadeus."

Us magazine says it's Demi's and Ashton's song!

Entertainment editor Sean Leary can be reached at (309) 786-6441, ext. 293, or by e-mail at sleary@qconline.com.

Copyright 2004, Moline Dispatch Publishing Co.