12
Apr
2005
It's no surprise that Quad Cities' favorite ultra-lounge band has yet another treat in store for us. The Metrolites have pulled together an impressive group of bands to play a truly all ages show that's worth getting off your rear end and paying the $3 for. The show will feature the Quad Cities debut of Burnt Ends, along with The Metrolites, Minus Six, and Ben Pruitt at the Moline Community Center on Friday, April 15, from 7 to 11 p.m.
Metrolites' frontman, Scott Morschhauser explained that the band is trying to push an all-ages scene that literally everyone from Junior to Grandma can enjoy. The band is also helping out younger bands that play original music get started in the local scene. "We're trying to set up quality shows with smaller bands," he said.
The Metrolites have also begun to create music intended for motion pictures. As described by Morschhauser, some of the band's tunes come from the tradition of 1960s spy music and might be ideal for movie soundtracks. "We've had a few nibbles, but no bites yet," said he said.
While the band still makes mistakes such as forgetting lyrics during a show, sometimes they end up improving the quality of the music. Morschhauser explained that often the band will continue to "make that mistake" because it could work better than what was originally intended.
Burnt Ends is a rock-and-roll band with psychedelic guitars and folk influences that records its music in a cabin along the banks of the Mississippi in Muscatine.
The flooding of the mighty Mississippi is a calling for the members to bring together their musical talents.
"We play at a house that I and my wife moved out of," said Nate Wall, a vocalist, trombonist, mandolin player, and guitarist for the band. "We pick up the guys and take them in on a boat to practice." Luckily for the band, the house is on stilts, so the inside of the cabin remains dry.
Along with Wall, Burnt Ends is made up of John Watkins and M.J. Dunlap on vocals, guitar, and bass; Mike Clifton on guitar and bass; and John Boldt on drums.
The band evolved from what was originally just a Wednesday-night guitar club. "Over the years we got better ... as people came in and went out of the club," Wall said. "We turned into an actual band and we've had the same lineup since the fall of 2003."
Yet another quirk about Burnt Ends is that Wall built four electric guitars that the band plays. "My wife was away at school in Ames [Iowa] during the week, and I needed something to keep myself out of trouble besides the Wednesday-night guitar club," he said.
He built the guitars out of several different kinds of wood at his parents' carpentry shop. "The guitars play nicely and sound good," he said.
Burnt Ends' music is influenced by a range of bands, from The Flaming Lips to Van Morrison. The band's demo is very promising, full of original music and songs to jam to such as "Politics" and "Paper Doll."
"Paper Doll" takes on the common topic of love, but in a fresh way. "It's about a first crush, the moment the crush happens," Watkins said. "All those ridiculous thoughts that later seem really corny."
"Politics" tackles the topic from a different angle. "It was just a collaboration of images. It's about loving one another and not creating wars," Watkins said.
The members of Burnt Ends do not have stars in their eyes, planning on just playing shows in eastern Iowa and surrounding areas. "We're focusing on a good show," said Watkins.
"We want to keep it fun and not make our livings making music," said Wall.
Wall said that response from live shows has been surprising, with a wide range of ages. "I always thought it would be the college town type crowd," he said.
Although the band has been playing music together as an official band for more than a year now, it has no immediate plans for a proper recording, although Wall said that demos are available at shows and upon request.
More information about Burnt Ends and its music can be found at (http://www.myspace.com/burntends). The Metrolites can also be found online at (http://www.metrolites.com).
Metrolites' frontman, Scott Morschhauser explained that the band is trying to push an all-ages scene that literally everyone from Junior to Grandma can enjoy. The band is also helping out younger bands that play original music get started in the local scene. "We're trying to set up quality shows with smaller bands," he said.
The Metrolites have also begun to create music intended for motion pictures. As described by Morschhauser, some of the band's tunes come from the tradition of 1960s spy music and might be ideal for movie soundtracks. "We've had a few nibbles, but no bites yet," said he said.
While the band still makes mistakes such as forgetting lyrics during a show, sometimes they end up improving the quality of the music. Morschhauser explained that often the band will continue to "make that mistake" because it could work better than what was originally intended.
Burnt Ends is a rock-and-roll band with psychedelic guitars and folk influences that records its music in a cabin along the banks of the Mississippi in Muscatine.
The flooding of the mighty Mississippi is a calling for the members to bring together their musical talents.
"We play at a house that I and my wife moved out of," said Nate Wall, a vocalist, trombonist, mandolin player, and guitarist for the band. "We pick up the guys and take them in on a boat to practice." Luckily for the band, the house is on stilts, so the inside of the cabin remains dry.
Along with Wall, Burnt Ends is made up of John Watkins and M.J. Dunlap on vocals, guitar, and bass; Mike Clifton on guitar and bass; and John Boldt on drums.
The band evolved from what was originally just a Wednesday-night guitar club. "Over the years we got better ... as people came in and went out of the club," Wall said. "We turned into an actual band and we've had the same lineup since the fall of 2003."
Yet another quirk about Burnt Ends is that Wall built four electric guitars that the band plays. "My wife was away at school in Ames [Iowa] during the week, and I needed something to keep myself out of trouble besides the Wednesday-night guitar club," he said.
He built the guitars out of several different kinds of wood at his parents' carpentry shop. "The guitars play nicely and sound good," he said.
Burnt Ends' music is influenced by a range of bands, from The Flaming Lips to Van Morrison. The band's demo is very promising, full of original music and songs to jam to such as "Politics" and "Paper Doll."
"Paper Doll" takes on the common topic of love, but in a fresh way. "It's about a first crush, the moment the crush happens," Watkins said. "All those ridiculous thoughts that later seem really corny."
"Politics" tackles the topic from a different angle. "It was just a collaboration of images. It's about loving one another and not creating wars," Watkins said.
The members of Burnt Ends do not have stars in their eyes, planning on just playing shows in eastern Iowa and surrounding areas. "We're focusing on a good show," said Watkins.
"We want to keep it fun and not make our livings making music," said Wall.
Wall said that response from live shows has been surprising, with a wide range of ages. "I always thought it would be the college town type crowd," he said.
Although the band has been playing music together as an official band for more than a year now, it has no immediate plans for a proper recording, although Wall said that demos are available at shows and upon request.
More information about Burnt Ends and its music can be found at (http://www.myspace.com/burntends). The Metrolites can also be found online at (http://www.metrolites.com).
