Rockin' on common ground

Six heads bop to the beat; six heels tap in time. The final chord of Boston's "More Than a Feeling" fades away on the high-tech sound system.

The drummer bounces up and down, twirling his sticks in the air.

"I'm good. What can I say?" A smile spreads across Zach Carlisle's face as he looks at his fellow band members — who are all musicians between 9 and 17 years old.

David Murphy knows the face of the new generation of rock 'n' roll. He sees it every day.

At Wasatch Music Coaching Academy in Salt Lake City, more than 25 students meet to learn how to play in rock 'n' roll bands.

Murphy founded the academy, located in the Alan Weight Studios, 959 E. 900 South, Salt Lake City, in March 2004, to give private instruction to budding musicians. A year later, he started the rock 'n' roll classes.

"I love being around kids. I love seeing (them) play music that adults typically do," said Murphy, director of the music academy.

While most adults banish teens to garages, basements or other people's homes, Murphy works with these young musicians, learning the classics — Chicago, Queen, The Police, Nirvana.

"It's a wonderful way to make a living," he said.

With wildly streaked hair, black wedges and tight-legged jeans, 14-year-old Felicia Anderton stands on top of an amp to make her 5-foot frame be seen above Joe Fitzpatrick, 14, and his moppy hair that would put The Vines to shame.

Ky Tawhai, 15, hides behind her straight brown hair as she plucks the back-beat on her bass.

The lead singer is sick at home, so Murphy belts out the tune more than slightly off-key as his adult voice can't quite hit the notes the missing girl is supposed to sing.

Murphy hopes to help other adults appreciate his students' music. Parents are encouraged to attend rehearsals and performances and use the music as a forum to communicate with their children.

Zach, 9, and his guitar-playing brother Nate Carlisle, 11, both play in the band, and their mother Kris comes to just about every practice and performance.

"Rock 'n' roll can be fun, wholesome and can be something the entire family can be involved with," Murphy said. "Quite a few parents have told me it gives their kids a greater appreciation for the music they swore they would never like."