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March 15, 2007

G.B. Looks Beyond T.C. Base
by Chris Riemenschneider

Originally published online at:
http://www.startribune.com/457/story/1057278.html

It may not look like it, since he's playing the St. Patty's Day gig at O'Gara's again Saturday and still hits Bunker's most Wednesdays. But man-about-town Brian Leighton has been setting his sights well beyond the Twin Cities over the past year.

He and his semi-eponymous band, gb Leighton, recently joined the roster at national booking agency Monterey Peninsula and then signed with the North Carolina management company that launched Hootie & the Blowfish. Their new managers then hooked them up with Don Dixon, co-producer of R.E.M.'s "Murmur" and several Smithereens discs.

Dixon and the band spent the last few weeks of 2006 holed up recording at -- of all places -- Leighton's parents' house in New Brighton.

"My parents were out of town for the winter, so their place was empty," Leighton explained. "It was more comfortable than a studio. And a lot cheaper."

Another reputable rock veteran, drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, Bob Dylan), was brought in by Dixon for some sessions at Winterland Studio. The end results will be a new gb Leighton album this year, one that Brian hopes will get a national release and put the band on tour more.

"I love all the work we get around here," he said, "but we're ready to give it more of a shot in other places, see what happens."

Saturday's green bash at O'Gara's will feature a big tent and other sets by Tim Mahoney, Tony Sims and more (3 p.m., $10)