September 19, 1998

MINNEAPOLIS:   The crowded floor of the solidly built Bunkers' Bar & Grill literally shakes as bargoers jump up and down to the chorus of gb Leighton’s "Shag" ---  and it's only midway through the second set.

The group, which is led by bald Brian Leighton, has arguably become Minnesota's top-drawing bar band. For the past five years, Leighton has played at least 280 shows annually. In August, he celebrated four years as the Wednesday-night fixture at Bunkers in Minneapolis. Last year, when Leighton opened for the BoDeans at the Minnesota State Fair, it was obvious that the 9,500 shiny, happy concertgoers had come for him as much as for the popular BoDeans they sang along with Leighton's -songs. Each of Leighton's three indie albums has sold 15,000, and they've ranked as top regional sellers at the Best Buy And Sam Goody chains. The group's latest, "Live From Pickle Park," opens with a cover of "Sweet Jane" before moving on to some of the originals--"True To Love," the Springsteen-ish "Man In The Moon," "Shag"-that have made Leighton a favorite throughout the Midwest. He spent three months on a Phillip Morris club tour in '97 and appeared as a rock singer in the indie film "The Marksman." Leighton will be in the spotlight in September opening for Jonny Lang at the Minnesota State Fair and, as a solo performer, for Joe Cocker at Minneapolis' State Theatre. He is booked by Monterey Peninsula/Nashville.

-Jon Bream