October, 1999

Brian Leighton:
Lead vocalist for the Twin Cities band gb Leighton

mspmag.com: How long has the band been together now?
BL: Well, gb Leighton has been going for 10 years, but this band is basically about five years old.
mspmag.com: I know what songs I like to hear at your shows, but what are some of your favorites to perform live?
BL: You go to our shows?
mspmag.com: Yeah!
BL: Really?
mspmag.com: I sure do!
BL: Cool! My favorite songs? Hmmm, I guess I have a song called "Hearts Desire" I really like and "Trouble With Sophia." Both of them are new. I enjoy a lot of them.
mspmag.com: What's in your CD player right now?
BL: Right now? I've been listening to the Mischke CD. Do you know who he is?
mspmag.com: Ah. . ., no.
BL: 1500 AM Radio at 8 pm -10 pm--the Mischke broadcasts. He's talk. Actually, he had a CD at the State Fair for sale, and I bought it and I've been listening to that. But musically, I don't know what I have in my CD right now. I think I've been listening to "The Band," their box set.
mspmag.com: When you're out and about in the Cities, what's your favorite restaurant to hit?
BL: Boy, it depends on how much I'm going to spend. For steaks, I like Manny's or Jax Cafe. Or for other things, I like Sawatdee. I love their cream cheese wontons--they're very good. And their beef jerky is great, too. Let's see, Nye's Polonaise Room, I like that place. They have good food. Any place that offers au gratins as a side dish is one for me.
mspmag.com: Working on anything new?
BL: Yeah, I've got three songs recorded now for the new CD but hoping to get into the studio here soon and get the rest of it done, and hopefully earlier next year have something new.
mspmag.com: Last but not least, how about your Super Bowl prediction.
BL: Maybe Vikes by 7. I'll just say Vikes.

--Michelle Carlson

*Thanks to Mpls. St. Paul Magazine for permission to reprint.