The Gaslights with Rhinestone Diplomats, Aviette, and Kentucky Air at Lee's Liquor Lounge on 6/1/06

By: Kristine Lambert

Aviette - Photo by Tom Healey

Minneapolis’ west side skyline warmed my heart as I drove up to Lee’s from the west on Glenwood Avenue. The sun was just setting and the colors reflected off the buildings matched the Lee’s Liquor Lounge neon perfectly. I walked in at 8:58 and the first band, Kentucky Air, was already finishing their second song. I guess Lee’s is serious about their schedule, not to mention the fact that the clock behind the bar (the Budweiser one that incorporates a full-on Clydesdale shadow box) is 10 minutes fast.

Kentucky Air is a country band featuring John Ostby on acoustic guitar and Christian Twigg on bass (both of Spymob and N.E.R.D.). The band also includes Bob Johnston on drums (Splendid Creatures/King’s English) and Spencer Bernard (also in King’s English) on electric guitar. Ostby described Spymob as “piano pop, rock, funk, and blue-eyed soul,” and this line-up demonstrates the diverse musical talent of its members: piano pop-rock goes country.

Kentucky Air told its audience a variety of stories with their understandable lyrics, solid harmonization, and a mellow stepping bass--including one called “I Think I Can Live With You.” The song featured Johnson harmonizing on vocals about a ghost of a fallen Civil War soldier who lives in Ostby’s grandmother’s house. Another song, “Let You Down,” was about an unfaithful man who laments, “I feel like I let you down” and, “I’m spending money that we don’t have while you lie in bed.” You can catch Kentucky Air at wine bar 318 Café in Excelsior on July 8, and they also plan to release an album by year’s end.

Next, indie rock trio Aviette cleansed our country rock palate. The band features Holly Muñoz on guitar and lead vocals, Justin Hartke on bass and occasional back-up vocals, and Kyle Larson on drums, and we can expect their new album, Until We Hear From Dave, sometime this August. Aviette originally caught my ear about a year ago at The Entry when I bought a copy of West of Pleasant by Maelee Whitman (the original inception of Aviette) and Muñoz sent me home with an Aviette care package of posters and buttons. Muñoz’ breathy voice is reminiscent of Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval with a dash of Suzanne Vega. She slips easily between half notes, allowing a slight dissonance that makes you feel like you are just far enough away from home. Live or recorded, Aviette could be the perfect score for a David Lynch film.

Abigail Henderson of The Gaslights - Photo by Tom Healey

At one point during their set, I heard a completely unidentifiable sound. Hartke was slaying his bass, ‘The Reverend,’ with chords and reverb. Against his rig, Hartke was making The Reverend sound like a guitar beast in true art rock form. After the set, I asked Muñoz why they didn't cover “Every Rose Has It’s Thorns” (a frequent occurrance during their sets), to which she replied that they might bust it at their upcoming show at the Kitty Cat Klub on June 16. And then, without pause, she instructed me to grab five bucks, go directly to Cheapo and pick up Poison’s greatest hits.

Sticking to the rigid minute-by-minute schedule, Rhinestone Diplomats took the stage punctually. They were billed as “The TC’s newest country-rock band,” despite the fact that they have been together for about two years and playing out for a year or so. The band includes Aaron Cabbage on guitar, harmonica and vocals; Steve Sutherland on drums; Dave Wickiser on bass; and Steve Wold on guitar and vocals. I found these guys to be a perfect band for Lee’s, except that – even though it was Thursday night and one of my favorite live music party nights – the dance floor remained vacant. Maybe it was due to the distraction of the new and intrusive 3’x 4’ television by the booths on the opposite side of the dance floor; which detracts from the normal eye candy of Lee's like the raccoon, the marlin, a barrage of neon beer signs, and, of course, the Elvis shrine. I had to ask myself whether the days of Trailer Trash and 2 Tickets 2 Paradise are forever gone. Come on, Minneapolis, let’s rally. Lee’s used to be packed on a Thursday night for country rock.

Rhinestone Diplomats did not disappoint me, though. Songs like “Wasting Time” had a solid back beat that made this band completely danceable. They inspired me not only to take out my Exile on Main St., but also Some Girls and Sticky Fingers. “How Did, What If?” asks “How did you learn to be so jaded all the time…how did you learn to be that way?” Well asked, Diplomats. The classic rock guitar solo and harmonica made the song a perfect blend of “Tumbling Dice” and “Sweet Virginia.”

If Rhinestone Diplomats asked why we are so jaded, then Kansas City’s self-confessed whiskey band The Gaslights gave us our reasons with songs titled “Wicked Love,” “I Fall Down,” “Gone,” and “Not Again.” This band includes Chris Meck on guitar and vocals, Johnny Eggerman on bass and vocals, Glen Hockemeier on drums and background vocals, and Abigail Henderson on lead vocals and guitar. I’m pretty sure that Johnny Cash was giving this band a wink from above during their double-timed version of ‘Long Black Veil.’ After the set, Henderson cited Loretta Lynn and Lucinda Williams as her main vocal influences; but I think she sounds like a Dolly Parton who would and could kick your ass.

Location Info: Lee's Liquor Lounge
Artist Info: Aviette, Kentucky Air, Rhinestone Diplomats, The Gaslights

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