I had no idea when I woke up Monday that I would be seeing the Starlight Mints within the day. I was alerted to their Louisville show about a half hour before doors opened and still managed to have a spot right up front. Now for anyone who doesn’t know that Lexington and Louisville are over an hour apart, let me explain that this was not the most well attended events. Strange, then, that it should be one of the best concerts I’ve been to in a while.

MP3: Starlight Mints – Seventeen Devils

Upon first hearing Drowaton, Starlight Mint’s new album, I pictured a band backed by at least two–no, three–string players. Songs like “Seventeen Devils” get half their punch from it, so they have to bring it to the live show, right? Yes and no. The string, horns and other backing instruments are all there, but either in synth or pre-programmed form. Even so, this didn’t provide the distraction or let down that you might figure. Their performance Monday was fantastic enough so that the overall impact of the album was preserved and joined with the energy of a live show.

The Mints didn’t play for too many more than twenty people on Monday, but if anything it made for a better show. They were more talkative and open than they’d been in Covington, asking the audience for suggestions on how to kill their two day hold over until their Nashville show. And though he frequently coughed between songs and explained that he was getting a bit sick, lead singer Allan Vest sounded none the worse for wear.

The setlist was mostly made up of Drowaton material (fine by me) with a few assorted classics. They started with their traditional bang, a particularly rocking version of “Rhino Stomp,” before moving on to the rest of their catalogue. My favorites of the evening were “Seventeen Devils” (my favorite song of the year) and “The Bee.” Great band, great show, great time. It’s shows like Monday’s that make me thankful I’m at a point in my life where I can drop everything and drive to a beautiful event like this.

My interview with the Starlight Mints