While in middle school, brothers Rhett and Ryan Sutter decided to start a two-man band and called themselves The Lavone (pronounced as “love own”). Utilizing nothing more advanced than a tape recorder and a few basic instruments, they started writing and recording albums which they dubbed onto cassettes and shared with schoolmates, friends, and family. After two years and two albums, they were joined by schoolmate Mike Thomas and became a trio. After a few more albums, they bought their first multitrack recorder and christened their recording studio studio space with the name Nuclear Gopher.
Mike left the band as high school was coming to a close but The Lavone continued as the core duo of Rhett and Ryan until they were joined by younger brother Reed and guitarist Brian Arradondo. The final lineup of the band was a four piece consisting of Rhett, Ryan, guitarist Eric Elvendahl and multi-instrumentalist Brian Bishop and their final album release, Isotope, was recorded with that lineup.
After the release of Isotope the band took a break and the members started working on alternate projects. Rhett recorded his second solo album “Londa” but shortly after the release of that album, he passed away from complications due to blood clots that formed in his leg and that was the end of The Lavone era. They left behind a discography of 16 albums recorded over the course of 14 years and the legacy of Nuclear Gopher itself.
Discography
Isotope (2000)
The Hiatus (1999)
Some Enchanted Evening (1993)
A Concert for No-One (1991)
Purpose II (1991)
Escapyst Flowers (1990)
Purpose (1990)
A Spectacle for Compassionate Minds (1990)
Psychotic Requiem (1989)
Angel of Purpose (1989)
Earth Mother (1989)
Nukenlodgetisenberry (1989)
lavone (1988)
We Don’t Exist (1988)
One (1987)
Psychotrauma (1986)