David Viner @ Cockpit
By Andy Buchan
Something's not quite right. As we walk into the Cockpit, I'm forced to dash behind the nearest jukebox as I hear a haunting "Exterminaaaaate" from behind me. Turns out to be GLC's auto-androgynous hit "Half man half machine." Jokers. And I swear that's Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy's bastard love child over there (eurgh).
The Tardis like trip is complete however as we step into Ye Olde Cockpit. Benjamin Wetherill has been born 70 years late, which is great news for Leeds and this small Monday night crowd. Hair slicked down with Desperate Dan's Pomade and in a tailored three-piece suit, the boy oozes consummate charm and genuine honesty. In a world where Bush vs. Kerry is even seen as a contest, it's refreshing to see just one man with his soul laid bare.
With the nimblest fingers in the West, his ukulele play on George Formby's "Noughts and Crosses" sends a ripple of 'Coos' round the crowd as his fingers bend and contort like Stretch Armstrong in a Barbie/Cindy threesome. He even covers The Shirelles "Will you still love me tonight," making Dirty Dancing fans curl up in mullet heaven while the rest sit back and remember when it was all fields round here, I tell thee... simply wonderful.
Next on the solo time warp tour is Siobhan Parr. Having made her name with the riotous Alabama 3 (Soprano's theme tune), this 19-year-old Sarf Lahndaner is on her first tour. She has a huge "hang your coat on that' voice that's both mellifluous and brassy. At times it soars, filling the cavernous venue with Dolly Parton warmth. At others however, it drowns in a sea of vibrato and nerves.
Sadly, the first timer nerves hit the songs too, spiralling them into nondescript O.C. territory. One paced and generic, many tracks simply fall by the way with Siobhan too eager to please yet too quick to jump from song to song. No doubt hugely talented, a backing band would do wonders for her confidence.
David Viner is the real deal though. Discovered by the Von Bondies as a guitar tech eloquently strumming soulful blues, he's since played with the White Stripes and recently opened Spiritualised's recent mini tour.
Tonight he's joined by his "cronies" as the resonant double bass, simple drums and kinetic guitars take the show up a notch. His unique brand of delta blues swamp into your mind, juggling roots harmonies with full on hillbilly rock giving your best tapping foot a bunion-inducing workout.
Best is new single "Long gone honey," its rarefied country swagger giving Ye Olde Cockpit a real spit and polish(ed) performance. We even have the first crowd banter of the night, with David claiming that the next song caused several heads to explode the last time it was played. Several two steps later and with all appendages intact, the gig draws to a close and Leeds is sent away with a new spin on history.
