It’s a sweaty night (again) at The Cockpit. We arrive to discover that they have removed the second bar from the back of the main stage area – thank goodness – it was always a waste of time – as you only had to walk 20 feet to the main bar, although I suppose if you stagger it seems longer…
First up are Easyworld who saunter on – looking relaxed, although you can sense the nervousness in them as the crowd chatter remains a constant thrum – the bane of every support band – playing their hearts out while the crowd chat over it. I suppose hey are best described as a cross between Placebo and Del Amitri, fronted by a Chris O’Donnell lookalike who has an amazing voice but takes himself a little seriously for my liking. Highlight for me is their third song “Junkies & Whores” although “Second Amendment” is also excellent. At one point a mandolin is brought out to replace the guitar for parts of a song and complement the bass, drums and new keyboard player. He looked slightly nervous as he played but did a stormer if it was his early days with the band. They are a strong group – with some excellent songs and I have to say – after this and the EP I heard recently I’m eager to hear the album. They look like they enjoyed themselves and – by the end they’ve silenced the chattering crowd – which is no mean feat!
After an interminably long time – during which I squeeze through to the front to take photos – and find myself stuck there hoping my wife’s not getting bored at the back! She eventually takes the stage in a flurry of rock moves, throwing herself around, thrusting herself into the audience. It has to be said that I’d assumed this would be a more sedate gig although having known what Skunk Anansie were like I should have realised that once a rocker…
She performs a large number of tracks from “Fleshwounds”, including “Faithfullness” and “Trashed” – which are my personal favourites. She also performs a fairly kick-ass version of “Getting Away With It” – the New Order song.
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She sets up a banter with the crowd, in her (surprisingly girly Cockney accent) , but kind of ruins it when one girl shouts out she’s been listening to the album all day “**** you – I don’t!” says Skin, before realising that that was, frankly a crass thing to say under the circumstances. There are obviously a lot of long term fans out there – a fair number from the gay scene – and they don’t need alienating really. She tries quickly to rectify the situation with a call for “Up the Leeds massive!” but somehow I think at least one fan will be listening to the album less this week!
She gets up close and personal with the crowd and builds back a level of banter with them. When someone shouts “nice arse” she gives a good comeback. He crowd go pretty wild especially at the front – looking like they’re well into it, moshing a bit, although – one suspects – not as wildly as her days in Skunk Anansie.
She gives intros to a couple of songs – explaining the personal parts behind them “but the bitch still left me” and “its about ***ing someone you shouldn’t be” being a particularly fine explanations as to the angst in the songs!
Its definitely an entertaining night, the band show they have settled in to playing with her well, providing a solid backing of twin guitars, bass, keyboards and drums. The lighting adds to the overall atmosphere and the crowd add steam to the proceedings. All in all it’s an impressive start to a solo career and while not the extreme shift that the album initially suggested to me – one which I suspect will carry her onwards for several more albums.
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