Kane Fulton

It was something of a surprise when Manchester's Whisky Cats climbed onto the stage to open tonight's proceedings; as with any oft-championed band who happens to be a personal treasure, one tends to feel a bit robbed when they're slumped so unfairly low in the line up. But of course, Leeds isn't their territory - to this reviewer's knowledge, the band have played the city only twice, and is still a proving ground for the feline pentet. In one way it's a good thing; as the cheap £1 bottles of 5% volume Indian beer ensured, most people were drunkenly dancing as soon as the first note rang. See: we were pissed.

But cheap beer isn't the only selling point of TJ's Woodhouse club: the sound was pristine, making every song from Whiskycats' self-titled LP sound every bit as engaging as they do on record. As Jim Spencer (the man who produced the aforementioned album) stated, the five members of Whiskycats are incredibly talented on their individual instruments; and as good as the songs are on record, it's when they play live that the band really shine. Last month's single Slipped Disco is a three minute skiffle affair; complete with a saxophone interlude that has the room bobbing up and down and attempting a Russian folk dance. If you've seen the video, it'll make sense. Forthcoming coming single Amsterdam is constructed in a similar vein - syncopated trumpet stabs, empowering bass and simple, yet effective lyrics ("This calls for a night in Amsterdam!").

A couple of non-album tracks are also thrown in for good measure, including the live favourite 'Move Along, Giddy-Up!'; and as with all Whiskycat gigs, individual members are giving the spotlight, and a chance to shine. Locked Out Lover is case in point - the one particular part of every Whiskycats set where virtuoso saxophonist Felix Hughes pushes his instrument to the absolute limits, forcing his bedraggled-looking instrument to produce notes it's not expected to. If the best performers can make their instruments talk, Felix can surely get a whole conversation from his piece of brass. However, when talking about individual talents, it's usually drummer Sam Draper who makes heads nod in collective agreement. As his solo in the last song of the set God of the Vacuum demonstrates, he is a formidable drummer - more than capable of bashing out a three-minute, almost prog-jazz solo.

However, individual talent is only part of what makes Whiskycats such a satisfying live band. Originality is their primary appeal; they simply don't sound like any other band currently doing the rounds. Sure, they have elements of jazz, Latino, indie, and even pop that other bands incorporate, but few do it with such an accessible style that still, after three years of being played live, refuse to sound tired or date, which is surely testament to the quality of the songwriting. At this gig the band played to their strengths - with nary a lull or slow moment in the set, Whiskycats delivered one of their best gigs to date. Better than last months' Cardigan Arms gig, and almost as good as their Leeds festival date, TJ Woodhouse club has hosted one to remember.

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