HOW apt that as the curtain fell on another York Viking Festival, a musical marauder with Scandinavian links sailed into the city with four chords and a barrel of laughs.

He may not have been as visually stunning as a dragon boat or a flashing blade, but the larger than life comic with the flowing locks packed a mighty punch with his tiny guitar and Motorhead looks.

There was no rape and pillage on the City Screen's comedy menu last night, but Benn's brand of musical humour flowed straight from the kitchen sink.

Gritty ditties included rants against the evil influence of boy bands (Die Westlife Die), and the popularity of Coldplay copycats, alongside warts and all songs about less than glamorous relationships.

A sore throat may have hampered an ambitious attempt at an all-the-parts skit on the BBC's version of Perfect Day. But his packet of Tunes did the trick and ensured the return of Mitch went without a major hitch.

Earlier in the night, Liam Mullone's clever wordplay wrapped itself around the crowd.

His material may have been as thin as a Nordic invader's temper, but topics like heartless playground taunts were thrust on the rack and stretched until they snapped.

The meat between this appetising sandwich was local lad Howard Spencer Mosley, whose surreal set included a mock radio interview with A-Team tough guy Mr "You Crazy Fool" T. More miss than hit - we loved it when his plan came together.

Updated: 11:15 Monday, February 21, 2005