MY biggest regret in recent years was skipping the end of We Are Scientists’ set at Leeds festival last year to go and see another band.

My second biggest was telling this to the New Yorkbased trio’s guitarist and singer Keith Murray when I happened to run into him in a pub toilet in Middlesbrough.

Our eyes met over the soap dispenser as we washed our hands and then there was slight awkwardness about who should use the hand-dryer first (I insisted he went first, he very graciously underwent only a quick blast before moving aside).

The gig itself confirmed I was right to regret missing their finale at Leeds, Murray told me during our brief conversation that the festival had been one of their best shows ever.

Well, Middlesbrough felt equally good for me.

When I first heard them after the release of their first (and my favourite) album With Love And Squalor, I thought the band was their science project and that they had actually discovered the formula for writing instantly catchy songs.

The crowd at the Empire was in fine voice and between songs the band made full use of this by cracking wise with us. It got to the point where it just did not seem fair any more, not only were they talented musicians with great tunes, they were witty as well.

They played a mix of old and new, highlights included Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt, Great Escape and Chick Lit, before coming on for a three-song encore culminating with the simply brilliant After Hours.

My advice, go and see We Are Scientists – and make sure you stay to the end.