Gig Review: The Screaming Dead, Pete Bentham And The Dinner Ladies, Biteback and Nervous Twitch - Sunday 2nd November 2025

Words: Steve Watson, Photos: Johnny

Well what a day to celebrate a birthday, four bands a free gig at Birkenhead Swinging Arm ,what more could anybody want for! First up were Nervous Twitch a pop/punk indy three piece from Leeds on a mini UK tour promoting their new album, “The Day Job Gets In The Way” Erin Hyde vocals and Bass Jamie Churchley guitar backing vocals and Chris Cooper on drums.

Stand out tracks were Alright Lads, Johnny’s got a gun, my mums an anarchist, day job, Knitting with anger. Punky, poppy, with a 60s surf ambience.

Second up were. Birkenheads own Biteback with a band change, new members father and son Marc Webb and Connor Shaw along with Hocky on vocals and Phil on drums. Stand out out tracks we’re, One Eyed City, Warrior, Growing old disgracefully and Open you eyes. An old band mate referred to as Go-Ed Gary got up and played with them. I even got a birthday mention “Happy 70th” jeez I was only 61. Concrete Jungle truth followed by the end track Bad Blood.

After that were Liverpool Kitchen-Core (their own description) punk band Pete Bentham And The Dinner Ladies. Also having a new band member Dr Pepper on the saxophone. They too gave a newish album out Art Religion and Chocolate Biscuits. They opened up their set with Shed which also had the PA blasting out the Damned Love Song by the Damned providing us with a Damed/ Dinner Ladies mash up. Other highlights were Brick, What’s on the outside, Kebab. THere was crowd participation in Hip Potater with the audience down on the floor and then jumping up together at the appropriate time. Goth Postman was played with guest vocalist Bobby from The Bossmags. Is There Life in Rhyl, I’m shy and Deads Not Punk followed.

The final band were Cheltenhams horror punk band Screaming Dead. Necroaria,, Ghosts and other album tracks were played and minor hit a cover of Paint it Black by the Rolling Stones, other covers included New Rose, and Love Song by the THE DAMNED. New Rose had an audience participation who introduced the song but carried on singing. Other notable tracks were Resurrection, Night creatures Stop The World, 20th century vampire. Over all it was a rather jolly good afternoon/evening. Birkenhead Underground Sound put these free gigs on onstage Sunday every month, worth checking out.