Words and Photos: Richie Yates
We had chance to catch the first two bands at the Swinging Arm on one of the Birkenhead Underground Sounds ‘Punk Sundays’. These free gigs have been going on for a few years now masterminded under the Birkenhead Underground Sound banner by Steve Hock of Biteback/Instant Agony and many other punk bands hailing from Birkenhead. They are helping put Birkenhead and the Swinging Arm on the map for serious gig goers and its FREE.
Steam Kittens are a raw melodic but clashing sound, songs are at the fore here with tunes and thoughts being projected onto the audience. I liked these a lot (even bought their CD). They have something that makes the listener vibrate along with them. Serious one minute and lively and raucous another. It’s a up front punk set they play with and accent on melody but veering off into almost Jim Morrison moments where the vocals project above a strong rhythmic pulse expressing concern for those around them lyrically. Very open and honest both musically and verbally. There’s something greater here than a pub gig with limited sound could project but as it is, its good.
Gen N or Generation N are on tour from Germany. We are in serious Ramones territory here but with a slant thats refreshing and a little bit wild. Somewhere between Surf Sounds, Old School Punk and New York Dolls with a throw in of Stiff Little Fingers, old school style rock n roll punk that wants you to chant along.They mangle through a Ramones cover in a fun way at the end but there’s depth to the rest of their set. straight ahead and damn the torpedoes music that carries you with them.
Links:
Steam Kittens
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteamKittensRocknRoll
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@steamkittens100
Gen N
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GenerationN