Words by Johnny, images from social media.
Back in 2008, Pete Bentham had this barking idea to form a band, being a part of the Liverpool punk scene for what seems like an age, he concocted one of the (in my opinion) craziest notions of calling the band Pete Bentham and the Dinner Ladies. Now, we have all seen many bands over the years, but let’s be honest, if you hadn’t heard this band before, would you go see a band by this name, id suggest many wouldn’t, without knowing what they were all about. And so, the Dinner Ladies were born.
17 years later, numerous line up changes, 1000’s of gigs across the UK and Europe, they have become one of the most prolific bands on the scene. Rebellion, Bearded Theory, local gigs, national and abroad gives credence to the Dinner Ladies magnetic attraction to bring you in and listen to, and witness something that is genuinely unique in the music world. So where do they fit in in the musical labelling of bands. Pete will tell you it’s Kitchen Core, some will say punk art, other folky punk. To me, they’re just Pete and the Dinner Ladies.
Saxophone sounds accentuating lead guitar, the occasional double bass, beautifully crafted bass lines with drifting powerful guitar chords, held together in perfect time by sublime drum work. They cover every aspect of life, from space travel, to a certain monarch’s nether regions……. Those who know, know.
The following is a paragraph from Pete explaining what this album is about, a common thread these days in an uncertain world, the words also contain a personal account which is often untold by the song writer………….
“PETE BENTHAM & THE DINNER LADIES
ART, RELIGION & CHOCOLATE BISCUITS”
“Welcome to our record Art, Religion & Chocolate Biscuits. When we did the last album What’s On The Inside Has To Come Out, we did a song called I’m Shy, which received a massive amount of interest from people. Our songs have mostly been observations of things that I thought were funny or interesting, but that one was different. I guess I always thought that writing about myself was a bit self-indulgent. But maybe not, if other people can relate to it? So, this record has got kind of a theme of mental health; both good and bad. Plus, a bit about getting older and realising that things that have made you and things that have messed you up, often originate from your childhood. Although it takes a while for you to realise it. It sometimes it does you good to write things down anyway. If you want to write to the Dinner Ladies, we are at peterben_@hotmail.com Make Scouse Not War. Pete x”
There ya go, to me, The Dinner Ladies is one of the most loved outfits out there, when playing, you only need to look around the crowd to see everyone smiling, dancing and having a good time to some quite special music. Incidentally, having seen these in a room of 50 people, and then at Rebellion to a few 1000, the energy, passion and love for the what they do is exactly the same, that also goes for the smaller intimate acoustic sets they do, as many of you will attest to.
Right then, the album, the title says it all really, what they don’t cover in their music probably isn’t worth writing about!
Shed
The need to have our own space, to escape the rat race, chill out and just be alone. A simple song that takes us into our happy place to reset and think without the static of life clogging up the old grey matter, even just for a short while.
Is there life in Rhyl?
Why choose Rhyl? why not! The need to find that something in your life that makes you happy, often unable to find the answer we continue to search and ask the elusive question that could complete our life. The joy of this song is that the writer isn’t forcing you to follow their values, but to make your own decision to try and find the light at the end of the tunnel that will make you feel complete.
Art is Shit
Another one of those cryptic messages lurking between the lines here, deriding your own craft in order to get a message across. Is art shit, it’s called objectivity. How many times do we see so called famous artists exposing the often-ridiculous art forms they claim to be art. Duct taping a banana to a wall, a pile of bricks or a heap or ropes. Yes, art is objective, but come on, some really is shit to our own definitions, likes and senses.
Oh yeah, “don’t feed the hippies, it only makes them worse” …………………. I like hippies Pete, so there.
Attention Deficit Retention
A clever play on words, and one of the heavier tracks on the album. Kind of a double negative, or indeed a double positive, whichever way you look at it. The track outlines what seems to be a pandemic of mental health, insecurity and pain of living in the modern world with all of its desires, pressures and bullshit.
Mermaids in the Mersey
Clearly personal lyric here, water water everywhere. A substance that makes most of our beings, the need to be close to it and learn from its grace, power and resilience. Listening to the water and what it has to say. An apt line from this track………”be resourceful, be content, be together, be yourself”. Sommat different from Pete here with some idyllic backing vocals, quite hypnotic.
Punks don’t Jam
Ah, another personal view of musical tastes and how its done. Punks don’t jam, bit of a quandary here, I think they do, but then again, I could be wrong. DIY music is such an honest from of music, and art in itself some might say. So many bands feel the need to hit the mainstream wagon and stay on it, is it for fame, money, respect. Or just a rut that some get themselves into, and often unable to get out of. You decide.
Its OK to be Quiet
Going back to what Pete said at the start, the shy Pete, the one that stands at the side, taking it all in, and showing the talent on stage. I wonder of it is because he feels he doesn’t deserve the plaudits he receives and just allows people to make up their own minds without shoving it down people’s throats. I actually find that many band members, more so the front man/woman, who is like a whirling dervish/banshee on stage, is often very restrained in character off stage. It’s like there are 2 people in front of you, the wild excessive personality then the reserved quite one. Split personality syndrome of the artist, there’s madness in that there genius.
Holy Pictures
A massive curve ball on this track, the use of piano and lyrics which are personal to me, and it seems a growing opinion in the youth of today. The abject aversion to religion, its icons, art and ethos. A very dark interpretation of what religion is all about and how it imposes fear into the weak and vulnerable.
Stand by your Nan
Simple message here, respect ya elders. These days we have no idea how our elders, be it parents or grandparents endured what they did, trying to bring up a family under extreme pressures, lack of finances and so on. Materially, we have it so easy these days, whatever ya want, you can get. Which in a way erodes the respect that many deserve, yet seem not to get. Respect others, respect each other.
Lie Down
When you have just about had enough of everything, the need to escape in rest and sleep. The speed at which our society travels at is getting faster and faster as time goes on. We all need that bit of time to ourselves, to take stock and just chill. Lie down, close ya eyes and drift off to a restful happy plane of existence.
So, what label d’ya put on the Dinner Ladies, yes, its punk, yes, its folky, yes, its rock n roll. Its everything and anything you want them to. Serious, nonsense, thought provoking. Honest lyrics with humour, often dark, but songs people talk about and actually listen to. This album I believe is something new from Pete, who put me onto the Mouldy Peaches a couple of years ago, and I can help but see similarities to their self-titled album. I can’t really explain why, so listen that one too.
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dinnerladiesliverpool
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/31185710867
Bandcamp: https://petebenthamandthedinnerladies.bandcamp.com/
Web: https://antipoprecords.co.uk/petebenthamandthedinnerladies/
Email: peterben_@hotmail.com