Self-proclaimed proprietors of “Kitchencore” and Merseyside artpunk legends, PETE BENTHAM & THE DINNER LADIES are delighted to announce their new album Art, Religion and Chocolate Biscuits, set for release on 1st August 2025 via fast-growing and well-respected local label 9x9 Records.
The album was recorded by Dean Tyler and Anthony Brady at Pacific Rooms, Liverpool in March 2025, except for ‘Holy Pictures’, recorded by Stephen Cole at What Studios, Liverpool.
To celebrate the news, the band recently revealed the video for lead single ‘Art Is Shit’ which is out now on all good digital service providers.
Commenting on the single, Bentham says: “Art is Shit is about constantly being told by my parents when I was younger to stop messing about with all that art and music stuff or I'll never amount to anything. Maybe they were right!? But later on I discovered Andy Warhol who said, "Don't worry if your art is any good, let other people worry about that. And while they are doing that, make more art". And that's punk rock! So it's about that DIY spirit in everything we do.”
The track is the first new material since their acclaimed 2022 album What's on The Inside Has to Come Out, the band’s 6th studio album and first outing on new label home 9x9 Records.
Pete and his Dinner Ladies will be appearing at Rebellion Festival and Bearded Theory Festival this year, with a string of other UK live dates on sale now—further festival appearances and live dates TBA over the coming months.
Much-loved veterans of the Liverpool music community, Pete Bentham & The Dinner Ladies have been at the vanguard of the UK/EU’s DIY scene for over 15 years. To date they have released 6 studio albums and 2 EPs. Fusing the raw rock and roll of The Cramps with the invention of The Fall and the pop sensibilities of X Ray Spex to produce their own "Kitchencore" sound, their songs are witty, quirky tales of northern working class life.
Featuring goth postmen, sensitive lorry drivers, and personal heroes like Yuri Gagarin and Marcel Duchamp, Pete’s writing is always original, regularly funny, and often surprisingly poignant. Wit and humour are rife throughout their records, often belying poetic lyrics that are deep and colourful, ringing out over a backdrop that spans the very limits of the punk canon.
Renowned for the energy, vibrancy, and theatrics of their bonkers live show, the audience should expect the unexpected—maybe even some free Scouse stew dished out by drag queen backing dancers Cantina Turner and Tash Potater (aka The Dinnerettes).
With a work ethic that puts most to shame, Pete Bentham and his band have been carving up the UK and Europe on the road at hundreds of live appearances over the years—indeed, it’s rare that they are not traversing the punk provinces of the UK, taking their spectacular live show to new stages, uneven surfaces, practice rooms, pub lounge corners, patios and pavements…basically, anywhere and everywhere that will book them.
They’ve become regulars and annual festival highlights at the Blackpool punk Mecca of Rebellion Festival, as well as appearing at Bearded Theory, Sound City, Beatherder, The Great British Alternative Music Festival, and many more.
Further details of the new album will be revealed over the coming weeks.
Live dates:
- 21.05.25 - Catton Park - Walton on Trent
- 24.05.25 - Bearded Theory Festival
- 21.06.25 - Snailmania @ Future Yard - Birkenhead
- 26.07.25 - Buck & Bell - Southam
- 07.08.25 - Rebellion Festival - Blackpool
- 12.09.25 - Rough Trade - Liverpool
- 19.09.25 - The Classic Grand Lounge - Glasgow
- 20.09.25 - Whistle Binkies - Edinburgh
- 12.10.25 - Wharf Chambers - Leeds
- 02.11.25 - The Swinging Arm - Birkenhead
- 13.12.25 - The Station - Ashton-Under-Lyne
Tickets: https://linktr.ee/pbdinnerladies
Art, Religion and Chocolate Biscuits Released 1st August 2025 via 9x9 Records
Preorder - https://www.9x9records.co.uk/shop
Watch The Video For DIY-Spirit-Celebrating Single ‘Art Is Shit’ Out Now