[DID NOT ATTEND: September 18, 2026] Pansy Division / Teenage Halloween / Hot Seat
Three years ago, Pansy Division played Johnny Brenda’s but I was too busy to check them out.
When Pansy Division first appeared in the late 1990s, I was hugely supportive. I loved that they were out and proud. They introduced me to a whole subculture that I wasn’t aware of and which I am still really supportive of. It almost seemed like it wasn’t much of a subculture anymore until Florida got their hands on it. But whatever. Evidently the world still needs Pansy Division.
There have been gay musicians hidden throughout rock music history, but when Pansy Division began in 1991 in San Francisco, they were the first to be so boldly open about it. Founded by guitarist/singer Jon Ginoli and soon joined by bassist/singer Chris Freeman, with the intent of forming a gay rock band, Pansy Division blew the closet doors open. Raised on a diet of 60s pop and 70s punk, their sound was suitably crunchy and catchy as hell. They wrote in-your-face lyrics, but did it with a sense of humor. Not only did their music and stance defy stereotypic norms of rock musicians being openly gay, they also broke gay cultural stereotypes that rock wouldn’t interest gay people.
So glad they’re still loud and proud.
I saw Teenage Halloween open for THICK a while back and thought they were great. The Asbury Park band plays short blasts of catchy emo songs–lots of punk feelings (their bio says)
At the heart of vocalist and guitarist Luk Henderiks’ lyrics is an urgent longing for community. Despite their often strikingly personal vulnerability, these songs reach out to the wider world, striving to hold themselves and those around them accountable for their actions and to make space for those that need to be heard.
and occasionally fantastic guitar solos (Eli Frank is a total shredder, but doesn’t overuse that skill). Luk seemed to sing more of the songs, but Tricia Marshall (bass) sang about four or five of the seventeen (!) they played. I would absolutely see them again.
They played with Wax Jaw a month ago but I couldn’t make that show either. Crazy that I could have seen them twice in a month at different venues with different openers.
Hot Seat is a Philly band that I hadn’t heard of. Their blurb says
Punchy guitar and bass riffs, fast as hell drums , and witty vocals make up this Philadelphia four piece punk band. Inspired by The The Distillers, The Muffs, Lunachicks and L7, Hot Seat wants everyone to SCREAM.
And I’d say that’s pretty accurate. They are, without a doubt, a fun live band.
Another fun night in Philly.
