[ATTENDED: March 1, 2024] Teenage Halloween
There were four bands opening for THICK at this show. And I hadn’t heard of any of them before. I listened to a few songs by all of them and thought they all sounded good.
But I didn’t expect to be as impressed by Teenage Halloween as I was. And the crowd was out in full force for them (they reside in Asbury park, it turns out).
The band describes themselves as a Queer power pop ensemble from Jersey/NYC, S/T LP out now!!!
There are four members in the band: Tricia Marshall – bass vocals , Eli Frank – guitar, Peter Gargano – drums , Luk Henderiks – guitar vocals.
Luk seemed to sing more of the songs, but Tricia sang about four or five of the seventeen (!) they played. Turns out the band was originally a solo project for Luk, so I think they get to have the majority of songs. Plus, it turned out that Luk’s mom was in the audience (and might be their manager).
So the 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’s singing style is of the screaming variety–harsh, but not too harsh–and a good sense of melody. And, again, the songs are pop punk and easy to sing along with.
The band spoke to the audience every couple of songs. And about half way through the set Tricia said how excited she was to be playing on this mostly women bill. She then said she’s be singing songs written by a woman (her): Getting Bitter and Say It. A few songs later she sang a really good cover of Pretenders’ Brass in Pocket (dedicated to Luk’s mom). She later said that singing without a bass (Luk played bass for the song) took away the thing she hides behind.
It was really nice having a different singer for these songs to give even more variety to the music.
Throughout the set, the backing vocals (from Tricia and Eli) were great–really giving a lot of power and depth to the songs.
Frank was also a lot of fun, jumping around on stage and making (terrible) jokes throughout the set. I don’t have much to say about drummer Peter because he suited the band perfectly–a good sound and nothing too flashy.
The rest of the set was equally good–the songs were catchy and fun and the crowd was really really into it. I haven’t really had much time to delve into the lyrics, but the ones I’ve heard have been good–pointed and clever.
This was their first show of the calendar year (in March?!), but they have a tour planned in the UK (although Tricia and Kevin won’t be going–no reason given), so their popularity must not be local only.
I would absolutely see them again.
- Good Time ⇔
- Supertrans ⇔
- Takeaway ⇔
- Getting Bitter ⇔
- Say It ⇔
- Clarity Ó
- Sights Down ⇔
- Brass in Pocket (Pretenders cover)
- Doctor ⇔
- Lights Out ⇔
- Melodrama ⇔
- Oh The Drama ⇔
- Burn €
- Travelin’ On ⇔
- Holes Ó
- Stationary Ó
- Armageddon Now ⇔
⇔ Til You Return (2023)
€ The Homeless Gospel Choir/Teenage Halloween split EP (2022)
Ó Teenage Halloween (2020)
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So I didn’t know Rx Bandits at all. When they started this tour last year (and played Philly), I skipped it even though I wanted to see Zeta.
