Despite having 10 members whose ages range from 16 to 23, Teenage Halloween knows exactly the kind of music they want to play. The Asbury Park-based band takes cues from artists like Jeff Rosenstock, Elvis Costello, Defiance Ohio, and blink-182 to stir up an energetic blend of power-pop, folk, and punk . Although featuring a unique combination of instruments for a punk album like banjo, trombone, and saxophone, their latest EP It Was Weird, But It Worked never feels forced or gimmicky. Opening track “Waitress” is a brief song that calls to mind modern punk acts like Joyce Manor, while “Tiki Party” references the folk punk sound of fellow Jersey natives The Gaslight Anthem and Philly punk act The Menzingers. This summer Teenage Halloween will be playing several shows in New Jersey, the first one of which will be at Long Branch’s Brighton Bar. – John Honan
