Maneka, Teenage Halloween, Oceanator @ Trans-Pecos

by Ellen Qbertplaya | Aug 10, 2021 | Shows

Oceanator at Trans-Pecos (photo by Ellen Qbertplaya)

Teenage Halloween at Trans-Pecos (photo by Ellen Qbertplaya)

Maneka at Trans-Pecos (photo by Ellen Qbertplaya)

This past Saturday, the Ridgewood, Queens, venue Trans-Pecos served as the setting for a stacked lineup of Oceanator, Teenage Halloween, and Maneka. The show was originally supposed to happen at the City Reliquary in Williamsburg, but for reasons unknown to me, the event was relocated a few days before. Proof of Covid vaccination or of a recent negative test had to be shown prior to entry, but once inside, the venue proved to be a well-ventilated, comfortable setting, with many people retreating to the spacious backyard for fresh air in between sets.

Elise Okusami, who performs as Oceanator, led off the evening with a solo set. She released a great album last year – Things I Never Said on Polyvinyl, and was in the midst of a weekend full of gigs in New York. Her set included a nice cover of Elliott Smith’s “Say Yes.”

Next up was New Jersey power pop band Teenage Halloween, whose music I admit I had little knowledge of before Saturday, but by the end of their set, I was a fan. With vocals by lead singer/rhythm guitarist Luk Henderiks, lead guitar antics by Eli Frank, bass by Tricia Marshall, and drums by Peter Gargano, the band played a very spirited set that had me and the crowd bouncing from start to finish.

Rounding out the bunch was Devin McKnight’s project, Maneka. Joining him were Nicola Leel on bass, Jordyn Blakely on drums, and Elise Okusami from earlier in the evening on additional guitar and keyboard. McKnight sardonically described his music as a bunch of songs which were never going to be released. The group also did a blistering cover of Nirvana’s “Breed.”

Scroll down for pics of the show including set lists from Teenage Halloween and Maneka (photos by Ellen Qbertplaya).