Live Review of Telefonics at Docksider playing a benefit for the Great Lakes Film Festival
with the Johnson's Big Band (from Pittsburgh)

Tonight's event at the Docksider was billed as "Movie/Music Vol.1" and was sponsored by the Great Lakes Film Festival. This was the first in a series of fundraising events for this year's film festival, and several independent short films were interspersed between the musical guests.

First up to play were Telefonics, who always put on a good show at this venue. For those of you living in a cave for the past couple of years Telefonics are comprised of Gina Rullo on vocals & Theremin, John Johnston on guitars & vocals, Matt Thompson on keyboards & vocals, Pete Burke on guitars, Kevin Manco on bass and Erik Mildner on drums.

One of the more interesting highlights of the band's set occurred during the second to the last tune, which was a very long, jam oriented groove. At one point John Johnston and Kevin Manco both took a leap into the air and collided, which knocked both to the floor. Apparently they decided to go with the flow and both remained on the floor facing their amps as they continued to pump out the music. In a few moments Pete Burke got down in front of his amp and began to coax dissonant feedback from his rig.

By this time Johnston was grabbing objects to bow, pluck and generally flail his guitar with. Meanwhile Gina Rullo and Matt Thompson (the only two members left standing), cranked out waves of noise on Theremin and keyboard respectively. Eventually the guitarists got back on their feet, but bassist Manco finished the song in the odd position of lying on his back with his feet in the air.