Hooked on Telefonics -- Interview with Scene and Heard Zine

Toronto's first snowstorm, and the Telefonics hit on the city on the same night

By Sam Toman

Last Saturday two things descended upon Toronto. One came from above in the form of Toronto's first snowfall; the other came from below - south of the border - in the form of Pennsylvania pop act Telefonics.

Telefonics treated the crowd at Sneaky Dee's to a fantastic, but much too short 30 minute set. The five-piece band combined rock guitar, groove bass lines and churning keyboards to catch the attention of even the most cynical hipsters in the crowd.

Most of the songs were upbeat and fun, with the occasional sample and the not so occasional twirl of electronic effects. The majority of the vocals were provided by husband and wife team John Johnston (guitar) and Gina Rullo (mini-effects computer), but pretty much everyone in the band chipped in at one point or another. It really seemed like a bunch of friends on stage playing together, which is just what they are.

The band formed in Erie, Pa. - not exactly a musical Xanadu, but as John tells it the band came together fairly naturally because in a place like Erie, "if you both have the same musical interests you're bound to bump into each other."

Bump into each other they did… the only problem was they suffered from band-disease: everyone was a guitar player. Luckily it doesn't show. No instrument overpowers another as they make the transition from atmospheric sample laden groove to guitar fuelled crunchy rock-out.

The crowd seemed to appreciate it, with toe tapping and head-bobbing aplenty. It was a welcome change for the band that has a healthy contempt for the music scene in their native land. With little to no indie scene in Pennsylvania, and a counter culture they describe as "angry", coming and playing in Canada is a treat.

"In Erie, if you get 100 people out to a show that's a success," says John, who commends the Toronto music scene for having, "a real collective thing going on. You're spoiled being in Toronto. Try hanging out in Buffalo and tell me what you think."

They even prefer Canada's homeless. One homeless man in particular made an impression when, instead of asking for change, offered to carry their equipment, then wished them "good luck" on their show.

Of course, like any small band, music alone doesn't pay the bills. And to avoid becoming homeless themselves, all of the members have day jobs back in the States. They're pretty much just making music for the fun of it.

"We're not sitting around wanting people to like us," says Erik Mildner, the band's drummer.

Luckily people seem to like them anyway.