Mike Shanley's Music Review—eResource Magazine—Pittsburgh PA

TELEFONICS
HIP FLIP COLOURS
(Basement Transmissions)

Erie might not strike anyone as a town with a fertile independent music scene. In fact, on the surface, it makes Pittsburgh look like Austin or San Francisco by comparison. But almost every weekend, the folks on the Basement Transmission email list send out a schedule of bands taking the stage in the few clubs that offer original music. The female-fronted Killerinas and the theatrical Pegasus Unicorn crew are among the acts that regularly tear it up, creating a revolution, whether or not anyone notices. Basement Transmissions also acts as an independent record label that is documenting some of these bands. One of the longest standing acts on the roster is the Telefonics, the band led by vocalist Gina Rullo and guitarist/BT organizer John Johnston.

Telefonics play the type of music that, if they play their cards right, could wind up on the Little Steven's Underground Garage radio show, preceded by glowing commentary from Steven Van Zandt himself. Their music was born in the garage, with raw guitar riffs setting the foundation for the songs. But this isn't an attempt to reenact some bygone version of style of rock. Telefonics play without the self-consciousness of many bands that draw on that same style. Over these catchy riffs, Rullo handles most of the vocals, with a voice that recalls Susanna Hoffs from the period before Top 40 success diluted the Bangles' jangly rock. In other words, she sounds dreamy without getting too treacle or cute. The blend of rawness and pop clearly screams out for more listeners and Hip Flip Colours features a consistent set of songs that serves as a good introduction to the band. "Monster" kicks off the album with a four-chord groove and an infectious sing-a-long chorus. On "California," the band starts kicking up the fuzz as they yearn for the West Coast. Two songs later they go for broke in the rave-up "Hey Hey Hey" where Rullo's voice sounds as distorted as the guitars.

But the band shows some variety too, in one case throwing in some antiquated new wave stylings: "Throat Ailment" could have been written during the mid-'80s what with a beat that sounds like a drum machine and drum kit, layered with synthesized voices. "Recovery Stage Part II" gains added dimension thanks to a three-piece horn section and five additional vocalists. Rullo and Johnston frequently trade vocals back and forth, which works to a good advantage on "Feel Alright" and "Six A.M. and Chocolate." In performances, Telefonics usually like to end with a bang-a trippy, extended one, which often finds Rullo pulling some intergalactic sounds out of her theremin. "Heart Attack" captures that jammy freak-out quality. The group plows away on a riff for 14 minutes, building through an intro, tearing into the song, followed by the guitar solos and theremin washes, before dropping back down before the final blow out. If you're not expecting the time commitment, "Heart Attack" might seem more like an endurance test. But anyone interested in a groovy brain melt will come away feeling satiated.

Maybe there's something in the Lake Erie water, or maybe Telefonics just know how to get things moving in their quiet city. Either way, Hip Flip Colours proves there is rock in Erie.