The Telescreen at the Garage

Mischievous front man Frankie Cocozza – best known for his turbulent stint on the X-Factor – is back in the spotlight heading up new five- piece The Telescreen. The Garage is the fourth stop on the band’s UK tour as they raise money to release their debut album next year.

Surprisingly, the arrogant bravado Cocozza is famed and often ridiculed for is entirely absent as the band make a tentative entrance on stage. It’s a confused concert, full of technical difficulties and false starts. With no decided setlist there’s chaotic fumbling over which song to play next, and Cocozza is frequently forced to stop due to singing the wrong words. Given the poor reception of Cocozza’s past single She’s Got a Motorcycle, his trepidation at releasing new material to the public is understandable.

The band plays well together, their arrangements secure and tight. It’s a sound full of heavy guitars and bass riffs, laden with reverb and crashing cymbals. The songs, particularly Kids and Lad of the Day, have a decidedly indie feel which suits Cocozza’s husky vocal. The drums, from Mark Day, are exceptionally precise, driving the tracks through intricate rhythms that give a powerful energy when the pace slackens and the lead vocal falters.

The murky guitar and high concentration of reverb does cause the songs to blend together with little differentiation between tracks, whilst the indie sound feels dated, harkening back to genre’s heydays in the late noughties. Step Back is the track which really shines, offering a jaunty 50s style guitar solo and booming, ambient drums. The final song Embrace gains the biggest reaction from the young and largely female audience who gaze at Cocozza adoringly, offering him their hands in full-blown admiration.

Despite some catchy choruses and persuasive beats, overall The Telescreen’s sound is dull and outdated, lacking the musical innovation needed to carve a name for oneself in the alternative rock scene today. Perhaps with more experience and greater utilisation of their obvious musical talent, particularly in the case of the drummer and lead guitarist, The Telescreen will go on to produce a fresher sound.

Alexandra Sims
Photos: Alejo Garcia

For further information and future events visit The Telescreen’s website here.

Watch a preview from The Telescreen’s forthcoming album here: