It is stated on a Wiki page that "None of the band members were previously in the band Joe Lean & The Jing Jang Jong." A fact that you might be forgiven for thinking possibly since they a) inhabit the same hipster regions of east London b) have links via friendships with members of TOY (who were formerly part of JL&TJJJ). If you want to add an unrelated c) they are being hotly touted by Charlie Boyer & The Voyeurs (an association which led to Telegram's four song radio session last week on Marc Riley's 6 Music show), and d) they are pals with The Horrors, and er, e) they *could* just about to be a name that is soon to be on every tastemaker's lips.
That is, of course, as long as you don't confuse them with the Atlanta Telegram trio, or the LA Telegram. This particular Telegram are a psych-rock quartet from Haggerston , after quietly forming last year, played their debut gig in April this year. Now while it's all well and good having a famous friend to help you get your foot on the ladder, gig on the road or whatever, there's got to be something there that is worthy of the hype. Do Telegram have that special quality that draws punters in through the doors?
The video below of one track, 'Follow', whilst allowing for poor sound quality, would appear to show that they might well have: a band in its early stages that display plenty of energy, some particularly cool moves and a few grooveworthy motorik riffs. A long way perhaps from Roxy Music (a said influence), but not so surprising when two band members, Oli and Matt, are allegedly to have been in a covers band - Proxy Music; neither at times is it hard to spot similarities in some of frontman Matt Saunders' guitar flourishes to those of Tom Dougall.
Having still only played a total number of gigs that you wouldn't even require the fingers of one hand to count up on, now is probably a very good time to catch Telegram in their infancy. And if you should be in London this Thursday (May 30), then Dalston's Servant Jazz Quarters is the place to head for. They play an additional Dalston gig the night after (May 31) at Birthday's.
Telegram are: Matt Saunders - vocals/guitar, Oli Paget Moon - bass, Matt Wood - guitar, Jordan Cook - drums.
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