Cardiff based aggro-Glam band, unleash their stunning debut single ‘Cherrytight’ this November, a debut statement from a band that are starting to stand out in the Welsh music scene. Produced by Tom Rees (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard) during the blistering summer of 2019 ‘Cherrytight’ lights the touch paper with thudding baselines, bombastic drums, caustic gyrating guitars and vocals that drip with attitude and sexuality. The track explodes into an insatiable chorus that wraps itself around your heart and won’t let go. Comparisons to the throbbing roar of early Hole, and the rawness of L7 with an outstanding, storming outro. TELGATE have a duty to start riots in 6” platforms. They embody a fierce challenge on societal norms along with music which is unapologetically queer, loud and brutally honest; with ‘Cherrytight’ they make an unmissable introductory offering.

“Cherrytight is a metaphor for the backlash and social reaction to the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. The song is a poetic discussion of how the crisis which grieved the LGBTQ community was twisted to promote fear-mongering of homosexual and bisexual people and laid blame on our community. The lyrics relate to the excessive marginalisation which came from the discriminative reactions that pushed the queer community into the shadows. Amongst the catchy bassline and powerful flange is a protest for those queer lives who died in the shadows and those who are emerging from them today.” 

- Casper James, vocals & lyrics

Working with the artist developers of the Forté Project in 2019, TELGATE have been quickly developing a reputation in South Wales over recent months with a series of riotous shows across the region and the band have now started branching out to shake venues and festivals across the UK. They stand apart from the typical local guitar bands with their dramatic performances, their androgynous and glamourous looks and their incendiary rock and roll sound.  TELGATE’s work takes influences from 60s psychedelic, 1970s glam rock, post-punk of the ‘80s and riot grrrl of the ‘90s. Their music is wrapped in the hungry imaginations and outspoken personas of TELGATE. These androgynous young musicians, each one with a defined sense of style and appreciation of music’s rich tapestry, are here to play with perceptions of gender, sexuality and what music can be. They craft blistering righteous anthems for eccentrics and outcasts. Paint your lips red and prepare to fall in lust with the queerest side of rock and roll.

FFO: Jefferson Airplane, Bikini Kill, Hole, L7

Band members:

Casper James - vocals & lyrics

Chris Norton - guitar

Jay J. Sweeney - bass

Tom Cove - drums

TELGATE perform at Swn Festival this weekend, downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach on the 19th of October at 8.30pm. 

“Cherrytight” is released 22nd November worldwide