POP : Television Reruns Its Arty, Minimalist Fare From ‘70s

Since when has watching television required concentration? Since Television--the rock band, that is--returned to recording and touring this year after a 10-year hiatus.

The New York-based quartet, in its Friday performance at the Wadsworth Theatre, pleased a sparse crowd of hard-core fans, despite the typical low-key recalcitrance of the band and wry lyricist-singer Tom Verlaine.

Television’s cerebral, arty, minimalist fare is led by the effects-laden guitar interplay of once-dueling band mates Verlaine and Richard Lloyd--and it’s this element of the band that made the group one of the most influential rock forces to emerge on the post-punk scene of the late ‘70s.

This outing concentrated almost exclusively on material from Television’s 1977 seminal “Marquee Moon” album, and the group’s quirky new self-titled album. Surprises included “Little Johnny Jewel,” the group’s 1975 debut single, and a rendition of an obscure Chocolate Watchband song.

Though this performance made it patently clear that Television’s moody, esoteric, aural soundscapes--which haven’t changed much in a decade--are destined to remain a well-kept secret, the concert also proved that hip urban denizens will remain tuned to Television.