The Handcuffs embody the spirit of rock music's uninhibited, sexy and overbearing appeal. A perfect blend of style and energy. They do not sound like anyone else, but at the same time they seem very familiar. They are influenced by everything good that sells and anything good that doesn't.
Chloe F. Orwell, the designated blonde, is the lead singer whose stage presence and vocal stylings ooze sex and scorch and rock and roll. She can slide from a corduroy growl to a shimmering silky sigh in a Detroit second.
Brad Elvis is a black-haired, four-handed drummer whose manic-panic style paints a 747 jet rhythm to every song. Brad is also the chief songwriter, although Chloe is known to have a song or two stashed in her boots.
The Chicago-based pair originally teamed up several years ago when Brad recruited Chloe as lead vocalist and contributing songwriter for his band Big Hello, which released three critically acclaimed CDs and played hundreds of shows. Their potent creative chemistry quickly earned the duo a worldwide fan base plus accolades in mainstream and alternative publications throughout the world, including the Los Angeles Times, LA Weekly, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Columbus Dispatch, The Big Takeover, Punk Planet, Amplifier, Sound Affects (Sweden), Jem (Japan), Mojo (U.K), Bucketfull of Brains (U.K.) and countless others.
The Handcuffs evolved from Brad and Chloe's desire to explore a broader sonic territory, while still believing in the power of a great radio hook. Their influences range from Sparks to Bowie, Eno to Beck, PJ Harvey to Iggy Pop, Zeppelin to Queens of the Stone Age, with some Blur, Blondie and Bacharach tossed in for good measure. Their songs are fresh yet timeless; edgy yet accessible, skillfully crafted yet easily memorable.
The duo started out making boombox demos with Chloe on guitar or bass and Brad often singing the lead vocals and keeping time on a cardboard box or whatever was handy. Proper studio sessions, with the help of additional guest instrumentalists, followed and The Handcuffs recorded more than three albums worth of material with engineer/producer Mike Hagler (Neko Case, Wilco, the Pulsars, the Mekons). Then came song placement in hit television shows and films, followed by a self-produced music video (with more on the way), all of which seemed to help get the buzz in motion - not only in Chicago, but in other parts of the country, as well. With plans to release their debut CD, "Model for a Revolution," they finally decided to put a live band together.
To complete their line-up, Brad and Chloe have welcomed two powerhouse musicians to help them deliver the rock. Enter bassist Emily Togni, a Tennessee-by-way-of-Arkansas native, who earned her stripes with Chicago's recently disbanded but highly regarded Rockit Girl, and our most recent addition Ellis Clark (from the acclaimed Chicago-based band Epicycle) on guitar and keyboards. Both contribute to the mix with spot on backing vocals (and a musical open-mindedness that is vital to The Handcuffs sound and vision).
Prolific writers and producers, The Handcuffs have officially released two albums, recorded with Mike Hagler (Wilco, the Pulsars, Neko Case, the Mekons) at Kingsize Sound in Chicago, with many more tracks waiting in the wings. Songs from the debut CD "Model for a Revolution" and their follow-up "Electroluv," (in addition to many unreleased tracks) have been placed in numerous films and television shows, including "Gossip Girl," MTV's "The Hills," "Laguna Beach," "Parental Control," "Pimp My Ride," and "Next;" in Margaret Cho's show ("The Cho Show") and "Free Radio" on VH1; and in feature films and more TV shows on MTV, A&E, E!, VH1, the CW, Showtime and PBS. The Handcuffs are also featured on the soundtrack of the Sundance and SXSW award winning documentary The Education of Shelby Knox by New York production house and champions of free thinking Incite Pictures.
The Handcuffs have been receiving airplay on dozens of college, commercial, satellite and internet radio stations throughout the world, including KROQ (Los Angeles), InterFM 76.1 (Tokyo), WXPN (Philadelphia), M3 Radio (New York City), Onda Madrid (Spain), WLUW (Chicago), considered to be one of the most innovative community stations in the country) and many more. The band also performed at CMJ in New York City this past year where they debuted songs from their most recent album.
The Handcuffs' goals for the future: keep writing, keep recording, keep evolving..
Praise for The Handcuffs:
Music Editors' Review at download.com:
"Chicago lounge perverts the Handcuffs bring a slinky sensibility to the musty garage genre. If Portishead were raised on a diet of Count Chocula and JG Ballard novels, they would probably sound like this. Conversely, if Blondie were weaned on Portishead, the results would be similar. Either way, the Handcuffs keep it smooth and deviant."
From Tim Cain, Entertainment Editor at the Herald & Review:
"The Handcuffs feature Brad Elvis, the coolest, showiest drummer you're ever going to see, and the gorgeous Chloe F. Orwell, whose voice will remind you of everyone while being unique to itself as well. There were a couple of times listening to the disc that I found myself laughing out loud with delight at what they were doing, and thinking, 'How is it possible that these guys can write SO MANY GOOD SONGS?' If I made my year-end list right now, this would be No. 3."
For more information, more sound clips, videos, photos and a whole bunch of crap, visit The Handcuffs on line at: www.thehandcuffs.com
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