I love me some Cuffs, and I’m not afraid to let the world know: I’ve written about their first two singles (both released by Boston’s Ride the Snake in the last year or two) for Cake Time and the Hassle, and look forward to the third installment in their series of 45s with unbridled anticipation. Cuffs seem cut from the same cloth as the legendary underground pop acts songwriter Andrew Churchman and drummer Casey Keenan (also of Reports and Major Stars) shared the Slumberland record label with in their former band, Pants Yell. Now, though, teamed up with second guitarist Martin Pavlinic (also of Reports) and bassist Joe Mahoney, the pair are moving towards a more rough-and-tumble brand of indie rock. Churchman’s vocals remain matter-of-fact at times, and borderline plaintive at others; an approach that served him well through his former band’s releases. In Cuffs, with the rhythm section glued together and strong, wiry, single-picked guitar winding its way through the songs, the conviction in his voice is underscored in a way that recalls the noise-laced hooks of the Pastels and Vaselines and the bent leads of early Built to Spill.

HOMEGROWN 4: BOSTON HASSLE FEST is happening on November 2nd and 3rd @ the Cambridge Elks Lodge @ 55 Bishop Allen Drive, Central Sq., Cambridge, MA.
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Video by Mike Gintz