Demo2DeRo: The Handcuffs

November 9, 2008

BY JIM DeROGATIS POP MUSIC CRITIC

Fronted by sultry vocalist Chloe F. Orwell and powered by irrepressible drummer Brad Elvis, the Handcuffs came together several years ago as a duo, forming from the ashes of the local power-pop band Big Hello and drawing on a range of glam and cool pop influences from David Bowie to Blondie to Britpop. The group eventually expanded to become a quartet with the addition of bassist Emily Togni and guitarist-keyboardist-multi-instrumentalist Ellis Clark, and at long last, they're celebrating the follow-up to their debut album "Model for a Revolution" with the release of their new disc "Electroluv."

Hot off a number of shows at the College Music Journal Conference in New York last month and riding the buzz created by the selection of the effervescent new song "Gotta' Problem with Me?" for Margaret Cho's VH1 series, the band is celebrating with a record release show Friday at the Abbey Pub, 420 W. Grace. Turn out to hear the group's new songs live, or sample the band's music on the Web at www.myspace.com/thehandcuffs or www.thehandcuffs.com.