Zip-Tie Handcuffs

Boston’s annual Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble has been going strong since 1979, but this year shook things up. The 2015 edition saw TT The Bear’s Place open its doors for eight nights to host 24 competing bands once again, letting the room flood with every facet of rock possible, from experimental to folk. Amidst all this, one thing became clear: The youth are ready to be taken seriously. On Friday night last week, one of the bands fighting to overcome the kids finally wound up standing tall as the victor. All rise for local rock trio Zip-Tie Handcuffs.

Zip-Tie Handcuffs are exactly who should come to mind when you think of a rock contest. They throw down punk rock riffs in the same vein as Diarrhea Planet, minus the jukebox range of fake intros, all held together by drummer Max Levy’s ridiculously tight, fierce, deafening style. It’s hard to believe a sound that loud comes from a mere three people. Bassist Ian Grinold and guitarist Matt Ford were standing on invisible lava the night they won, shifting their feet and darting about the stage in a frenzy. Veins sprung from their necks as they sang, the two spitting out words with the same goofy spirit of the Beastie Boys, lightening the mood even further by throwing their instruments across the stage to one another to swap parts. - Dig! Boston

Whoever put this bill together knew what they were doing, as locals Zip Tie Handcuffs was another perfectly fitting piece to the overall picture. And hey, another trio! These guys obviously have some records by Thee Oh Sees in their collection, as well as classic oil-stained garage bands such as The Sonics and The Cramps. With all three members singing it was a full sound, and they ripped through a strong collection of songs that were still buzzing in the air after they left the stage. - Dig! Boston

Hard rock often works best when it teeters on the edge of falling apart, something Zip-Tie Handcuffs had down to a science on their way to winning the 2015 Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble. Guitarist/singer Matt Ford sums it up by relaying a conversation with soundman Alec Rodriguez, who co-produced the trio’s fourth album, Sundream.

“He was telling me that mixing us is like driving a Camaro at top speed,” Ford says. “I like that feeling, on the verge of going too fast but keeping it on the rails.”

Ford, bassist/singer Ian Grinold and drummer/singer Max Levy have logged plenty of time on their high-performance engine. New Hampshire native Ford and the Connecticut-bred Grinold met at the New England Institute of Art in Brookline, forming the band in 2007. The Vermont-raised Levy joined a year later. And their ragged, joyous combustion can remind one of Nirvana when that band rode the rails.

“We’re definitely influenced by a lot of three-piece bands,” says Ford, citing the Jimi Hendrix Experience along with Green Day and Nirvana. One quality that sets Zip-Tie Handcuffs apart, however, is the trio’s shifting, punctuating vocals. “We mix a lot of heavy music with pop music. We love the attitude and aggression of punk rock, but we also love the poppy sensibilities of the Beatles and the Beach Boys. Our vocals [attract] people who are not usually into punk.”

Zip-Tie Handcuffs are writing a fifth album to record this fall and also planning a live release, a once-vital but now-rare rock artifact. “I personally love live albums, like the MC5’s debut,” Ford says. “You can hear the energy leaving the speakers.” - Improper Bostonian

Zip-Tie Handcuffs accented their punk side in rightly winning the 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble at T.T the Bear’s Place on Friday. The power trio narrowly edged out Nemes – an Americana-shaded band delivering its own genre-smashing energy flavored by fiddler Dave Anthony – and the Static Dynamic, its bombastic enthusiasm topped by flame-haired vocalist Jess Collins.

On the surface, Zie-Tie Handcuffs evoked Nirvana with shambolic combustion, navigating tight changes with oddly punctual harmonies just when its loud, bass-heavy songs were about to fall apart. Bassist Ian Grinold (pictured) and guitarist Matt Ford even tossed/swapped their instruments for one equally effective song and later added a cover of “Rain,” a Beatles surprise coincidently played on occasion by Boston avant-punks Mission of Burma (though Burma didn’t throw in that hardcore-tempo shift in the middle).

Grinold accepted a sparkly winners’ crown adorned with antlers and feathers on a champagne-sprayed stage after a guest set by the Gravel Pit. The annual Rumble, coordinated by WZLX “Boston Emissions” host Anngelle Wood, began with 24 of the area’s best bands. - Improper Bostonian

I’m the guy who soils himself when faced with the zombie apocalypse. Not Zip-Tie. When confronted with chaos I fall apart; Zip-Tie comes together as they fall apart. Counter intuitive? Yes, everything about this trio is counter intuitive. These boys do three-part harmonies over stentorian volume and snap-your-neck speed. They win because they rock. Simple. And complex. Yes, yes, counter intuitive again and again... Bonus points: Bassist Ian Grinold is as good a guitarist as Matt Ford. What? No? Maybe? The two swapped instruments for a song and suddenly Grinold shreds and Ford booms out the low end? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria! - Boston Herald

Week one is done. Tonight got serious at the Rock 'n' Roll Rumble. And Zip-Tie Handcuffs took it at T.T. the Bear's.

When an alien comes to me and says, “I plan on destroying this planet, but I’m curious about your race’s one redeeming creation. Show me this rock and roll.” I take that little green Martian to see Zip-Tie Handcuffs. Dudes, I just saved Earth. Funny story, if another alien asked me about punk, if another asked me about metal, or another needed to know joy or chaos or freaks or fun or guitar or three-part harmonies. I take all those E.T.s to see Zip-Tie. And we are saved. Don’t thank me or buy me a drink. Save that love for Zip-Tie. - Boston Herald

Friday night. Zip-Tie Handcuffs night.

They won over a rich lineup of bands at Rock ‘n’ Roll Rumble at T.T. the Bear's..

This is art. There is no better or worse. There just isn’t. But if there was, Matt Ford of Zip-Tie Handcuffs might be the best guitarist in the Rumble. How do you play a ska upstroke that doubles as a speed metal riff? I don’t know, but he does. Genres can be a helpful shorthand. Not with Zip-Tie. What was that? Aleister Crowley love-in grooves for the indie rock and basement hardcore crowds? Sure. But songs matter most and these had hooks and arcs. Like a surfer to another rider who missed Big Wednesday… you should have been there yesterday. Bonus points: Hey Max Levy, way to Keith Moon the hell out of that kit; three part harmonies that break like dawn in that chaos. - Boston Herald

At The Middle East was a show put on by Illegally Blind and they tend to have interesting groups. Zip Tie Handcuffs was in the lineup. I can see why they won the Rumble this year - they are exciting. One huge plus is the drummer; he's a madman. He sounds like he has a Keith Moon sized drum set when in fact he just has a few drums. He flails his arms in a whirlwind and puts out a thundering rumble. Also, the bass player is a busy player and between the two it sounds like subway cars running through your head. The songs are in the three minute range. One of their signature moves is to sing in a falsetto in the choruses- all three band members simultaneously. Last time I heard that was - never. It's such a daring move; it can't stop thinking of it. Genius! They had a lot of other interesting tricks to vary things up. They know what they're doing. I really want to catch these guys again. Other bands in the line up that night were Kal Marks, The Midriffs and the headliners Meatbodies, who are from LA and are getting attention from Pitchfork. - Boston Groupie News

Posted on December 1, 2014 in Music, Reviews // 0 Comments
By Kieran Webber


Zip-Tie Handcuffs 5th release is a complete belter of a punk rock album from beginning to end it is a high-octane thrash adventure. The opening song ‘Mugwort’ sets the high-speed tone for the album with an insanely catchy riff a pace that is through the whole album, the amount of energy that the band has harnessed is incredibly impressive. Through the album there is very little time to stop and think about what you are hearing the album explodes with energy and then ceases to exist, it is at this point I had time to gather my thoughts after being invaded by their music. The only thing I could muster after this tirade was “Holy Fuck”, that one phrase essentially sums the album up.

The only break the band allows is in the opening of ‘Moon Tune’ but just as you start to relax BAM! the song ignites into a complete attack, the attacker being Matt Ford and his guitar. The best element of the album and probably the band as a whole is that they are clearly having so much fun and this feeling elevates itself on the listener, so much music today feels so formulated and pre packaged. This feeling of fun through the album creates an atmosphere of “Fuck yeah” they are having fun playing this and you should be having a just as good time listening, well they have managed to create such an atmosphere.

‘Sundream’ is a truly fantastic album and at its core the perfect punk album, with only one track longer than 2 minutes the album is punchy, heavy and catchy. The one song that does extend past 2 minutes is ‘The Desert’ of which is a complete face melter. Zip-Tie Handcuffs have produced an album that is easy to put on and contains all your favourite elements of Lo-Fi, Punk, Rock and Thrash into one punchy bundle. - Ponsharden Collective

When the three members of Zip-Tie Handcuffs are asked to define what stoner punk is, they provide three different answers. Guitarist Matt Ford says it “makes you zone out and think at the same time,” while drummer Max Levy talks about changing tempos and three-part harmonies drenched in reverb. Then bassist Ian Grinold offers his take.

“To me, it’s getting those fucking awesome repetitive sludgy riffs that you hear at the most fuzziest of tones that just make you want to get really fucking baked and fall into the riff forever, and then slam it, head-on collision, with the speed, intensity, and ferocity of the punk rock sound. When those come together, the coolest shit happens. Some galactic thing like when two planets or two suns collide. It’s like, fuck.”

Granted, that sounds a bit stoner-ish in itself, but that’s just the way Grinold talks; during a Tuesday night practice session at the Museum of Sound in Cambridge, he’s brimming with genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity to explore music in a band with two of his best friends. When discussing the inclusion of “Moon Tune,” a slower, calmer cut that Ford wasn’t sure would fit the band’s aesthetic, on the band’s recently released fourth LP, Sundream, Grinold notes how quickly he and Levy claimed it as their own. “That’s part of the reason why this band rules,” he blurts out, grinning.

Before they started trudging through those sludgy riffs, the trio, formed after the members met as audio engineering students at the New England Institute of Art, was a more traditional punk outfit. Ford wrote the song “Scum of the Earth,” and had so much fun doing it he decided to make a band around it. Zip-Tie Handcuffs’ 2009 debut weedpunkNtea, recorded and mixed over a furious two-day session at New Alliance Studios, fit the familiar format of quick, blistering attacks of raw thrashing.

But each subsequent release provided more room for experimentation and evolution: Sophomore album Heavy Love Child found heavier stoner sounds creeping in (think: Torch, The Melvins), while Sundream takes things further. The influence of band favorite Ty Segall’s lo-fi garage rock flows through “Psychotic Dance,” while “The Desert” and the aforementioned “Moon Tune” draw inspiration from navel-gazing in nature.

“I feel like we’re all kind of genuinely amazed by the universe all the time,” says Ford. “‘Moon Tune’ is about a time when I was camping when I was 13 staring at the moon, just being amazed by it.”

The track best exemplifies what Grinold’s talking about: Just as the song has lulled into a lush pastoral vibe, it runs headfirst into a punk buzzsaw of sharp guitars and drums. As he says, it’s like, fuck.

“That’s also part of the stoner punk thing,” adds Levy, “It’s about getting baked and thinking about the universe and space and writing tunes that sort of try to capture that mind-blown feeling some way in the music.” - Dig! Boston

This is just an excellent band name. You know that when the cops run out of handcuffs and resort to the device that shares its name with today’s featured band, things have gotten wild. We’re guessing things might get wild at the Midway Cafe tomorrow night, when Tired Old Bones, The Acro-brats and Tenafly Vipers take the stage with today’s featured artist: Zip-Tie Handcuffs? Here’s hoping no one gets apprehended or tazed (bro), but expect a riot nonetheless.

When you listen to a lot - and I mean a lot - of local music, you start to know what certain names mean in the liner notes. When something is Mastered By Nick Zampiello, you can rest assured that it is going to kick you. Hard. Mr. Zampiello has a complicated mastering process wherein he must pour a can of gas onto the track and then light it on fire.

“Zombies” by Zip-Tie Handcuffs is no different. The guitars thunder. The drums smash and crash. The gang vocals call out strongly, loudly and with a huge helpin’ of attitude. Basically speaking, this song is like a gang war. Salvos of chain, tire irons and tridents all sail overhead, while the fists fly down below.

The majority of the violence happens in the musical interludes, whereas the organization happens in the choruses - where the gang vocals rise up together as, well, a gang. For all the blood and thunder and brass-knuckle fists that fly through the track, there are actual vocal harmonies in these choruses - so strong that they are able to stand on their own, sans accompaniment. You leave this song feeling like you were in a fight - but you were probably on the winning side of the fight, so that is always good.
- Boston Band Crush

Big Head Small Hands by Zip-Tie Handcuffs selected as track of the week on playgroundboston.com! - Playground Boston

When I first heard about the St. Patrick's day show at the Yellow House I knew it was going to be one of greatest events of the year. A great line-up, a great venue, a great holiday. What more can you ask for?

The first time I went to the Yellow house I was blown away with how great of a venue it was. It might just be a basement in Allston, MA. But it's a basement with a full bar, a decent sized stage, and a beer pong room only a step away from the band.

The show was billed with two bands, The Allston Pants, and Zip-Tie Handcuffs. The Allston Pants started the show right with a great mix of hilarious songs about "scenester fucks" and covers like Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff" (as a joke people, a joke) a great set that put everyone in the room in a happy mood.

Zip-Tie Handcuffs took the stage at about 10:00 pm, with about an hours worth of celebrating in their systems. Within the first 3 minutes people were moving and dancing to the semi-violating but glorious sounds of Zip-Tie Handcuffs. Including covers by Boston's own the Dropkick Murphy's, and a great rendition of the Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots part 1." After about 40 minutes the band closed with "Un-Employed" their blistering minute and a half song about the life of the non-working man.

Over all it was a fantastic night of Guinness, Punk Rock, and Beer. Everyone, left with a smile on their face. Punk Rock is back in Boston, and it's basements like this one that are keeping the flame going.

-Ty Taylor - The Hard Truth

When I first heard about the St. Patrick's day show at the Yellow House I knew it was going to be one of greatest events of the year. A great line-up, a great venue, a great holiday. What more can you ask for?

The first time I went to the Yellow house I was blown away with how great of a venue it was. It might just be a basement in Allston, MA. But it's a basement with a full bar, a decent sized stage, and a beer pong room only a step away from the band.

The show was billed with two bands, The Allston Pants, and Zip-Tie Handcuffs. The Allston Pants started the show right with a great mix of hilarious songs about "scenester fucks" and covers like Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff" (as a joke people, a joke) a great set that put everyone in the room in a happy mood.

Zip-Tie Handcuffs took the stage at about 10:00 pm, with about an hours worth of celebrating in their systems. Within the first 3 minutes people were moving and dancing to the semi-violating but glorious sounds of Zip-Tie Handcuffs. Including covers by Boston's own the Dropkick Murphy's, and a great rendition of the Flaming Lips "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots part 1." After about 40 minutes the band closed with "Un-Employed" their blistering minute and a half song about the life of the non-working man.

Over all it was a fantastic night of Guinness, Punk Rock, and Beer. Everyone, left with a smile on their face. Punk Rock is back in Boston, and it's basements like this one that are keeping the flame going.

-Ty Taylor - The Hard Truth

Born from the grimy underground of Allston, MA, Zip-Tie Handcuffs have been tearing up the scene without mercy. At their shows you can't help but to let go and thrash around. I am no stranger to uncontrollable dancing in the circle pit summoned by Zip-Tie Handcuff's heavy riffs and powerful vocals.

In spring 2010, Zip-Tie released their second full length album, Heavy Love Child. This album has become the new soundtrack for the war against the world's bullshit and monsters. The tracks Propaganda, Corporate Scum, and What Bitch? makes me want to find some white collared bureaucrat and pop him in the mouth. Zip-Tie's story telling abilities definitely come out in full force on the tracks Shark Attack, Dracula, and Zombies!!! You can close your eyes and picture yourself in some crazy horror film. I almost gave myself whiplash while listening to Hadda Cadda. For an extra treat, the band threw in a cover of the Yardbirds song, For Your Love, which helps lighten the mood a bit.

What makes Heavy Love Child such a good album is that it is fun and it brings out your inner emotions. You want to dance around and take on anything that is just plain wrong. That is true punk rock.

Go to ziptiehandcuffs.bandcamp.com to get yourself a copy of Heavy Love Child. - SHAKEFIST MAGAZINE

Big Head Small Hands by Zip-Tie Handcuffs selected as track of the week on playgroundboston.com! - Playground Boston

"First band up was Zip-Tie Handcuffs. They're a trio who sound kind of like a thrashy version of the Minutemen (des c r i p tion courtesy of Duncan Wilder Johnson) and trade off instruments, i.e. guitar player switches to bass, bass player switches to guitar, drummer switches to flugelhorn. Well, the flugelhorn part is a total lie, but the drummer is excellent, like Dave Grohl's younger brother." - StonerRock.com

"First band up was Zip-Tie Handcuffs. They're a trio who sound kind of like a thrashy version of the Minutemen (des c r i p tion courtesy of Duncan Wilder Johnson) and trade off instruments, i.e. guitar player switches to bass, bass player switches to guitar, drummer switches to flugelhorn. Well, the flugelhorn part is a total lie, but the drummer is excellent, like Dave Grohl's younger brother." - StonerRock.com

"Wild punk sound thats different to the other bands, would get you right away up and moshing all around. It's a supernatural force would take control of all your body." -RJ Frometa - Vents Magazine

Its about time to find out just what exactly “stoner punk” is and Zip-Tie Handcuffs are here to help us.

In their case, stoner part of the equation doesn’t make much sense – they certainly don’t sound anything like Sleep, Fu Manchu or Kyuss (or any of Sabbath-worshippers, for that matter), although there’s a slight metallic flavor to their music. The “punk” part, however, is correct – Z-TH list Black Flag and Bad Brains as an influence, but to these ears it sounds like their biggest influence is Descendents.

“Love Child” attempts to turn back the clock and prevent Milo from going to college and buying a suburban home. Instead, the band hands him a hammer and begs him to smash anything to bits – and he proceeds to destroy numerous things – from zombies and sharks to corporate scum.

Then there’s other stuff (presumably recorded while Milo was asleep) – “What, B?”, a Suicidal Tendencies spoof of sorts, heavier tracks like “Corporate Scum” and “Shark Attack” and a cover of Yardbirds classic “For Your Love”.

For all of its perceived quirkiness, “Heavy Love Child” is a fun record with plenty of attitude and some serious musical chops on display. - I Heart Noise Blog

Its about time to find out just what exactly “stoner punk” is and Zip-Tie Handcuffs are here to help us.

In their case, stoner part of the equation doesn’t make much sense – they certainly don’t sound anything like Sleep, Fu Manchu or Kyuss (or any of Sabbath-worshippers, for that matter), although there’s a slight metallic flavor to their music. The “punk” part, however, is correct – Z-TH list Black Flag and Bad Brains as an influence, but to these ears it sounds like their biggest influence is Descendents.

“Love Child” attempts to turn back the clock and prevent Milo from going to college and buying a suburban home. Instead, the band hands him a hammer and begs him to smash anything to bits – and he proceeds to destroy numerous things – from zombies and sharks to corporate scum.

Then there’s other stuff (presumably recorded while Milo was asleep) – “What, B?”, a Suicidal Tendencies spoof of sorts, heavier tracks like “Corporate Scum” and “Shark Attack” and a cover of Yardbirds classic “For Your Love”.

For all of its perceived quirkiness, “Heavy Love Child” is a fun record with plenty of attitude and some serious musical chops on display. - I Heart Noise Blog