With comparisons to 90’s bands like Sonic Youth and The Pixies to modern day English acts like Wolf Alice and IDLES, it’s no wonder why the LA based quartet, CUFFED UP, have been turning heads since their debut double A-side was released at the end of 2019. The band garnered much support as an unsigned act first of all from KEXP (Song of The Day/Music That Matters), and subsequently from the likes of NME, DIY Magazine and The Line Of Best Fit.  

After an opening run supporting Silversun Pickups in 2020, the band released their self-titled debut EP through Hassle Records (UK) and Corduroy Records (US) where the lead singles “French Exit” + “Small Town Kid” garnered much acclaim from legendary UK tastemakers like Steve Lamacq (BBC Radio 6), Daniel P Carter (BBC Radio 1) + John Kennedy (Radio X).  

The band returned in 2021 with the brand new EP "Asymmetry" produced by Brad Wood (Smashing Pumpkins, Touche Amore, Liz Phair) and released through Royal Mountain Records (Alvvays, METZ, Wild Pink). The new singles "Bonnie" and "Canaries"  have gained support from radio stations all across the US including KCRW + KEXP along with a subsequent KEXP Session in Dec 2021.

Cuffed Up started in 2018 when songwriter/guitarist Ralph Torrefranca was inspired by the post-punk scene coming out of the UK with bands like IDLES, Fontaines DC and Shame. Sooner after he recruited his long time drummer Joe Liptock to work on a batch of songs for the new project. By the end of 2018 the band was born. 

The band has appeared at SXSW and have tour/supported bands like Silversun Pickups, The Joy Formidable, Taking Back Sunday, Wavves, Bass Drum of Death, Pussy Riot, Just Mustard, Militaire Gun and Liv Slingerland.

Cuffed Up is Ralph Torrefranca, Christina Apostolopoulos and Joe Liptock.

SPIN - "Gut-punching, guitar-pounding, off-kilter post-punk" 

Under The Radar - "The band tears through at a relentless pace. Scuzzy guitar lines add a distorted bite while a towering rhythm section anchors their whirling chaos" 

Beats Per Minute - "The track is catchy and riotous at once, finding time for slicing riffs and pounding drums betwixt Jewell’s commanding presence. The band lands in a sweet, balanced spot between punk and alternative, splitting the difference between the likes of Sonic Youth and Placebo." 

Buzzbands - “Sometimes you wanna dispense with formality and just say, "This song is f*cking great." Now is one of those times. This new single from L.A.'s Cuffed Up is f*cking great."

Line of Best Fit - “French Exit” sets the table for the kind of confessional punk that Cuffed Up brings in spades

Bandcamp - "A pair of revved-up songs from LA group Cuffed Up with the snarl of punk and the noisiness of vintage Sonic Youth." 

NME - "With its driving rhythm section, expansive guitar riffs and soaring vocals, the new one from Los Angeles band Cuffed Up is a hulking slice."

When The Horn Blows - "It’s a raw and punchy number that nods to all the big UK ‘punk’ bands taking the world by storm…Cuffed Up’s sound alternates between ‘happy jangly indie’ to ‘pissed off punk rock’. It’s intelligent, draws you in and keeps you wanting more."  

KEXP - You'd be forgiven for assuming Cuffed Up were from the UK — the Los Angeles-based quartet draw influence from the punk scene across the sea. 

We Found New Music - “Small Town Kid” is like Sonic Youth on Adderall...The sound of it is more anchored in a CBGB’s era East Coast punk with Jewell’s vocals sounding like a grittier, less polished early Debbie Harry."