Artist description **Four guys from Houston,TX making rock**

Music Style Emo Rock

Musical Influences Samiam, Jimmy Eat World, Seaweed

Similar Artists Seaweed, Samiam, Jimmy Eat World, River City High, Knapsack, The Jealous Sound, The Get Up Kids, Jawbreaker

Artist History In a town of bands starting and breaking up a week later, The Tie That Binds is going on their tenth round battling the Houston scene. Losing singer, Kevin Richardson, and drummer, Alex Arizpe, after the release of Slowly Sinking Under (their debut on One Foot Records). Steve Duarte, Jesse Garcia, and Aaron Richardson recruited Steve’s brother, Rudy Duarte, to fill in on drums. Steve then stepped up to the mic and took the controls on main vocals and most of the song writing. Bringing the band closer than before and tighter than ever. As soon as things settled the foursome started writing for their next album. After three 7”, one album, and being featured on compilations with Jimmy Eat World, At The Drive In, and Mineral, it was time for something new. They began practicing until their fingers bled and playing more shows than anyone could count. Always energetic and hammering on stage, they wanted to bring that to their next album. They have always been influenced by (and compared to) Samiam, Seaweed, early eighties metal, pop, and punk. Bringing their own unique style of (emo-core) music to Houston and every city they hit on tour. Soon after finding Arms Reach Records they started working on Half Past Heroes in Austin with production by (ex-blueprint guitarist) Will Evans. Returning to deliver a tighter and even more diverse collection of emotional ups and downs from song to song. Steve and Jesse added to the 10 songs with great switching vocals and harmonies not seen before in other Tie That Binds performances. There is still the fast paced picking by Aaron and with Rudy now on drums the rhythm section is on the money. Making you want to tip your bottle back than break it with excitement. After opening for bands such as Jimmy Eat World, Rocket From The Crypt, Samiam and just about every other rock group out there right now. The Tie That Binds is looking to move forward and make more great music for their fans.

Group Members Steve - Vocals, Guitar Aaron - Guitar Jesse - Bass, Vocals Rudy - Drums

Albums Slowly Sinking Under, Half Past Heroes

Press Reviews -if you are into ROCK that isn't geared towards your little sister and her friends then i HIGHLY suggest that you check this band out. good vocals and intelligent music. go to their webpage, go to their shows, and buy their shit. SKRATCH - AUGUST '97, ISSUE 13 THE TIE THAT BINDS - SLOWLY SINKING UNDER - ONEFOOT RECORDS "From the vastness of Texas comes the undeniable talent of The Tie That Binds, who play punk with an emphasis on emotion; in the same vein as Lifetime and Farside. They are melodic but not mundane or drawn out, musically the five piece sounds as though they are not newcomers to the Emo-core scene; with a combination of varying tempos and true skill. The lyrics are what truly make The Tie That Binds a cut above the rest with their pure emotion and heartfelt honesty. If you're looking for that 'Revelation' sound you won't find it on Slowly Sinking Under, but you will find a band who put the Emo back into Emo-core." -Jason Chittenden SPOILED WHINE ZINE SEPT/OCT '97, ISSUE 5 (CANADA) THE TIE THAT BINDS SLOWLY SINKING UNDER (ONEFOOT) CD "Emo-core at its best! To be honest I never really liked emo stuff but this is an exception. This CD is really great. Very melodic emo with aggressive vocals. They play tight, catchy stuff here and if I were you, I'd check this out. 12 songs straight up your ass!" SILENT MAJORITY #5 THE TIE THAT BINDS - Slowly Sinking Under CD "This really isn't my area of expertise, but I think this is Emo. It sounds really good though. The music is extremely emotionally charged and played really well. The address says they're from Houston and I never heard of them when I lived down there. Maybe the people in Houston should start paying a little more attention because these guys are good." GLASS-EYE - SEPT 1997, VOLUME 4 ISSUE 6 THE TIE THAT BINDS Slowly Sinking Under (Onefoot Records) "Let's see here, The Tie That Binds, isn't that the name of a straightedge compilation? Maybe three album titles, and how many straightedge bands have at least considered naming one or two of their songs The Tie That Binds? OK, I'm through making fun of these poor fellas. The Tie That Binds are good if you are into the speedier emo sounds of bands like Farside and Lifetime. The production is pretty tinny sounding, but hey, it's punk rock (sorta)." -Mahlon Orrin BAD STAIN - ISSUE 3 THE TIE THAT BINDS "Slowly Sinking Under" CD "Oh yeah. This band has some fucking awesome riffs. The vocals are good, but not great. Almost like older Good Riddance meets Lagwagon. I enjoyed this CD. 12 songs about 8 are damn good." (CR) Grade B (Onefoot Records) SUB-PULSE - FALL 1997, ISSUE 4 THE TIE THAT BINDS Slowly Sinking Under CD "Enjoyable emo-punk from Houston. It kind of sounds like if mineral were punked up a little bit. You could probably call this something like emotional, creative pop-punk. Sometimes they go for more straight-ahead type tunes, and sometimes they venture into longer, quieter, more complex arrangements. This was definitely one of the more enjoyable CDs that I reviewed this issue, but it still seemed a little lacking. pretty good, but it didn't really move me all that much. This is definitely a band to watch out for, though. (Onefoot Records) -Daniel WAR CRIME - #6 The Tie That Binds "Slowly Sinking Under" CD "Melodic emo hardcore that I found very enjoyable. This isn't a favorite style of mine, but this band is energetic and catchy and it works. This would probably appeal to people into poppy-punk stuff as well as the emo crowd." HEARTATTACK #6 BADGER - Unhappy Life... 7" "Finally! A good poppy punk record to review, it seemed I ate a thousand bad apples of pop punk records. Powerful, good fucking vocals, great goddamn guitar. I just saw them and they were rad live too! No comparisons, just good goddamn music, ok? Viva Badger!" CQ I can not begin to explain how proud I am to help re-introduce The Tie That Binds after a 4 year absence from releasing music. What a triumphant return it is. 10 new songs that showcase The Tie That Binds ability to really craft a song, as compared to throwing chords together in the same key. One of the few bands able to combine both power and aggression with melodies. After 10 years of playing together, and going through a phase several years ago that almost broke up the band, The Tie That Binds has finally achieved the masterpiece they've been striving for. This is the soundtrack to moving on and growing closer through it. Akin to Seaweed & Quicksand in it's execution and feel, this is a must have.

Additional Info http://pub30.ezboard.com/btttbheadquarters

Location Houston, Texas - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).