Cute Is What We Aim For

{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Cute Is What We Aim For | Img = | Img_capt = | Img_size = | Landscape = | Background = group_or_band | Birth_name = | Alias = | Born = | Died = | Origin = Buffalo, New York, U.S. | Instrument = | Genre = Indie rock
[[Power Pop ^[1] | Occupation = | Years_active = 2005–present | Label = Fueled By Ramen
Atlantic Records | Associated_acts = | URL = CuteIsWhatWeAimFor.com |Current_members = Shaant Hacikyan
Jeff Czum
Fred Cimato
Tom Falcone | Past_members =Jack Marin
| Notable_instruments = Vocals
Guitar
Drums
Bass
Piano }} Cute Is What We Aim For (CIWWAF) is a Pop/Rock band, formed in 2005 in Buffalo, New York and currently signed to Fueled by Ramen. In 2006, their Billboard 200-charting debut album The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch was released on Fueled by Ramen.

History

The band was formed in January 2005 as a side-project by Cherry Bing singer Shaant Timothy Hacikyan (born November 7, 1986) and lead guitarist Jeff Czum after tensions in the band rose. The band's name originated in which the singer used the phrase in search of a "cute" band name ("cute" had become his trademark expression in high school as a synonym for "cool"). However, in high school, Shaant was often seen as an outsider. Laying to rest their previous endeavors' ska and pop punk notions, the quartet created a lyrically accentuated brand of power pop, that relies heavily on such poetic devices as alliteration, assonance, pun and metaphor, vocalized over radio-friendly clean guitar harmonies. When they decided to devote themselves fully to Cute Is What We Aim For, parting ways with their other bands was less than amicable. Some members of Shaant's former band, Cherry Bing, blamed Shaant for the demise of the group. However, Cherry Bing has been making a comeback in their hometown of Buffalo, NY. Despite their efforts to start anew, Cute Is What We Aim For has been criticized for their past engagements and their band name, as well as allegations of plagiarism.^[2] Nevertheless, the band went on to record demos with multi-platinum producer Shep Goodman and Kenny Gioia, and managed to rapidly build a fanbase. A considerable amount of the band's swift success is likely thanks to the large amount of coverage received from online magazines. One such webzine, Absolutepunk.net, featured band on their "Absolute Unsigned" feature, only to have the website's founder, Jason Tate, openly harass the band via the site's message board, accusing them of being marketing marionettes of their label and excessively using Auto-Tune on their debut album. Hacikyan and the album's producer, Matt Squire, admitted to using some Auto-Tune but denied the other allegations in the following Absolutepunk interview.^[3]^[4]

However, the drama surrounding the band was further fueled when they announced that they were firing their manager, who accused them of unethical business practices,^[5] and underwent several line-up changes: In an effort to compensate for the absence of temporary bassist Don Arthur at a concert, Cimato permanently swapped his six-string for a bass guitar, while rhythm guitarist Chris Flury completed the quintet in November 2005.^[6] Although already suspected by fans due to several indications on the band's part, on November 29 2005, their signing with Fueled by Ramen was officially announced. Shortly thereafter, another line-up change occurred, when Flury and the band mutually agreed to part ways and Cute Is What We Aim For went on as a four-piece.

On June 20 2006, Cute Is What We Aim For's debut album The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch hit store shelves, debuting at #75 on the Billboard 200. With 13,651 in first week sales, the album broke the label's internal record set by Panic at the Disco's A Fever You Can't Sweat Out (2005) by almost 4,000 copies.^[7] As of January 2007, the album has sold 94,410 units.^[8] The Academy Is...'s William Beckett lent vocals to the album's first single "There's a Class for This", which openly addresses the band's ever-surrounding drama (culminating in the song's chorus "Drama doesn't follow me, it rides on my back/I may be ugly, but they sure love to stare"). The music video directed by Jay Martin premiered on mtvU on July 17 2006. On February 26, 2007 the group's second single, "The Curse of Curves", was released. The video was directed by Lex Hallaby. For the band's third single, "Newport Living", the video was edited by Dylan Steinberg using various footage (over 15 hours) of the band members on tour plus a live show at The Metro in Chicago. The video was released on October 29, 2007.

In October 2007 Fred Cimato was interviewed by musicscoop.net. When asked if he viewed his role in the band as permanent (after returing in early 2007 many believed it was simply a temporary role) he replied, "Definitely permanent. I had 7 months at home to finish up high school and after that I was like "wow I miss playing music". I was blessed enough to get that opportunity again."

In early 2006, it was revealed that the group has signed with Fueled By Ramen.^[9] For the 2007 Vans Warped Tour, singer-songwriter Dave Melillo joined the band as a backup guitarist. He also joined them on the Young Wild Things tour with Fall Out Boy, Plain White T's, and Gym Class Heroes.

After their current stint on the Young Wild Things Tour, the band has take some time off to continue writing for their second release. They have headed into the studio with producer John Feldmann. Their main website has been updated frequently of pictures from the individual band members iphones. Shaant has also stated the pre-production on the album has been finished. The rumoured title of the new album is Don't Be So Scared because of the lead singers blog posts.

The Social Scene

Cute Is What We Aim For recently started with an official fanclub, called The Social Scene. The name is a line from the song "Newport Living", the latest single of CIWWAF.

Band members

Tom Falcone - drums
Shaant Hacikyan- vocals
Jeff Czum- guitar
Fred Cimato- bass
Dave Melillo (touring)?

Former

Jack Marin- Bass(2007)

Chris Flurry- Rhythm Guitar (2005)

Donny Arthur- Bass (2004)

Discography

Albums

The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch (2006)#75 US
Don't Be So Scared (July - August 2008)

Singles

Compilations

2007 Warped Tour Compilation (2007)
TMNT Soundtrack (2007)

References

^ http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/single_reviews/s/222/222500_cute_is_what_we_aim_for__theres_a_class_for_this_atlantic.html
^ "Cute is What We Aim For Gains Fans, Battles Enemies Online". Andpop.com. Retrieved September 29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Cute Is What We Aim For Questionnaire". Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved July 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Cute Is What We Aim For/Matt Squire (6.17.06)". Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved July 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Cute is What We Aim For Loses Manager". Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved September 29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ Cite error: The named reference decoyint was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^ "US Billboard Charts (08/07/2006)". UKMIX - Forums. Retrieved July 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Soundscan Results: January 04th". Absolutepunk.net (Google cache). Retrieved January 5. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
^ "Interview with Cute Is What We Aim For". Today's Teen. Retrieved January 13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

[1] ttp://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/single_reviews/s/222/222500_cute_is_what_we_aim_for__theres_a_class_for_this_atlantic.html

[2] "Cute is What We Aim For Gains Fans, Battles Enemies Online". Andpop.com. Retrieved September 29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[3] "Cute Is What We Aim For Questionnaire". Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved July 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[4] "Cute Is What We Aim For/Matt Squire (6.17.06)". Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved July 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[5] "Cute is What We Aim For Loses Manager". Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved September 29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[decoyint-6] Cite error: The named reference decoyint was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

[7] "US Billboard Charts (08/07/2006)". UKMIX - Forums. Retrieved July 20. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[8] "Soundscan Results: January 04th". Absolutepunk.net (Google cache). Retrieved January 5. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[9] "Interview with Cute Is What We Aim For". Today's Teen. Retrieved January 13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]