Cute Is What We Aim For

Cute Is What We Aim For
Background information
Origin	Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Genres	Emo, Power pop, Pop punk
Years active	2005–2009[1]
Labels	Fueled By Ramen
Website	CuteIsWhatWeAimFor.com
Members
Shaant Hacikyan
Former members
Jeff Czum Dave Melillo Tom Falcone Fred Cimato Jack Marin Don Arthur

Cute Is What We Aim For (also known as CIWWAF) was a pop punk band from Buffalo, New York. The band formed in 2005, and were signed by Fueled by Ramen. They released their debut album, The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch in 2006. Their second album, Rotation, was released on June 24, 2008.

History

Early

The drama surrounding the band was fueled further when they announced that they were firing their manager, Brandon Davis, who accused them of unethical business practices.^[2] and then 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 electric guitar for a bass guitar.^[3] Although it was already suspected by fans due to several indications on the band's part, on November 29, 2005 they officially announced their signing with Fueled by Ramen.^[4]

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 number 75 on the Billboard 200.

During the fall of 2006, Cimato parted ways with the band, and Jack Marin (formerly of October Fall) became the new bassist. However, six months later, in April 2007, Jack left because of personal issues with the band members. Cimato returned as bassist once again. In October 2007, Fred Cimato was interviewed by musicscoop.net. When asked if he viewed his role in the band as permanent, 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." However, Cimato left the band again on March 2008. It was announced that Dave Melillo would be their bassist until further notice.

2008

After their time with the Young Wild Things Tour, the band took some time off to continue writing for their second release. They went into the recording studio with producer John Feldmann. The name of Cute Is What We Aim For's new album was announced on their website, and also on their forum "The Social Scene", on April 21, 2008. This coincided with a clip of their new single, Practice Makes Perfect, being aired on MTV's The Hills. At midnight on April 22, the band released another new song called Doctor, on their MySpace. On May 6, Practice Makes Perfect became available on the iTunes Store. The album called Rotation, was finished on March 19, 2008, and was released on June 24, 2008.

The band then announced plans to play a four month tour in support of Rotation in both the United Kingdom and the United States. They played in the UK from May 25 until June 2, before heading back home to the United States to start the second part of their tour on June 15 in Pittsburgh, PA; ending their tour on August 17 in Columbus, OH. The men that supported the US part of the tour was Ace Enders, Danger Radio, Dan Geraghty and label-mates Powerspace. On August 26, 2008, the band was part of the opening show for Simple Plan at the Bell Center (along with Faber Drive and Metro Station). The former Dave Melillo Band guitarist, Clark Spurlock, was featured on that tour, as well as on the Canadian tour with Simple Plan.

On September 2, 2008, there was speculation over drummer, Tom Falcone. He announced that he would be leaving the band. Falcone released an official statement on ap.net, stating that; "I simply left the band because the personality conflicts and daily drama made it impossible for me to live a peaceful, happy life," also adding that; "I assure you that no one came looking for me." Hacikyan nor any of the other members have commented on the situation. Former Roses Are Red drummer Michael Lasaponara (who is also the drum tech for the band The Academy Is...) is currently filling in on drums.

The band will be headlining the 2009 Take Action Tour. They recently stopped working with Kevin Spellman at Creative Artist Management.

2009

A clip of a new demo called "Catch 22" appeared online on June 9.^[5] The band's single "Time" is included in the soundtrack for the upcoming movie Jennifer's Body.

On August 18, Hacikyan announced he was going solo which seemingly spelled the end for CIWWAF. On the same day, Dave Melillo confirmed that he and Jeff Czum had left the band.^[1] Jeff, Dave, and Mike have moved on and have a band named Nocturnal Me.

Members

Current

• Shaant Hacikyan – lead vocals (2005 - present)

Former

• Michael Lasaponara – drums (2008-2009) (touring)
• Clark Spurlock – rhythm guitar (2008-2009) (touring)
• Zach Pagano - acoustic guitar (2008-2009) (touring)
• Tom Falcone – drums (2005-2008)
• Jack Marin - bass (2006 - 2007)
• Fred Cimato – bass (2005 - 2006, 2007 - 2008)
• Don Arthur – bass (2005)
• Rob Neiss – drums (2005)
• Logan Crane - guitar (2005)
• Casey Maccio - Bass (2008)

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

• I ^  Peaked at number 191 on the UK Singles Chart.^[6]

References

External links

• Review of Cute is What We Aim For - Rotation on Highbeamreview.com
• Official website
• Cute Is What We Aim For at MySpace
• The Social Scene - Official Fan Club for Cute Is What We Aim For
• Cute Is What We Aim For at Last.fm
• Cute Is What We Aim For on Shockound
• Cute Is What We Aim For's profile at Purevolume
• Fred Cimato interview at musicscoop.net
• CIWWAF interview at rocklouder.co.uk
• Rotation poster including the info which states Navigate Me as a forthcoming single
• Video interview on week of 'Rotation' release at rocklouder.co.uk