Who? Buffalo’s Cute Is What We Aim For formed in January 2005 with a simple mission: “Let’s be ourselves — let’s be fun, but let’s be deep and intelligent at the same time,” according to lead singer Shaant Hacikyan. The band — Hacikyan, guitarist Jeff Czum, bassist Fred Climato, and drummer Tom Falcone — won a Battle of the Bands contest on Purevolume.com, played their third show ever at 2005’s Bamboozle fest in New Jersey, and are dropping their debut, The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch, on Fueled by Ramen, the label that spawned Fall Out Boy.
What’s the Deal? Cute Is What We Aim For didn’t try to cultivate an attitude beyond their years on this album. The Same Old Blood Rush is energetic, youthful power-pop about high school cliques, drama-loving girls, and fake IDs. The album’s single, “There’s a Class for This,” features guest vocals from one of the band’s inspirations, William Beckett of The Academy Is.
Fun Fact: Most of the guys in the band should be taking their high school finals right now, not touring behind an album. ALYSSA RASHBAUM
Now Hear This: Cute Is What We Aim For – “There’s a Class for This” Windows Media: Hi Real: Hi
Talk: These teens may aim for “cute,” but are they on target? COMMENT
On the Web: cuteiswhatweaimfor.com
