In the mid-2000s, as the internet platform MySpace became a kingmaker for a new generation of bands, few artists encapsulated the digital-age zeitgeist of the emo and pop-punk movements better than Cute Is What We Aim For. Emerging from Buffalo, New York, the band combined saccharine, razor-sharp hooks with verbose, often cynical lyrics, creating a sound that resonated deeply with a burgeoning online youth culture. Their rapid ascent, fueled by viral success and a landmark debut album, was matched only by the internal turbulence that would define their career. This is a chronological examination of their formation, their mainstream success, their frequent dissolutions, and their enduring legacy—a legacy that keeps their music in rotation at events like Emo Night Pittsburgh.
Formation and Early Era
The story of Cute Is What We Aim For is one of youthful ambition, fortuitous timing, and the catalytic power of the early internet. The members came together not as seasoned musicians, but as teenagers channeling their suburban anxieties and melodic sensibilities into a project that would quickly outgrow its humble origins.
Origins and Formation
Cute Is What We Aim For was formed in Buffalo, New York, in January 2005. The founding lineup consisted of vocalist Shaant Hacikyan, guitarist Jeff Czum, bassist Fred Cimato, and drummer Tom Falcone. The members were childhood friends, and their chemistry was rooted in a shared desire to create an upbeat, lyrically driven version of modern alternative rock. The band’s name itself became a piece of scene lore; it reportedly originated from a phrase Hacikyan used, which was then adopted as a unique and memorable moniker for their new project.
Almost immediately after their formation, the band began writing and recording demos in their bedrooms. They utilized the burgeoning social media platforms of the day, primarily MySpace and PureVolume, to share their music. Tracks like “Teasing To Please” quickly gained traction online, circulated by a growing network of fans and digital street teams. This grassroots promotion was remarkably effective, and it wasn’t long before their catchy pop-punk sound captured the attention of record labels scouting for the next big thing in the emo scene.
Early Discography
The band’s early discography consists almost entirely of the demos that created their initial buzz. These raw recordings showcased their knack for crafting infectious melodies and Hacikyan’s distinctive, often polysyllabic, lyrical style. The strength of these demos led to significant online achievements, including winning PureVolume’s Battle of the Bands in 2005. This victory earned them a coveted spot at The Bamboozle festival, a major milestone for an unsigned act.
Their burgeoning fame attracted numerous record labels, but the band ultimately found a home with Fueled by Ramen, a label already synonymous with the era’s most prominent emo and pop-punk acts, including Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco, and Paramore. They officially signed with the label in late 2005 and immediately began preparations to translate their demo-day success into a professional studio album. This signing marked the end of their initial DIY phase and the beginning of their journey into the mainstream music world, setting the stage for a debut that would become a defining album for many fans of the genre and a staple at any future Pittsburgh Emo Night.
The Mainstream Breakthrough
With the backing of a major independent label and a pre-existing online fanbase, Cute Is What We Aim For was perfectly positioned for a mainstream breakthrough. Their debut album arrived like a lightning strike, exceeding commercial expectations and cementing their status as scene royalty, even as the pressures of success began to expose the fractures within the band.
Pivotal Album(s) and Lineup Changes
The band’s pivotal album is unquestionably their debut, The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch, released on June 20, 2006. Produced by Matt Squire (Panic! at the Disco, All Time Low), the album was a masterclass in polished, radio-friendly power-pop. It refined the sound of their early demos while retaining the lyrical wit and melodic energy that fans had come to love. The album was an immediate commercial success, debuting at number 75 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling nearly 14,000 copies in its first week—the fastest-selling debut in Fueled by Ramen’s history at the time.
Singles like “There’s a Class for This” and “The Curse of Curves” became anthems of the MySpace generation. The latter, in particular, became their signature song, a perfect storm of catchy hooks, clever wordplay, and relatable romantic angst. However, the success of the album was quickly followed by the first of many lineup changes. In October 2006, bassist Fred Cimato departed the band, replaced by Jack Marin. This would be a short-lived change, as Marin himself would leave in April 2007, leading to Cimato’s temporary return before his second, more permanent departure in 2008. This instability would become a recurring theme throughout the band’s career.
Achieving Critical and Commercial Success
The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch was a commercial juggernaut within its scene. It established Cute Is What We Aim For as a leading voice in the mid-2000s emo explosion. They embarked on major tours, sharing stages with bands like Jack’s Mannequin and Punchline, and secured a headlining spot on the Vans Warped Tour. Their music videos were in heavy rotation on MTV, and their songs were ubiquitous on alternative radio.
Critically, the album received mixed reviews. Some critics praised its undeniable catchiness and pop sensibilities, while others dismissed it as formulaic or lyrically juvenile. Regardless of critical consensus, the album connected powerfully with its target audience. For countless listeners, it was a soundtrack to their adolescence, a collection of songs that perfectly captured the drama and excitement of being young. This deep connection is why, years later, their music remains a celebrated fixture at throwback events, ensuring that a Pittsburgh Emo Night playlist would feel incomplete without them.
Musical Evolution and Key Events
Following the massive success of their debut, the band faced the difficult task of creating a follow-up. This period was marked by a conscious effort to evolve their sound, but it was also defined by escalating internal conflict, significant member departures, and the eventual dissolution of the group, leaving a complicated legacy in its wake.
Mid-career Albums and Sonic Shifts
The band’s second and final studio album, Rotation, was released on June 24, 2008. For this record, they enlisted producer John Feldmann (The Used, Good Charlotte) and aimed for a more mature and diverse sound. The album saw the official addition of Dave Melillo on bass, who had been a touring member. The sonic palette of Rotation moved away from the straightforward power-pop of their debut, incorporating influences from classic rock, indie, and even hip-hop cadences in Hacikyan’s vocal delivery. The band cited artists like Tom Petty and Weezer as inspirations, signaling a deliberate attempt to distance themselves from the “scene” tag.
Tracks like “Practice Makes Perfect” and “Doctor” showcased a more rhythmically complex and sonically layered approach. While the album was a conscious step forward artistically, it failed to replicate the commercial success of its predecessor. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard 200, a respectable position, but it alienated some fans who preferred the immediate, hook-driven nature of their first album. The sonic shift on Rotation demonstrated a band unwilling to repeat themselves, but it also highlighted the creative tensions that were beginning to pull them apart.
Hiatus, Reunions, or Significant Member Departures
The period surrounding Rotation was fraught with turmoil. Just before the album’s release, drummer Tom Falcone left the band. The internal strife culminated in August 2009, when Hacikyan announced he was going solo, effectively breaking up the band. Guitarist Jeff Czum and bassist Dave Melillo confirmed their departure, citing irreconcilable differences and a toxic working environment, particularly with Hacikyan, who later opened up about his struggles with alcoholism during this period.
However, this was not the end. In 2010, Hacikyan reformed Cute Is What We Aim For with an entirely new lineup, but this iteration was short-lived. The most significant reunion occurred in 2012, when the classic lineup of Hacikyan, Czum, and Falcone announced they were playing shows together again. They performed sporadically over the next few years, including a 10th-anniversary tour for The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch in 2016, which was met with immense enthusiasm from fans. Despite releasing a few new singles in 2019, the band has remained largely inactive since, with members focusing on other projects. This cycle of breakups and reunions has become a defining part of their story.
Modern Era
In the years since their last full-length album, Cute Is What We Aim For has existed in a state of semi-permanence. While new studio output has been sparse, their presence and influence continue to be felt, particularly through the lens of nostalgia and their impact on the enduring popularity of the emo genre.
Recent Albums and Contemporary Activity
Since Rotation in 2008, Cute Is What We Aim For has not released a full-length studio album. Their contemporary activity has been characterized by periodic reunions for anniversary tours and occasional one-off single releases. In 2019, the band released a handful of new songs, including “Hipbones and Microphones” and “Through to You,” which were welcomed by longtime fans as a return to their classic pop-punk sound. These tracks proved that their songwriting chemistry remained intact, but they did not lead to a full album or a sustained period of activity.
The members have pursued various other ventures. Shaant Hacikyan has released solo material, while Jeff Czum has been involved in other musical projects. The band’s presence today is primarily felt through their celebrated back catalog and the powerful nostalgia it evokes, making them a perfect fit for the atmosphere of Emo Night Pittsburgh, where fans gather to celebrate the music that defined a generation.
Cultural Impact and Connection to the Scene
Cute Is What We Aim For’s legacy is twofold. They are remembered both as architects of the mid-2000s emo-pop sound and as a cautionary tale of how quickly internal strife can derail a promising career. Their influence, however, remains undeniable.
Influence on Their Primary Genres
Alongside bands like The All-American Rejects and The Starting Line, Cute Is What We Aim For helped define the more polished, pop-oriented side of the emo and pop-punk genres. Their emphasis on clever, verbose lyrics and massive, singalong choruses influenced a wave of bands that followed. They proved that music rooted in the punk scene could achieve mainstream commercial success without sacrificing its lyrical edge. Their debut album, in particular, stands as a key document of the era, a high-water mark for the fusion of pop accessibility and emo sensibility.
Relevance in Nostalgia Events like Emo Night Pittsburgh
The resurgence of interest in 2000s emo culture has given bands like Cute Is What We Aim For a vibrant second life. Events like Emo Night Pittsburgh thrive on the shared cultural memory of this era, and Cute Is What We Aim For is a cornerstone of that experience. Their songs are not just nostalgic artifacts; they are anthems that have lost none of their power to energize a crowd. When a DJ at a Pittsburgh Emo Night drops the opening riff of “The Curse of Curves,” the reaction is immediate and universal. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring ability to connect with listeners on a visceral, emotional level, solidifying their place in the pantheon of emo legends.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cute Is What We Aim For
- When did Cute Is What We Aim For form?
- Cute Is What We Aim For formed in Buffalo, New York, in January 2005.
- What are their biggest songs?
- Their most well-known songs include “The Curse of Curves,” “There’s a Class for This,” “Newport Living,” and “Practice Makes Perfect.”
- How many albums has Cute Is What We Aim For released?
- The band has released two full-length studio albums: The Same Old Blood Rush with a New Touch (2006) and Rotation (2008).
- Is Cute Is What We Aim For still together?
- The band’s status is often ambiguous. They have broken up and reunited multiple times. While they have not been consistently active in recent years, they have not officially announced a permanent breakup and have performed reunion shows periodically.
- What genre is Cute Is What We Aim For?
- Their music is primarily categorized as pop-punk, emo, and power-pop, with elements of alternative rock.
- Who are the original members?
- The original lineup consisted of Shaant Hacikyan (vocals), Jeff Czum (guitar), Tom Falcone (drums), and Fred Cimato (bass).
