In early 2010, it was announced that the band will continue with frontman Shaant Hacikyan as the only original member to continue, joining with former members of Mandy K.
Michael Brady, Patrick MacLean, Kevin Scoma , and Mike Novak have joined Hacikyan to release Cute's single, "Harbour" which is available free for download on Shaant Hacikyan's Twitter account and here.
Pre-2010...
Having paired off in other local combos – singer Shaant Hacikyan and guitarist Jeff Czum in one, old bassist Fred Cimato and drummer Tom Falcone in another – Cute Is What We Aim For came together in January 2005 in Buffalo, New York, driven by the four members' desire to cast their own upbeat spin onto modern pop.
The Cute Is What We Aim For moniker was adopted as a 'homage to a friend'. It is also said that the term "cute" was used by Shaant in high school as another word for "gay", and in a phone conversation between himself and guitarist Jeff, Shaant stated "Cute is what we aim for." in reference to picking a name, and the band decided to use that phrase. The band was productive from the get-go, cranking out a series of bedroom demo recordings just moments after uniting. They posted the tracks on MySpace and PureVolume and quickly captured the attention of the blogosphere. From the start, there was a genuine connection between Cute and the kids.
Cute's online presence allowed for widespread national exposure that once upon a time could only be garnered through full-steam-ahead touring. With songs like "Lyrical Lies" and "Finger Twist and Split" lighting up broadband connections coast-to-coast, the band were eager to establish themselves as an equally poptastic live act. In the spring of 2005, mere months after getting started, Cute won PureVolume's online Battle of the Bands competition, securing a high-profile spot at that year's Bamboozle. They spent the following months recording and playing more shows, building upon their new fanbase while simultaneously fending off the many record companies that were vying for their services. But when the call came from Fueled By Ramen, they knew that they'd found the right home.
The band signed onto the Fueled By Ramen roster in November and quickly began getting ready to record their debut album. In February 2006, they packed their gear into the van and headed down to Beltsville, Maryland to work with producer Matt Squire. Squire, known for his work with such bands as Panic! At the Disco and Thrice, helped the band focus their energies, direct their efforts, and encourage them to fully find their own voice in the studio.
The resulting The Same Old Blood Rush With a New Touch more than fulfills Cute's mission to mesh jubilant tunefulness with savvy verbal gymnastics. Among the album's many highlights is the first single, "There's a Class for This," which features guest vocals from William Beckett from The Academy Is.. and on stage Martin Johnson from Boys Like Girls.
Since finishing the record, Cute has begun playing more and more live shows, including headline dates and tours alongside such artists as Punchline and Jack's Mannequin.
Bassist Fred Cimato left the band in October 2006. He was replaced by former October Fall member Jack Marin. However, in April 2007, it was revealed that Marin had left the band and Cimato had returned in order to replace him.
In early 2008, Cimato once again left the band, and solo artist and old Dave Melillo officially joined as his replacement. Melillo had been playing with the band for a while as an extra rhythm guitarist, but is now an official member.
On September 2nd 2008, drummer, Tom Falcone, anounced that he would be leaving the band. Many speculated because the band was on tour and Falcone had been missing for a few shows. Falcone released an offical statement via 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." Shaant nor any of the other members have commented on the situation. Former Roses Are Red drummer Michael Lasaponara is currently filling in on drums.
The band split ways August 18th, 2009. Dave Melillo told Alternative Press Magazine in an online interview "The story pretty much is we got off [the] Take Action! [tour], and the idea was to write a record. We didn't have any type of management, we didn't have anyone that we were really working with, so we didn't have a direction, we didn't have any type of game plan. But we were really trying."
In recent news (2010) Jeff Czum was seen filling in for a guitarist during a show in Australia.
Lyrical Lies
Cute Is What We Aim For Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Don't waste your time with politics" he said
"Just chase skirts instead"
"Life is too short, and your almost dead" he said
"I met a woman once, I gave her my best shot"
"But never did I talk"
"If I had her back, I'd be as real as my age"
"I so don't blame them, I wouldn't do the same"
And you want to be dressed in poetry
But imagery doesn't fit
And you want resizing
But darling dear get a grip
And I think what I just wrote is going over my head
I'm stealing lines from myself
And what I said was never said
It's just a lyrical lie
Made up in my mind
And you want to be dressed in poetry
But imagery doesn't fit
And you want resizing
But darling dear get a grip
You're moving but not aware
You're drowsy without a care
Except keeping your whites behind your lids
And your lids are your best canvas
I can only imagine what your painting
And your body on my mattress is proof
And your makeup on your pillow is proof
And I think what I just wrote is going over my head
I'm stealing lines from myself
And what I said was never said
It's just a lyrical lie
Made up in my mind
The lyrics of Cute Is What We Aim For's song Lyrical Lies depicts the fleeting nature of life and the importance of grabbing opportunities before it's too late. The old man's advice of not wasting time on politics and chasing skirts instead may seem frivolous but serves as a reminder that life is short and should be lived to the fullest. The singer reflects on missed chances with a woman he once met and realizes that he never really made an effort to talk to her. He acknowledges that he cannot blame her for his inaction but wishes he could express his emotions to her through a song.
The chorus of the song "And you want to be dressed in poetry, but imagery doesn't fit. And you want resizing, but darling dear get a grip" suggests that the singer is struggling to find the right words to express his feelings. He uses the metaphor of wanting to be "dressed in poetry" but finding that the "imagery doesn't fit". The phrase "darling dear get a grip" implies that he is frustrated with himself and possibly with the woman for not reciprocating his feelings.
The second verse of the song is more sensual, with the singer describing the woman's body as a canvas and her makeup on the pillow as proof of her presence. He seems to be caught up in his fantasies and is unsure of what he is writing, as he admits that "what I just wrote is going over my head" and that the lyrics are "just a lyrical lie made up in my mind".
Overall, Lyrical Lies is a song about missed opportunities and the struggle to express one's emotions. The advice of the old man to not waste time on politics and seize the day is a reminder to the listeners to make the most of their lives.
Line by Line Meaning
A old man gave me a tip he said
An elderly man shared some advice with me
"Don't waste your time with politics" he said
He advised me not to bother with political matters
"Just chase skirts instead"
He encouraged me to pursue romantic relationships
"Life is too short, and your almost dead" he said
He explained that life is brief and one should enjoy it while they can
"I met a woman once, I gave her my best shot"
He shared an experience where he attempted to win over a woman
"But never did I talk"
Despite his efforts, he was unsuccessful as he never spoke to her
"If I had her back, I'd be as real as my age"
He suggests that if he had the opportunity to try again, he would be genuine and truthful about his age
"I so don't blame them, I wouldn't do the same"
He understands why someone might be apprehensive about approaching another person
"But I can blame them, I'd Sing her this"
Despite his understanding, he would still attempt to serenade her
"And you want to be dressed in poetry"
The person he is addressing desires poetic language
"But imagery doesn't fit"
However, poetic imagery does not suit the situation
"And you want resizing"
Additionally, they desire a new perspective
"But darling dear get a grip"
He suggests they remain grounded and practical
"You're moving but not aware"
He observes that they are moving without being conscious of it
"You're drowsy without a care"
They seem unconcerned and perhaps even sleepy
"Except keeping your whites behind your lids"
They are only focused on what they see when they close their eyes
"And your lids are your best canvas"
Their eyelids are the place where they imagine and dream
"I can only imagine what your painting"
He wonders about the scenes and images that they create in their mind
"And your body on my mattress is proof"
He is reminded of their intimacy and connection
"And your makeup on your pillow is proof"
Even the remnants of her makeup serve as evidence of their relationship
"And I think what I just wrote is going over my head"
He questions whether he truly understands what he is writing
"I'm stealing lines from myself"
He feels like he is recycling his own lyrics without creating anything new
"And what I said was never said"
He recognizes that his words are not necessarily true or based in reality
"It's just a lyrical lie"
He is acknowledging that his song is a fabrication
"Made up in my mind"
And that it exists solely in his own imagination
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: FERNANDO CIMATO, JEFF CZUM, JEFFREY MARTIN CZUM, SHAANT HACIKYAN, SHAANT TIMOTHY HACIKYAN, TOM FALCONE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind