Ice Cream Social
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Ice Cream Social

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Band Pop Rock

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"Article from Buffalo Rising"

"Synth Pop bands are not something anyone would mistake the Buffalo music scene for spawning. Certainly not the kind of bright, danceable keyboard and guitar pop that Ice Cream Social brings to the table. Perhaps because they stand out amongst Buffalo’s grittier guitar dominated music scene that makes them so refreshing and interesting. Perhaps its lead singer Tom’s undeniable weird energy on stage, or the fact that the rest of the band looks like they’re actually having fun playing their instruments for you that makes them one of the best live acts to grace a stage. Or maybe, just maybe it is also because the songs they are playing are ridiculously catchy, complex and really, really good."
-Joseph DiDomizio - Joseph DiDomizio


""Dangeresque""

Dangeresque: Ice Cream Social’s “Way Into Gold”
By Joseph DiDomizio

Ice Cream Social’s last release, the full length “The Kitten and the Butterfly”, showcased the synth-pop band’s fun, whimsical, propulsive songs, with catchy hooks and a bright danceable sound. “Way Into Gold”, their 6-track EP released in January, does not dispose of any of the fun that made their full length stand out. If anything, the album captures a lot more of their live energy, with a fuller sound and slicker production.
“There was a lot more tweaking and messing with [Way Into Gold] than the first one,” Tom the lead vocalist explains. “The last one we were up against a wall with time, we went ahead and set the date for our CD release before we had finished recording the CD. We wound up not doing everything we wanted to do and it had just a lot of sort of whimsical, fun, carefree quality to it. This one we were able to make a lot more polished, and we took a lot longer to do it.”
Recorded with J. Fen Ikner, from Knife Crazy, the album moves into more rock and roll territory, and further from the electronic. That’s not to say they’ve changed directions, the album contains a revisited “Kitten/Butterfly” from the full length, which feels right at home with the new tracks.
“I think we have a little more of a harder edge, now,” Janessa says.
“It’s more of a dangerous, more of a rock and roll kind of feel,” Tom adds.
“’Dangerous’ is kind of a dangerous word to say there, cause it’s not like we’re Megadeath, now.” Mike, the new bassist chimes in.
“We do have an 80 foot skeleton, though crushing a town on the front of our CD,” Tom continues, “and the name of the CD is ‘Symphony of Destruction’.”
“Honestly I wanted “Euthenasia, but I’m the new guy, so…” Joining the band in November of 2007, Mike had wanted to be part of Ice Cream Social for a long time, having gotten to know them over the last few years. “One thing I really like about this band is that there’s so much room for live interpretation of the songs, like whether it be the old songs or the new songs,” Mike explains. “Yes there’s a sort of rigid structure to the songs, but they’re so there’s so much room to play around within the structure…it was like ‘play it like this’, but at the same time, ‘do what the hell you want’.”
The EP continues to show the band’s memorable and complex song craft, with layers of production only hinted at on the previous release. Using horns, handclaps, and more backing vocals—especially on ‘We All Died’ which is reminiscent of the Flaming Lips—and the deeply layered production warrants listen after listen to unpack all the subtle aural treats inside. Although “Way Into Gold” is slightly less accessible than their earlier effort, after just a couple listens the infectious melodies will stick in your head for days (just try to stop muttering ‘I dug her up in Carolina’). While the songs may feel more dangerous, they exude an energy, spirit and complexity that are fun, danceable and even dark at times, which is what was so attractive about their first effort, and what “Way Into Gold” builds on: beautiful pop songs about love, death, and a phalanx of squirrels.
Visit Ice Cream Social on their myspace page at myspace.com/icecreamsocialize, or icecreamsocialize.com, for updates on shows, or to check out tracks from their releases.
- Buffalo Rising


Discography

Worry and Regret ep - released Mid 2005
The Kitten and The Butterfly LP - Released 12/06
Way Into Gold ep - coming 01/26/2008

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Bio

When we started the band in the fall of 2005, we didn't want to sound like another product of our environment - tough, snowy and full of chicken wings. We wanted to contribute something fresh and exciting to the music scene we unconditionally support. Most of us have played in numerous bands of various genres prior to ICS so we all bring something different to the table - which is why we sound so unique. Our immediate influences range from classic rock like The Who, Led Zepplin to more contemporary groups like The Rentals, The Anniversary and Modest Mouse.