Shooby-doo-wop & Scooby Snacks: LFO stops by for the summer.

June 4, 2:03 PMBuffalo Music ExaminerJillian Smolinski

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LFO - LFO (1999)

Last month LFO announced two shows in New York and Philadelphia. The pair of  dates ignited rumors that the band was reuniting for more than just a few one-off shows, they were coming back for good.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3 LFO confirmed the rumors via their myspace and twitter with eight simple words - "LFO is back. LFO is going on tour."

To date, LFO has revealed plans for eleven reunion shows including a stop at The Westcott Theatre in Syracuse on July 22.  For now that is the closest "the boys of summer" will be making it to Buffalo. The band is confirming more tour dates on a daily basis. Make sure you keep an eye out on their myspace for additional information.

LFO is the latest '90s band to reunite -- following in the footsteps of No Doubt, Blink 182, Creed, Limp Bizkit, and Blur. Of course, It was just last year that New Kids on the Block, the boy band that "had a bunch of hits" reunited and had a bunch more hits. From the looks of things I think it's safe to say LFO is expecting to do the same.

Photo: twitter.com/nikkimuse (May 2009)

LFO (or Lyte Funky Ones) formed in 1995 when Rich Cronin met Brian "Brizz" Gillis in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The pair added a third member by the name of Brad Fischetti. The trio found minor success on the UK Singles Chart with their remake of Yvonne Elliman's song Can't Have You. The line-up remained the same until 1999 when Gillis, frustrated with the lack of progress, left the band to pursue music on his own. Cronin and Lima didn't let the set back stall them. Instead they held an open audition, where they found Devin Lima. The new and improved LFO hit the studio in attempt to make a demo. One of the songs the band recorded was a song that would forever change their lives. Summer Girls.

The band released their debut album, LFO, in August of 1999. The album sold 2.5 million copies worldwide and reached #21 on the U.S. charts. LFO scored two top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 with their songs Summer Girls and Girl on TV. Summer Girls was nominated for a number of awards including a Billboard Music Award for Top Selling Single of the Year. The band scored big at the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards when they won Favorite Group of the Year. Over the next year, LFO toured nonstop, performing well over 200 concerts. The band earned an opening spot with Britney Spears and a co-headlining spot on the All That & More tour

In 2001, LFO released their sophomore album, Life is Good. The album never achieved the success of the debut, despite the popularity of the album's only single Every Other Time. LFO called it quits the following year.

After LFO broke up Cronin, Fischetti, and Lima remained in the music industry in one form or another. Rich Cronin formed Loose Cannons with Doug Ray (Toothpick). In 2007, Cronin was cast on the VH1 Reality Show Mission: Man Band. Chris Kirkpatrick (NSync), Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) and Bryan Abrams (Color Me Badd) also starred in the show. The former boy band members met in Orlando to record, perform, and pitch their new music to labels. Cronin released his first solo album Billion Dollar Sound in May 2008. Fischetti started a record label called 111 records. He later signed Buffalo-based artists This Day and Age, Jinxed, and The Reign of Kindo. Fischetti's label is also home to Devin Lima's music project. Devin Lima & The Cadbury Diesel released their debut album, Mozart Popart, in July 2008.

LFO - Life is Good (2001)

For all the summer girls out there life is good, life is great, life is unbelievable because LFO is back. The only question that remains is: will you think it's fly when LFO stops by for the summer?

The self-proclaimed "boys of summer" will show you that your heart is still safe with them when they hit the road later on this summer. LFO will be joined by Rookie Of The Year, Go Crash Audio, and Kiernan McMullan. Tickets, which are not yet on sale, will include a meet & greet with LFO. There will also be a limited amount of VIP tickets available for each show, which include sound check, time on LFO's bus, and backstage access where available.

LFO tour dates as of June 3, 2009:

7/9 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, Georgia
7/10 - New Brookland Tavern - West Columbia, South Carolina
7/11 - Musica - Akron, Ohio
7/13 - Middle East (Downstairs) Cambridge, Massachusetts
7/14 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, New York
7/17 - Northstar Bar - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7/18 - Highland Ballroom - New York, New York
7/21 - Crocodile Rock Café - Allentown, Pennsylvania
7/22 - The Westcott Theatre - Syracuse, New York
7/23 - Club Relevant - Virginia Beach, Virginia
7/25 - House of Blues (Orlando) - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Cadbury Diesel / Devin Lima featuring Brad Fishcetti cover Girl On TV at Pianos in NYC two years ago:

Let's take a trip down memory lane, shall we? Here's the official music video for Summer Girls:

For more information on LFO:

Myspace / Twitter / YouTube

For fans of: Abercrombie and Fitch, New Kids on the Block, Fun Dip & Cherry Coke, the color purple, macaroni and cheese

Follow the members of the band on Twitter: Brad / Devin / Rich

For more information on LFO's individual projects: Brad / Devin / Rich