After three full-length albums, several countries, hundreds of shows, thousands of miles and over 1.6 million faces rocked, Portland, Oregon-based fivesome Kutless has decided it’s just as great to give as it is to receive.
After three full-length albums, several countries, hundreds of
shows, thousands of miles and over 1.6 million faces rocked, Portland,
Oregon-based fivesome Kutless has decided it’s just as great to give as
it is to receive. They’re doing so this year with the forthcoming
release of the band’s fourth full-length album, Hearts Of The Innocent.
With tour dates ahead, Kutless looks to contribute its part in giving
back to the world that has been so kind to them over the past six
years. In fact, the alternative rock act already started linking up
with charities last year, performing a benefit concert for Hurricane
Katrina victims and raising over $50,000 in one night. And, according
to Kutless vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall, the Katrina benefit was just the
start, as the band anticipates teaming up with other charities in the
near future.
Such goodwill will also be spread through the band’s music, most
notably their latest effort, Hearts Of The Innocent. Produced by Aaron
Sprinkle, Hearts Of The Innocent was assembled sporadically throughout
2005. While most artists would see such intermittent recording
schedules as an obstruction to a creative process, Sumrall actually saw
the time between recording sessions as a positive aspect. “I think it
even helped with the overall diversity of the record, as we weren’t in
one mindset throughout the entire recording process,” he says. “I’m
very excited about it and am very pleased with the way it turned out.”
Hearts Of The Innocent fires off with the propulsive single, “Shut Me Out.”
“We kind of wanted to put out the first single with an in-your-face
rock ‘n’ roll song,” says Sumrall, “to be like, ‘Hey, we’re back and
we’re rockin’ it.’”
The title track is a message of awareness, of which Sumrall says is
a wake-up call to the generation of adults to take closer look at the
neglected youth across the world.
“Our whole focus is to reach out
to young people and traveling around, you see a lot of hurting people,”
he continues. “It seems like it gets younger and younger every year.
Ten-year-old kids are dealing with stuff that ten-year-old kids
shouldn’t even know about. It’s really sad, I think. We need to make a
difference. We’re pretty young, still, but we’ve tried to set a
standard and do the best we can.”
Hearts Of The Innocent marks the recording debut of the band’s
newest members, drummer Jeffrey Gilbert and bassist Dave
Leutkenhoelter, both formerly of Seven Places. Launched by original
members Sumrall and guitarists James Mead and Ryan Shrout, Kutless
formed while still in college in 2000, signed to Tooth & Nail/BEC
in late 2001 and had released its self-titled debut the following year.
2004 brought the band’s sophomore effort, Sea Of Faces, and in ’05,
Strong Tower, was released.
Kutless had persevered from its initial rough road, eventually
sustaining themselves with their musical talents, and today, are giving
back to the community. “This year, we’ve been reaching out a little bit
more,” says Sumrall. “We’ve got three records out now and we’ve kind of
solidified the band, so to speak. It’s been fun, because now, this past
year and this coming year, we’ll be able to branch out and team up with
other organizations and partnerships to try and make a difference in
the world and in individuals’ lives.”
