Kutless

About Kutless

As a contemporary Christian music band, Kutless has offered both sides of their talents to captivate a wide audience. Their signature sound is powerful, with a rock edge, but they easily mix this with a lighter feel in many of their songs. Sometimes compared to the band Creed in terms of sound, the band also has a distinct element all its own. The band originally started as a college a campus worship band by current lead vocalist Jon Michah Sumrall and guitarists Ryan Shrout and James Mead, and signed on with BEC/Tooth and Nail Records to produce their successful albums.

Current band members include:

• Jon Micah Sumrall (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano)
• James Mead - (guitar and secondary vocals)
• Nick De Partee (guitar and secondary vocals - taking over for longtime guitarist Ryan Shrout)
• Dave "lucky" Luetkenhoelter (bass)
• Jeffrey Gilbert (drums)

Various artists and genres have influences the band's style, ranging from jazz and classic piano influences to Eric Clapton and Simon & Garfunkle.

Strong Tower

Strong Tower Deluxe Edition

Although many contemporary artists choose to display evidence of their faith in a subtle way, this band puts their faith at the forefront of their music and lyrics. The band's name, in fact, is derived from their application of Romans 6:2, which states: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (NRSV). Kutless is a play on cut-less, which is how the band views people as a result of Christ - he took the cuts and punishment and set humanity free. Although not every band member was brought up in a Christian home, they are all staunch in their faith today, and each has had difficulties that they claim have only stretched and strengthened their faith, as well as adding new depths to their musical expression.

The track Strong Tower off the 2005 worship album of the same name was incredibly popular, reaching #1 on the worldwide radio show 20: The Countdown Magazine. The band isn't content to just sing about their faith; however, they reach out in numerous ways to help others in need, such as holding a benefit concert for Hurricane Katrina victims and visiting fans that are facing terminal illnesses.

Listen and Look

To get inside details on the band members, view and photos, watch videos, and listen and download songs, there are plenty of places on the net you can go to. Here is a brief listing of the best resources for the band:

• Kutless.com: Visit the official band site for upcoming tour information, in-depth individual bios, updates on current happenings, photos, song lyrics, wallpaper and buddy icons, and more.

• ExclusiveKutless: This 'secret' site is the home for all things related to the band's upcoming projects. Get news, exclusive photos, behind the scenes recording info. and sign up for the band newsletter.

• KutlessMySpace: Check out videos and communicate with other fans on the band's MySpace site.

• Christianity Today: Check out interviews with the band and read reviews on this online magazine.

• KutlessRocks: A forum for fans to discuss the band, music, song lyrics, and life among other topics.

• Christian Book.com: Get the albums, t-shirts, accompaniment CD's and more here.

• Download mp3s or buy the CD's at Amazon.com.

Kutless Albums

• 2002 Kutless
• 2004 Sea of Faces
• 2005 Strong Tower
• 2006 Hearts of the Innocent
• 2006 Live From Portland
• 2007 Strong Tower: Deluxe Edition

Other band credits include WOW Christmas 2005, video game Dance Praise tracks, a 2006 episode on NBC's Scrubs included "All Of The Words" from the band's Sea of Faces release, and Kutless videos were featured on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball.