Retro Insider - "Kutless"

We now get to talk about a band who has quickly made their mark in the music industry.  They are known for their distinct alternative rock sound and the deep growly voice of lead vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall... we're examining the career of Kutless from beginning to present. Currently, the band consists of vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall, lead guitarist James Mead, drummer Jeffrey Gilbert, bassist Dave Luekenhoelter, and guitarist Nick De Partee, although the members have changed over the years.
The band was formed in the 1999-2000 school year at Warner Pacific College (Portland Oregon), as a worship band called Call Box.  Admitting the songs were rough, the band, who all lived in the same house, practiced every day.  A chance encounter with Seth Ebel, founder of Tooth &Nail Records, landed them a tryout on September 11, 2001.  Being the only day Ebel could come, the band performed and then attended a prayer virgil.  The next day, the band prayed over their future and Jesus said "Go".  They signed with Tooth & Nail.  They were renamed Kutless derived from Romans 6:23.
In early 2002, the band released their self-titled LP.  They hit the road for 220 shows in a van and car.  By Spring, they had management, and by Fall, they had a bus.  In 2004, they released Sea of Faces.  They continued to tour heavily as headliners for the first time.  In 2005, the band released their first worship record called Strong Tower.  The album eventually went Gold. Songs included "Word of God Speak", the title track ("Strong Tower"), and "Take Me In".  During this time the revolving door of members began.  The band toured heavily again, this time catering to not only a younger audience, but families also.  In 2006, the band released Hearts of the Innocent.  They toured with Steller Kart, Disciple, and Falling Up.  They would also release a special edition version of the album that included extra tracks and a DVD of music videos.  The Hearts tour was documented forever with their first live CD/DVD set called Live from Portland, appropriately from where it all started.  Then, in 2007, the long time guitarist, Ryan Shrout, left the band to be with family when his daughter was diagnosed with a rare eye disease.  Nick de Partee replaced him.  Also in 2007, the band re-released Strong Tower as a deluxe edition.  The album contained three extra songs.  In 2008, they released To Know That You’re Alive. Songs included the title track, "Loud" and "The Disease and the Cure".  Lately, in 2009, the album, It Is Well was released.
Their work away from their music has made quite a mark on the world around them over the years.  In 2004, the band was scheduled to play at the Summer Olympics in Greece, however, the performance did not happen as the airline cancelled their flight.  In 2006, the NBC show "Scrubs" featured their song "All of the Words", and anyone who purchased "The Apprentice" on Xbox received a Kutless video for "Shut Me Out".
For more info, check out kutless.com