Interview
Kutless Interview
- Author:
- Review Date:
- 1/11/2004 15:26:47
Kutless combine sincere and plaintive vocals with absorbing, dynamically intense new hard rock. Coming off a successful tour supporting the world famous O.C. Supertones, this young Portland, Oregon band has delivered an inspired and inspirational self-titled debut album on BEC Recordings.
Produced and engineered by Aaron Sprinkle [Poor Old Lu, Stavesacre, Squad 5-0] at Compound Studios in Seattle, Kutless has recorded eleven of the compelling songs with which they recently thrilled the Supertones audiences, including 'In Me,' 'Grace And Love,' 'Vow,' 'Saved,' and 'Dry.'
These tracks feature strong vocals from compelling frontman Jon-Micah Sumral who, at the tender age of 20, has a voice as reasonant as those for Creed or Third day, firing music as sharp and aggressing as Incubus or Puddle of Mudd, and showing why Kutless was an energetic addition to the Supertones' tour.
'They were great to us!' says monster-drummer Kyle Mitchell [also 20], still excited by recently playing out with the band that first inspired him to play Christian music. 'The Supertones were very encouraging and fun to be around. I got the chance to sound check lead vocals for Mojo [Matt Morginsky], and the whole band joined them on stage for their performance of 'United' at the last show of the tour.'
Kutless was formed in Portland in 1999 when bass player Stu[23] had come out from North Dakota to attend college, and met fellow student Kyle, Ryan[20,guitar], and Jon-Micah on campus. They soon played music at the church they attended, Athey Creek, and found in their shared love for music by bands like Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Incubus, and Creed a unity of purpose and a musical voice of their own. Since then, they added youngest member James Mead, 19, who had already been performing in a popular general market band in the region.
Last year Kutless realized that they wanted to stop going to college [for the most part] and focus everything on the band, and since that time doors have opened for them. The band lives in a group house where they still have frequent basement parties, inviting everyone they know to come enjoy the music they make and the radical message they want to share with the world.
In their short existence Kutless has played many shows in the Pacific Northwest, headlining the Extreme Days tour when it came through Portland last year, and have made several live radio appearances. They've opened for Switchfoot, and performed a slow at the HardRockPunkFest.
But after all the acclaim that the band has garnered, Kutless still put on free shows when they can, as well as playing benefits for battered women and children, and for cancer treatment.
The band has a serious statement for the world to hear, and a powerful sound that will persuade people to hear it.
'God has been showing us many things lately,' Kyle says, reflecting on their recent excitement on tour and recording. 'I would have to say that one of the things He has been showing us the most is that He is in total control of our band. If the Lord has something for us, we know it will come to pass. We have seen many doors open and many so-call random occurrences come together, and we know it has been one hundred percent God.'
Kutless: We wanted our name to represent the impact of what Christ did for us on the cross. Christ took our beating and paid the wages of our sin [Romans 6:23]. He took our cuts for us, leaving us 'Kutless.'
How would you describe the musical
Kutless: I feel the album is very well-rounded; fast, slow, hard, and soft. You can definately hear our influences, but I believe we do have our own unique sound. The music is a blend of aggressive music with emotional melodic lyrics and singing. Expect challenging vertical lyrics, intense riffs and overall rock and roll.
Kutless: We are taking a break in August & September to record the new album. We have some shows on the weekend, and after Festival con Dios we might work on it some more before we release it.
Kutless: I would have to say 'Run' is my favorite song. It has a cool down loop that our producer Aaron Sprinkle and I came up with, and when combined with my live 'hip-hop' drum influence, has a cool groove. The live string work is stunning, the lyrics are very touching and gosh darn it people like it!
Kutless: This may sound weird, but I think I may know more talented people than anybody else, and they are all from our home area. Kutless has had their hand in the discovery of four new Christian bands and artists. Jon Micah, our singer, grew up with the band Seven Places, whose record just dropped on BEC Recordings. There are three artists coming in late fall/spring called Falling Up, Ben Hulbur and Jeffrey Scott that are some of my best friends in the world. So, I would have to say that a Kutless, Seven Places, Falling Up, Ben Hulbur & Jeffrey Scott tour would be about as good as it gets.
Kutless: No way! College is always here & after all - it was the tool God used to bring us together.
Kutless: Switchfoot [all four] - Yellow Album to Beautiful Letdown
Kutless: God's love for all of us!
Kutless: Playing music/doing what we love.
Kutless: Aaron Sprinkle our producer...He is the man!
Kutless: We want to say thank you. The support has been more than we ever imagined. Oh, and wait till you hear the next record!!
Kutless CD Review
Three Favorites:
#1 Your Touch
Lead vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall reveals the outcome for those who look to the world for peace instead of looking to God. In the rock song, 'Your Touch', he sings, 'Not knowing why I ever retreated from Your arms, A mistake I made.' During the times when we realize that we made this mistake, we can, according to the lyrics in the bridge, 'look into the sky and see His arms of love reaching out for you.' These lyrics, accompanied by the intensity of the drums and the shocking scream of the word 'Touch' encourages those who are choosing their own path to reach out for His touch.
#3 Run
The question, 'Why do you run' is asked as Kyle Mitchell plays the drums and Phil Peterson joins him on the cello, demonstrating their instrumental abilities. This song, entitled, 'Run', is God speaking to us asking why we put other things before Him and do not spend this time with Him. In the bridge God tells us:
'I'm waiting here, missing the times,
the times we shared, oh please come to me.'
Kutless shows incredible insight as they sing of God's perspective as He waits until we come to spend time with Him. The reason He waits is stated in the last line of Kutless' song, 'Run', when He says:
'I just, just want to be with you,
to be with you.'
#6 Down
Many listeners of Kutless' song, 'Down', 'rock out' to the chorus as they sing along to the story of:
'A young girl' who ' walks into her room and
doesn't like what she sees in her reflection there.'
It addresses the issue of trying to be somebody else because you are unhappy with who you are. This song's variation between a soft rock beat and a faster, louder rock beat produced by the electric guitar accompanies the song's message that God will lead you away from addictions and obsessions that come from an unhealthy desire to be what the world says you should be. In fact, you should be who God made you to be.
Opinion of Album:
Kutless' self-titled album is a good buy for all those who love rrock music. The lyrics cover a wide range of issues and circumstances that allow every listener to find at least one song the can relate to. I give it a 4 because a lot of the songs are alike, but for the most part it is a great cd with strong instrumental talent.
Kutless Website
Kriselen Entertainment
Produced and engineered by Aaron Sprinkle [Poor Old Lu, Stavesacre, Squad 5-0] at Compound Studios in Seattle, Kutless has recorded eleven of the compelling songs with which they recently thrilled the Supertones audiences, including 'In Me,' 'Grace And Love,' 'Vow,' 'Saved,' and 'Dry.'
These tracks feature strong vocals from compelling frontman Jon-Micah Sumral who, at the tender age of 20, has a voice as reasonant as those for Creed or Third day, firing music as sharp and aggressing as Incubus or Puddle of Mudd, and showing why Kutless was an energetic addition to the Supertones' tour.
'They were great to us!' says monster-drummer Kyle Mitchell [also 20], still excited by recently playing out with the band that first inspired him to play Christian music. 'The Supertones were very encouraging and fun to be around. I got the chance to sound check lead vocals for Mojo [Matt Morginsky], and the whole band joined them on stage for their performance of 'United' at the last show of the tour.'
Kutless was formed in Portland in 1999 when bass player Stu[23] had come out from North Dakota to attend college, and met fellow student Kyle, Ryan[20,guitar], and Jon-Micah on campus. They soon played music at the church they attended, Athey Creek, and found in their shared love for music by bands like Staind, Puddle of Mudd, Incubus, and Creed a unity of purpose and a musical voice of their own. Since then, they added youngest member James Mead, 19, who had already been performing in a popular general market band in the region.
Last year Kutless realized that they wanted to stop going to college [for the most part] and focus everything on the band, and since that time doors have opened for them. The band lives in a group house where they still have frequent basement parties, inviting everyone they know to come enjoy the music they make and the radical message they want to share with the world.
In their short existence Kutless has played many shows in the Pacific Northwest, headlining the Extreme Days tour when it came through Portland last year, and have made several live radio appearances. They've opened for Switchfoot, and performed a slow at the HardRockPunkFest.
But after all the acclaim that the band has garnered, Kutless still put on free shows when they can, as well as playing benefits for battered women and children, and for cancer treatment.
The band has a serious statement for the world to hear, and a powerful sound that will persuade people to hear it.
'God has been showing us many things lately,' Kyle says, reflecting on their recent excitement on tour and recording. 'I would have to say that one of the things He has been showing us the most is that He is in total control of our band. If the Lord has something for us, we know it will come to pass. We have seen many doors open and many so-call random occurrences come together, and we know it has been one hundred percent God.'
Interview
How did you guys come up with the name Kutless?
Kutless: We wanted our name to represent the impact of what Christ did for us on the cross. Christ took our beating and paid the wages of our sin [Romans 6:23]. He took our cuts for us, leaving us 'Kutless.'
How would you describe the musical
Kutless: Our Tell us a little about the album, what can people expect when they pick up one?
Kutless: Our
Kutless: I feel the album is very well-rounded; fast, slow, hard, and soft. You can definately hear our influences, but I believe we do have our own unique sound. The music is a blend of aggressive music with emotional melodic lyrics and singing. Expect challenging vertical lyrics, intense riffs and overall rock and roll.
You guys have been on the go touring for the last few months. What do you plan to do for the little break you get before you go on the Festival Con Dios tour?
Kutless: We are taking a break in August & September to record the new album. We have some shows on the weekend, and after Festival con Dios we might work on it some more before we release it.
What is your favorite song on your album, and why do you think it is your favorite?
Kutless: I would have to say 'Run' is my favorite song. It has a cool down loop that our producer Aaron Sprinkle and I came up with, and when combined with my live 'hip-hop' drum influence, has a cool groove. The live string work is stunning, the lyrics are very touching and gosh darn it people like it!
If you could put together your own tour, who would be in the line-up?
Kutless: This may sound weird, but I think I may know more talented people than anybody else, and they are all from our home area. Kutless has had their hand in the discovery of four new Christian bands and artists. Jon Micah, our singer, grew up with the band Seven Places, whose record just dropped on BEC Recordings. There are three artists coming in late fall/spring called Falling Up, Ben Hulbur and Jeffrey Scott that are some of my best friends in the world. So, I would have to say that a Kutless, Seven Places, Falling Up, Ben Hulbur & Jeffrey Scott tour would be about as good as it gets.
Was it a difficult decision leaving college to concentrate on the band full time? Any regrets?
Kutless: No way! College is always here & after all - it was the tool God used to bring us together.
What C.D. would we find in your C.D. player right now?
Kutless: Switchfoot [all four] - Yellow Album to Beautiful Letdown
When you guys made this record, what there one message you wanted to get across in it?
Kutless: God's love for all of us!
Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Kutless: Playing music/doing what we love.
Who is that one person you would thank, knowing that without them you wouldn't be where you are now?
Kutless: Aaron Sprinkle our producer...He is the man!
What message would you like to give all your fans out there?
Kutless: We want to say thank you. The support has been more than we ever imagined. Oh, and wait till you hear the next record!!
Review
Kutless CD Review
Three Favorites:
#1 Your Touch
Lead vocalist Jon Micah Sumrall reveals the outcome for those who look to the world for peace instead of looking to God. In the rock song, 'Your Touch', he sings, 'Not knowing why I ever retreated from Your arms, A mistake I made.' During the times when we realize that we made this mistake, we can, according to the lyrics in the bridge, 'look into the sky and see His arms of love reaching out for you.' These lyrics, accompanied by the intensity of the drums and the shocking scream of the word 'Touch' encourages those who are choosing their own path to reach out for His touch.
#3 Run
The question, 'Why do you run' is asked as Kyle Mitchell plays the drums and Phil Peterson joins him on the cello, demonstrating their instrumental abilities. This song, entitled, 'Run', is God speaking to us asking why we put other things before Him and do not spend this time with Him. In the bridge God tells us:
'I'm waiting here, missing the times,
the times we shared, oh please come to me.'
Kutless shows incredible insight as they sing of God's perspective as He waits until we come to spend time with Him. The reason He waits is stated in the last line of Kutless' song, 'Run', when He says:
'I just, just want to be with you,
to be with you.'
#6 Down
Many listeners of Kutless' song, 'Down', 'rock out' to the chorus as they sing along to the story of:
'A young girl' who ' walks into her room and
doesn't like what she sees in her reflection there.'
It addresses the issue of trying to be somebody else because you are unhappy with who you are. This song's variation between a soft rock beat and a faster, louder rock beat produced by the electric guitar accompanies the song's message that God will lead you away from addictions and obsessions that come from an unhealthy desire to be what the world says you should be. In fact, you should be who God made you to be.
Opinion of Album:
Kutless' self-titled album is a good buy for all those who love rrock music. The lyrics cover a wide range of issues and circumstances that allow every listener to find at least one song the can relate to. I give it a 4 because a lot of the songs are alike, but for the most part it is a great cd with strong instrumental talent.
Kutless Website
Kriselen Entertainment