KUTLESS Judge band on merit, members say

The band is happy with its growing following.
By JOHN BENSON
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Just because Kutless is a self-proclaimed Christian rock band doesn't mean the quintet can't blow the roof off a building with its high-energy sound.
In fact, there's no softening of approach for this Oregon-based group on its recently released fourth studio album "Hearts of the Innocent."
"We're just figuring out who we are as a band," said guitarist James Mead, calling from Tulsa, Okla. "Those softer songs [2004's "Sea of Faces"] that we've written have been very successful for us, but to be honest, those are the types of songs that Jon Micah Sumrall, our singer, is naturally good at writing."
Added Mead, "I, on the other hand, show more of an affinity for writing heavier rock songs so it's really a balance of being in a group and being a band. I'd say for this record, it's how we felt. We were really excited about what we were doing and we just wanted to make a record that really captured that and really captured how we are live."
Kutless began in 2000 and released its self-titled debut disc a year later. An incessant touring schedule followed with the band growing a large following through the quintessential grass-roots approach. Over the last five years, the outfit has performed more than 550 shows for an estimated 1.6 million people.
Where band plays
Considering it is a Christian rock act, Kutless gets invited to perform at clubs and theaters, as well as churches. It's the latter, which speaks to the heart of the band, that on occasion has lead to interesting experiences. Perhaps Mead's love of tattoos throws off more traditional youth group leaders who didn't expect a Christian rock band to actually look more secular rock than spiritual.
"Yeah, I've seen a lot of stuff regardless of denomination where we're just brought into the church and they are excited to have us there," Mead said. "There's still the select few situations where we get yelled at, get told that what we're doing is evil. It's mainly in e-mail form. Hardly anyone is courageous enough to say that to our faces."
Someday the members of Kutless, which brings its "The Hearts of Innocent" tour along with openers Falling Up, Disciple and Stellar Kart to the Mahoning Valley for a show Thursday at Warren's Packard Music Hall, hope audiences will judge the band more on its musical merit and less on the Christian rock label.
Said Mead, "I would eventually hope that people just know that we are Christian and that what we're doing is music and obviously since we love the Lord, that's what we want to be talking about."
For now, the band is just happy to remain a popular touring band with a growing fan base.
"It's a really fun show," Mead said. "All of the bands that are on this tour are amazingly talented. And our show is definitely a rock 'n' roll show. So come prepared to have a good time and hear some nice, loud music."