The Calling (band)

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The Calling
Alex Band performing live in 2020
Alex Band performing live in 2020
Background information
Also known as
  • Generation Gap (1996)
  • Next Door (1996–1999)
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1996–2005
  • 2013–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.alexbandmusic.com
Members
Past members
  • Aaron Kamin
  • Sean Kipe
  • Jake Fehres
  • Art Pacheco
  • Nate Wood
  • Billy Mohler
  • Sean Woolstenhulme
  • Dino Meneghin
  • Daniel Damico

The Calling is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1996 by lead singer and guitarist Alex Band and guitarist Aaron Kamin. The current, official lineup of the band (as of 2020) consists of Band, Daniel Thomson & Travis Loafman, the latter two both joining The Calling in 2016. They are best known for their hit single, "Wherever You Will Go", which topped the Adult Top 40 for 23 weeks, making it the second longest running number one in the chart’s history and later named the number one song of the decade of 2000s on the Adult Pop Charts by Billboard magazine. Their debut album Camino Palmero was released in July 2001 and was a commercial success.

Their second album Two, was released in June 2004. Its lead single "Our Lives" was featured in the closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics as well as the opening song of the 78th annual Academy Awards.

The band broke up in 2005, but in 2013, The Calling reformed with a new lineup.

History[]

Formation (1996-2000)[]

The band was formed by Alex Band (lead vocals) and Aaron Kamin (lead guitar, backing vocals) when Kamin was dating Band's sister.[3] Kamin and Band initially began jamming and writing songs as far back as 1996, and began gigging under the band name "Generation Gap" with a drummer who was twice their age. At this stage, the band also included saxophonist Benny Golbin, giving the songs a more jazzy sound reminiscent of Dave Matthews Band. Eventually, Band and Kamin ditched the "Gap" lineup, and briefly switched their name to "Next Door", which itself was a nod to Ron Fair, a veteran music business executive and Band's neighbor.

They quickly found their own sound amongst radio rock acts of the early 21st century such as Matchbox Twenty, Third Eye Blind, Train, and Fastball. By 1999, Fair was impressed enough by the demos to sign them to a record deal with RCA. They changed their name to "The Calling", which reflected the band's sense of purpose.[citation needed]

Camino Palmero and departures of Woolstenhulme, Mohler, and Wood (2001-2002)[]

While the RCA deal was a huge boost, it also created a new problem for Band and Kamin: they had no solid band and, thus, had hardly toured and built a fanbase. Rather than putting them out on the road and building regional support, Fair worked intensely with Band and Kamin for over two years perfecting the debut album. The Calling's first album was recorded from 1999–2001, with Sean Woolstenhulme (formerly with Lifehouse) (rhythm guitar), Billy Mohler (bass), and Nate Wood (drums).[4] The Calling's first album, Camino Palmero, was issued in July 2001 and quickly became a hit due to the strength of its single, "Wherever You Will Go", which was named the No. 1 Adult Pop song of the decade by Billboard magazine.[5] The song was featured prominently in the television series Smallville's first-season episode "Metamorphosis". It was also featured in the 2000 film Coyote Ugly with the group performing in the background in the first club scene, and in early trailers in 2001 for the Star Trek prequel series Enterprise. In an episode of the CBS television drama Cold Case, "Frank's Best", the song is played at the end of the episode. Camino Palmero ultimately sold more than five million copies worldwide and was certified gold in the United States.[6]

In June 2002, Woolstenhulme left The Calling.[7] His replacement was Dino Meneghin.[8] Mohler and Wood left in October 2002.[9][10] In November 2003, former members Wood and Mohler sued Band, Kamin, and the group's management, accusing them of mismanagement, fraud, and asking for an audit of the money that was spent during their tenures in The Calling.[4] They claimed that they were promised a share of the royalties and profits from touring and merchandise.[4] Band and Kamin claimed that the two were not entitled to any records of the royalties.[11]

Two and first breakup (2004-2005)[]

In June 2004, the group returned with Two. The album had three singles and accompanying videos: "Our Lives", "Things Will Go My Way", and "Anything". However, Two had disappointing sales compared to their first album.

After a lengthy world tour in support of the album, Kamin and Band decided to disband The Calling. They played a farewell show in Temecula, California on June 6, 2005. Alex then began pursuing a solo career and played occasional shows.

Temporary reunion and second breakup (2013)[]

On August 15, 2013, Alex Band reformed The Calling with new members. The band performed their comeback gig at Bally's Atlantic City on August 17.[12][13][14] On August 18, Band was reportedly abducted by two men that robbed him, beat him severely, and dumped him on train tracks in Lapeer, Michigan. He was taken to an emergency room at a nearby hospital, where he was treated and released.[15] After only a few shows, the group broke up again.

Upcoming material (2016-present)[]

In October 2016, The Calling reformed with a new lineup and performed in Manila, Philippines the following month. The Australian company "Unbreakable Touring" announced that the band were to perform in areas such as Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle along with the rock band Juke Kartel and newcomer Mike Waters, but this was later postponed due to visa issues. In July 2017 it was announced that The Calling would be joining Lifehouse as support acts for Live's Australian leg of their world reunion tour.[16]

Band said in an interview with Australian music website "may the rock be with you" in November 2017 that The Calling will be releasing new music soon.[17]

Whilst on tour in February 2020 Band spoke in a video interview presentation with Welsh podcast SteegCast, in the video Band speaks of his future music plans and talks of new material, including even at some point releasing orchestral workings of some of The Calling's best known songs.

Musical influences[]

The band has cited that their influences include bands such as Pearl Jam, Bon Jovi, Live, Train, and U2.

Band members[]

Timeline[]

Discography[]

Main article: The Calling discography
Studio albums

Awards[]

Year Association Work Category Result
2002 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party[18] Themselves Best Rock Act Won
Best International Act Nominated
Best Newcomer on Planet Pop Nominated
MTV Europe Music Award Best New Act Won
NRJ Music Award International Duo/Group of the Year Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music: Breakout Artist Nominated
"Wherever You Will Go" Choice Music: Love Song Nominated
"Adrienne" Choice Music: Rock Track Won
Billboard Music Awards Themselves Hot 100 Singles Duo/Group of the Year Nominated
New Pop Artist of the Year Nominated
Top Hot Adult Top 40 Artist Won
"Wherever You Will Go" Top Adult Top 40 Track Won
Top Hot 100 Song Nominated
Top Hot 100 Airplay Track Nominated
Top 40 Track of the Year Nominated
MTV Video Music Brazil[19] Best International Video Nominated
2003 BDSCertified Spin Awards 500,000 Spins Won
BMI Pop Awards[20] Award-Winning Song Won
APRA Music Awards Most Performed Foreign Work Nominated
2004 MTV Video Music Brazil[21] "Our Lives" Best International Video Nominated

References[]

  1. ^ "Alex Band". billboard.com. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  2. ^ Greg Prato. "The Calling | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  3. ^ Staff reporter (2004-08-18). "Calling returns with new album, outlook". Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-11-25. The duo met when Kamin, then a premed student at UCLA, began dating Band’s sister.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c Kaufman, Gil (2003-11-04). "The Calling Sued By Former Bandmates; Finish Second Album". MTV. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  5. ^ "Adult Pop Songs". Archived from the original on May 31, 2012.
  6. ^ http://www.geocities.com/smallvillelife/music.htm. Retrieved April 25, 2007. Missing or empty |title= (help)[dead link]
  7. ^ "For The Record: Quick News On Stone Cold Steve Austin, Foxy Brown, The Calling, Cam'ron & More". MTV. 2002-06-17. Retrieved 2008-11-25. Sean Woolstenhulme, guitarist for the Calling, is leaving the band to join his brother Rick Woolstenhulme in Lifehouse.
  8. ^ "The Calling". Rock on the Net. 1997–2006. Retrieved 2009-09-17. Woolstenhulme left the band to join his brother's group Lifehouse. He was replaced by Dino Meneghin.
  9. ^ "LA Music Academy - Careers - Success Stories - Nate Wood". Los Angeles Music Academy. 2005. Archived from the original on 2005-01-21. Retrieved 2008-11-25. Nate left The Calling in October of '02 to join Kneebody, and to record a solo album at home on a Rolands 1680, singing and playing all the instruments himself.
  10. ^ "Biography". Beepworld. n.d. Retrieved 2009-09-17. But unfortunately Billy and Nate decided to quit The Calling on 31st October 2002 as well and even sued Alex and Aaron and their management for fraud and mismanagement and asking for an accounting of funds during the time, that they spent in the band.
  11. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (2004-01-27). "The Calling Call Former Bandmates' Suit 'Dirty,' Prepare New Single". MTV. Retrieved 2008-11-25. The Calling contend that Mohler and Wood were hired guns and therefore not entitled to royalties.
  12. ^ "Twitter / alex_band: BOOM. @TheCallingMusic is BACK!". Twitter.com. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  13. ^ "Video! The Calling Returns with Fresh Take on 'Wherever You Will Go'". ExtraTV.com. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  14. ^ "Twitter / TheCallingMusic: The news you have been waiting". Twitter.com. 2013-08-15. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
  15. ^ Sacks, Ethan (August 19, 2013). "The Calling singer Alex Band severely beaten after being abducted in van". NY Daily News. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  16. ^ "LIVE Announce 2017 Australian Tour Dates With Original Lineup - Music Feeds". Music Feeds. 2017-07-13. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  17. ^ "Alex Band of The Calling - maytherockbewithyou.com". maytherockbewithyou.com. 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2017-11-19.
  18. ^ "www.smashhits.net". web.archive.org. December 5, 2004.
  19. ^ http://mtv.uol.com.br/programas/programadovmb/arquivovmb/vmb-2002
  20. ^ "2003 BMI Pop Awards: Song List". BMI.com. May 13, 2003.
  21. ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20111028233751/http://vmb.mtv.uol.com.br/vmbpedia/2004

External links[]


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