The Calling

The Calling
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres Post-grunge,[1][2] alternative rock
Years active 1999-2005, 2013
Labels SonyBMG/RCA
Past members Alex Band
Sean Kipe
Erick John
Jake Fehres
Art Pacheco
Aaron Kamin
Nate Wood
Billy Mohler
Sean Woolstenhulme
Dino Meneghin

The Calling was an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, best known for its hit single, "Wherever You Will Go". The group formed in 1999 and released two albums, Camino Palmero and Two, before breaking up 2005. Lead singer Alex Band reformed The Calling in 2013 with a new lineup that performed a few concerts before permanently breaking up.

History

Formation (1999-2000)

The band was formed by Alex Band (vocals) and Aaron Kamin (guitar) 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 that was twice their age. At this stage, the band also had 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.

Kamin and Band began focusing on songwriting more, and as Band's signature baritone voice began to mature, the duo began leaving demo tapes of new songs and ideas for Fair in his mailbox. They quickly found a similar sound amongst such ready-for-radio rock acts of the early 21st century 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 renewed sense of purpose.

Camino Palmero (2001)

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, largely with studio musicians. As the band advanced, Sean Woolstenhulme (formerly with Lifehouse) (guitars), Billy Mohler (bass), and Nate Wood (drums) were added in 2001[4] as extra musicians/touring musicians, and a few of the songs were re-recorded. 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." 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.[5]

Departures of Woolstenhulme, Mohler, and Wood (2002)

In June 2002, Woolstenhulme left The Calling;[6] he was later replaced by Dino Meneghin.[7] Mohler and Wood left in October 2002.[8][9] In November 2003, former members Wood and Mohler sued Band, Kamin, and the group's management accusing each of mismanagement, fraud, and asking for an audit of the money that was spent during their tenures in The Calling.[4] They claim they were promised a share of the royalties and profits from touring and merchandise in 2001-02.[4] Band and Kamin claimed the two were hired musicians and not entitled to royalties.[10]

The band's signature song, "Wherever You Will Go," was named the No. 1 Adult Pop song of the decade by Billboard magazine.[11]

Two (2004)

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 faced disappointing sales compared to their first album.

Disbandment (2005)

After a lengthy world tour in support of the album, Kamin and Band decided to put The Calling on indefinite hiatus after playing a farewell show in Temecula, California. Alex then began pursuing a solo career and has played occasional gigs since 2008 at times being mislabeled and mispromoted as "The Calling."

Temporary reforming (2013)

On August 15, 2013, Alex Band, together with Sean Kipe, announced that the band would be reforming with new members and performing their comeback gig at Bally's Atlantic City on August 17.[12][13][14] Their new bassist, Jake Fehres, was formerly a member of Astral Aliens, a two-time champion of KROQ-FM's Battle for Los Angeles.[15] After only a few shows the group went on a second hiatus and has since disbanded.

Members

Final lineup

Former members

Touring musicians

Discography

Studio albums

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. 1 2 3 Kaufman, Gil (2003-11-04). "The Calling Sued By Former Bandmates; Finish Second Album". MTV. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  5. ↑ http://www.geocities.com/smallvillelife/music.htm. Retrieved April 25, 2007. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ "LA Music Academy - Careers - Success Stories - Nate Wood". Los Angeles Music Academy. 2005. 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.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Archived May 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  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. ↑ "Astral Aliens". Ourstage.com. Retrieved 2014-07-14.
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