Kutless

In the nine years since the band started producing music, Kutless has broken all sorts of new ground stylistically, but kept a consistent mission: to reach the lost and minister to fellow believers through song.

The band was named after a specific Biblical passage in Romans that reminds us how Jesus took our cuts so we might be free indeed. Kutless’ first two singles “Your Touch” and “Run” were big radio hits that paved the way for many other rock-oriented groups that would follow in the future.

In 2004, after releasing its second album Sea of Faces, Kutless embarked on its first of many headlining tours with frontman Jon Micah Sumrall, lead guitarist James Mead, guitarist Ryan Shrout, bassist Dave Luetkenhoelter and drummer Jeffrey Gilbert.

Then, in a move that surprised longtime fans, Kutless made an unorthodox move into more worshipful territory highlighted by the title track "Strong Tower" on its third album. Proving that praising God could, indeed, rock, the album was a fan and Christian radio favorite.

After a few personnel changes including a new guitarist, Nick De Partee, the Oregon-based band has continued to forge onward. Its more recent hits "Shut Me Out," "Somewhere in the Sky," "What Faith Can Do" and "Everything I Need" showcases the diversity of the Oregon-based band. Through it all, Kutless' mission has remained consistent, topped off by it's latest album to be released in February of 2012, Believer (pre-order).

"What is the point of worship?" explains guitarist Nick De Partee in an interview with K-LOVE's Scott and Kelli. "We get saved and it’s an amazing moment. But God continues to carries you every day. 'Carry Me To The Cross' sums up the record in that, every day I wake up and I’m alive because of God. He chose to let me have another day to do what I want, to have choices. We all have choices of what we’re going to live our lives for.