The Calling (band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1996 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Alex Band, Aaron Kamin |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Calling is a rock group originating from Los Angeles, California, established in 1996 by vocalist and guitarist Alex Band alongside guitarist Aaron Kamin. They gained widespread recognition with their 2001 hit single "Wherever You Will Go," which dominated the Adult Top 40 chart for 23 consecutive weeks—ranking as the second longest tenure at number one in the chart's history—and was later honored as the top track of the 2000s on Billboard’s Adult Pop Songs list. This song was the flagship single from their commercially successful debut album, Camino Palmero (2001), despite receiving mixed critical feedback.
Their follow-up album, Two (2004), included the lead track "Our Lives," which gained notable exposure through its inclusion in the 2004 Summer Olympics closing ceremony and the 78th Academy Awards. The band dissolved in 2005 but reunited in 2016 following an unsuccessful attempt to regroup in 2013. Over time, The Calling experienced several lineup changes, with Alex Band remaining as the only founding member.
Formation (1996–1999)
The inception of the band traces back to when Aaron Kamin, who was dating Alex Band’s sister, began collaborating with Band in 1996. Initially, they performed under the name "Generation Gap," featuring a jazz-oriented ensemble that included saxophonist Benny Golbin. After refining their musical style and briefly using the name "Next Door," they secured a development contract with RCA in 1999 and adopted the name The Calling.
Wherever You Will Go, Camino Palmero and lineup changes (2000–2002)
Although signed to RCA, Band and Kamin initially lacked a consistent touring group and faced challenges attracting label focus during the early 2000s pop music wave. Their demo "Wherever You Will Go" gained momentum after being featured in the film Coyote Ugly, leading RCA to invest significantly in producing their debut album over a two-year period.
Released on May 22, 2001, "Wherever You Will Go" achieved international acclaim, reaching number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and maintaining the top spot on the Adult Top 40 chart for an impressive 23 weeks—one of the longest runs recorded. Billboard later designated it as the decade’s leading Adult Pop song. The track was also used in television shows such as Smallville and promotional campaigns for Star Trek: Enterprise.
The debut album Camino Palmero, which came out on July 10, 2001, reached number 36 on the Billboard 200 chart and received RIAA Gold certification despite receiving a range of critical opinions. Follow-up singles "Adrienne" and "Could It Be Any Harder" saw moderate to limited chart success.
In 2002, guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme left and was succeeded by Dino Meneghin; simultaneously, bassist Billy Mohler and drummer Nate Wood departed amid internal disagreements.
Two and initial disbandment (2003–2005)
Work on their second studio album commenced in 2003 with a refreshed lineup. The band contributed "For You" to the soundtrack of Daredevil, performing it live on The Tonight Show. While it did not chart in the United States, it attained number 19 in Italy.
The lead single from their sophomore release, "Our Lives," debuted on March 29, 2004, gaining prominence through its use during both the Olympic closing ceremony and the Academy Awards. It reached number 34 on Billboard’s Top 40 chart and enjoyed international success. However, the album Two, released in June 2004, achieved only modest commercial results, peaking at number 54 on the Billboard 200. Its final single "Anything" had limited chart impact without substantial promotional support.
Following an extensive global tour but insufficient backing from their label, Alex Band and Aaron Kamin decided to dissolve The Calling in June 2005. Subsequently, Band embarked on a solo career path.
Brief reunion and subsequent split (2013)
In August 2013, Alex Band revived The Calling with fresh collaborators Sean Kipe, Jake Fehres, and Art Pacheco, soon followed by a reunion performance. Work on a new album had commenced in early 2012, intended for release through Universal.
During this timeframe, Band was reportedly kidnapped and assaulted in Michigan—an incident widely reported yet denied by him as a publicity ploy. Although the band engaged in some festival appearances and previewed new songs such as "Better," their resurgence was short-lived, leading to another disbandment after limited public exposure.
Third revival, lineup shifts, and touring (2016–2022)
In June 2016, Band introduced a Patreon platform to distribute demos and unreleased tracks. Later that year, The Calling reassembled with new personnel for international tours including stops in Manila and Australia—the latter delayed due to visa complications. By July 2017, they were supporting Lifehouse during an Australian reunion tour.
Band hinted at forthcoming new recordings toward the end of 2017. Early 2020 featured European tours across major markets like the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, and Austria, with plans to release orchestral renditions of their signature songs.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, The Calling announced a Latin American tour beginning December 2022, featuring dates in Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, and Mexico; several shows were later postponed to May 2023.
Updated lineup and forthcoming third studio album (2023–present)
April 2023 saw another personnel update with Daniel Damico returning on lead guitar and Dom Liberati joining on bass alongside Band. New music creation began with previews of tracks such as "Dust."
In August 2023, The Calling appeared at the Pop 2000 Tour in Las Vegas alongside artists including Chris Kirkpatrick and Smash Mouth. They also collaborated with BBH Singapore for Income Insurance’s "Protection" campaign, unveiling their first new single since 2004 titled "Fallin' Apart," accompanied by an official music video.
Late 2023 marked the start of recording sessions with producer John Fields for their anticipated third album scheduled for release in 2024. A Latin American tour consisting of 25 dates was announced along with the independent release of the lead single "Stand Up Now" on May 3, 2024; another track titled "Hold On Me" was teased during live performances.
In August 2024, Band disclosed that The Calling had secured management agreements with United Talent Agency (UTA) and CTK Enterprises as well as an undisclosed record deal, confirming that new material is expected to debut in early 2025.
Band composition and royalty conflicts
Despite being promoted by record executives as a five-piece rock group, founders Band and Kamin have consistently asserted that The Calling has primarily functioned as a duo supported by hired session and touring musicians.
In November 2003, former members Wood and Mohler filed a lawsuit against Band, Kamin, and management alleging mismanagement and fraud related to royalties from touring and merchandise sales. Both Band and Kamin refuted these claims; Kamin labeled the lawsuit as baseless and it was resolved quickly.
Dispute over trademark ownership
When reforming the band in 2013 without Kamin's involvement, lead vocalist Alex Band initiated legal action asserting that Kamin had forfeited trademark rights by withdrawing from public activities connected to The Calling. The suit accused Kamin of neglecting band responsibilities during promotion of their debut album. Kamin denied these allegations but indicated willingness to rejoin if invited. Although these legal disputes strained their relationship, they did not entirely rule out future collaboration opportunities.
Current lineup
- Alex Band – lead vocals (1996–2005, 2013, 2016–present); rhythm guitar and bass guitar (2016–present)
- Daniel Damico – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2004–2005, 2016, 2023–present)
- Dom Liberati – bass guitar (2023–present)
Present touring artists
- Ryan Levant – keyboards, backing vocals (2016–present)
- Joey Clement – bass guitar, backing vocals (2020–present)
Past members
- Aaron Kamin – lead guitar, backing vocals (1996–2005); bass guitar (2002–2005); rhythm guitar (2003–2005)
- Sean Woolstenhulme – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1996–2002)
- Billy Mohler – bass guitar (1996–2002)
- Nate Wood – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1996–2002)
- Dino Meneghin – rhythm guitar (2002–2003)
- Sean Kipe – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2013)
- Jake Fehres – bass guitar (2013)
- Art Pacheco – drums, percussion (2013)
- Daniel Thomson – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2016–2022)
- Travis Loafman – lead guitar, backing vocals (2016–2022)
Former touring artists
- Kaveh Rastegar – bass guitar (2004)
- Corey Britz – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2004–2005)
- Justin Derrico – lead guitar (2004–2005)
- Justin Meyer – drums, percussion (2004–2005)
- Al Berry – bass guitar (2016)
- Cubbie Fink – bass guitar, backing vocals (2016–2020)
Timeline
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LineData =
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</timeline>
Discography
- Albums in Studio
- Camino Palmero (2001)
- Two (2004)