page_title: Kutless
section_title: Early releases (2002–2007)
hierarchical_section_title: Kutless / History / Early releases (2002–2007)
context_page_description: Kutless is an American Christian rock band from Portland, Oregon formed in 1999. Since their formation, they have released multiple studio albums and one live album, Live from Portland. They have sold over 3 million records worldwide.
context_section_description: Kutless' first two singles from their self-titled debut album were "Your Touch" and "Run". The latter would hold the record for the longest-charting song in the history of the R&R Top 40 charts.
  Kutless had their touring debut between February and April 2003 when they opened up for Audio Adrenaline and MercyMe.
  In 2004, Kutless released their second full-length album Sea of Faces. The album peaked at No. 97 on the Billboard 200 chart. After selling over 250,000 copies, Kutless went on their first headlining tour, X 2004. That year, Kutless was scheduled to perform at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece, but could not make it because the airline canceled their flight.
  In 2005, Kutless played a Katrina Benefit Relief Concert in Portland, Oregon. They also released their first worship album, Strong Tower that peaked at No. 87 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. After recording but before release of Strong Tower, bassist Kyle Zeigler and drummer Kyle Mitchell left the band to form Verbatim Records, a nationally distributed record label based in the Portland, Oregon area. They were replaced with bassist Dave Luetkenhoelter and drummer Jeffrey Gilbert, who both came from the recently broken-up Christian rock band Seven Places. Kutless also went on the Strong Tower tour that year.
  The fourth album, Hearts of the Innocent, was released on March 21, 2006, peaking at No. 45 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart. The band followed up with a tour, also featuring Stellar Kart, Disciple, and Falling Up.
  On the March 28, 2006, an episode of NBC's Scrubs, "My Bright Idea", incorporated a significant portion of the song "All the Words" from Sea of Faces during the final scene. The episode hit an eleven-week ratings high, and was among the first Scrubs episodes that could be downloaded on iTunes. Laura Hutfless from the William Morris Agency said, "Placing the Kutless song, 'All the Words', on Scrubs was truly a team effort. We at William Morris were all very pleased with the way the song was incorporated into the television show and are thrilled that millions of Americans have now been exposed to this incredible band. I'm confident that this is only the beginning for Kutless as they continue to give their audience captivating and inspirational music and win new fans everyday." Kutless's video "Shut Me Out" has been placed on an exclusive Microsoft/Wal-Mart DVD give-a-way. Consumers who purchase the new Xbox game "The Apprentice," featuring Donald Trump, will receive a copy of Kutless's new video. This is estimated to be in the hands of 350,000 gamers. Plus, Target Stores announced that the "Shut Me Out" video will play nationwide in all stores on Target TV (Red Channel) beginning in May (from Big Machine Media). Suzuki Motor Corporation announced that it will be the sole sponsor of the band's Hearts of the Innocent tour.
  In May 2007, longtime Kutless guitarist Ryan Shrout decided to leave Kutless, after his daughter was diagnosed with a rare eye disease. Shrout chose to support his family during this time, and left Kutless to do so. Nick De Partee, who had been a tech for the band, took Shrout's spot. This left Jon Micah Sumrall as the only remaining original member, although James Mead had joined before the first album.
  The band's songs "Hearts of the Innocent" and "Beyond the Surface" are playable songs on the Christian Guitar Hero game called Guitar Praise. Their songs "Shut Me Out" and "Your Touch" were later featured in Guitar Praise's Expansion Pack 1. Their song "The Feeling" appears on the video game Rock Band 2 as an extra downloadable song. "Strong Tower" was added in 2011.
caption: James Mead, guitarist and backing vocalist
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