(andPOP) - When Aaron Kamin and Alex Band of The Calling decided to name their upcoming album "Two," it was not just because it is their second album. They wanted the world to know that The Calling is a two-man band, despite what their fans may have been led to believe.
"We've gone through a lot of bands, a lot of different incarnations and all the while it's really just been Alex and I who started it and really were the reason for The Calling," Kamin, the guitarist, tells andPOP, on the line from his home recording studio in Los Angeles. "I think a lot of people with our last record didn't understand that." They didn't understand it because everything that the Calling did -- from interviews to appearances and even the record label-distributed photos -- featured five members.
Their record label wanted the The Calling to be perceived as a 5-person band. In doing so, they may have also convinced bassist Billy Mohler and drummer Nate Wood that they were full members. In November of last year, they sued Band, Kamin and their management company, claming they were mismanaged and seeking some of the band's profits.
"I was incredibly shocked," says Kamin, though he can't say much about the lawsuit since it has not yet been resolved. He did express hope that "everything works out for everyone."
After a lengthy search to find new members, they settled with drummer Justin Meyers, who has been friends with Kamin since they were in kindergarten; a bassist who goes by the name "V"; and Justin D'Errico on guitar.
This time, Band and Kamin made it clear to the new members that they weren't actual elements of The Calling, but rather part of their touring band. "We're making it blatantly obvious who The Calling is," Kamin says.
Band and Kamin met towards the end of the 90s when Band's sister began dating Kamin. The relationship didn?t work out, but it spawned a professional liaison between the two males. Though four years apart in age, Kamin and Band were signed to RCA and released their debut album, "Camino Palmero," in 2001. It took a few months before anyone began to take notice of the album, and for their breakout hit, "Wherever You Will Go," to catch on.
Another hit, "Adrienne," followed, winning Best New Rock Song at the Teen Choice Awards. They managed to sell over 2 million copies of their debut worldwide, but it was a strenuous process. The album was released in one country at a time, marketing and promoting it carefully but slowly. Their fans in North America began wondering why they hadn't heard any news for months, while the band was in Europe, gradually increasing their popularity.
"It was very tiring," Kamin recalls. "Way too many plane flights, way too much answering of the same question. You wonder why, especially with the internet and after hundreds and hundreds of interviews, people keep asking what's the band name and album title." He also started to miss home, his family, and friends. "You take your freedom for granted. Once you're on this whirlwind travel thing, it's not easy. You lose touch with a lot of people and then you have to put that back together when you get back."
When they started working on "Two" at the end of last year, they were joined in studio by the legendary Clive Davis, CEO of BMG, who worked on several tracks.
"You sit down with his legend who's way older than you and way more experienced than you," says Kamin. "What can I say to this guy?"
Kamin didn't have to do much of the talking. "The first thing that came out of his mouth was a story about him being in a caf? with John Lennon and Paul Simon. You look at him and you're like, 'are you serious?'
Davis overseas a massive roster of artists on the BMG label, but rarely is involved in the production process of an album. However, he didn't explain to the band why he decided to work with them, and they were so nervous that they didn't even ask.
"I think he really
got our music. He really understood that we're just trying to write more of a classical rock-pop style and it resonated with him and I think he saw a lot in our youth and hopefully in our potential."
Kamin explains this album has "more contemporary" music than their debut. "Sonically, you'll know it?s The Calling, but you'll know that we've taken a giant step forward in our songwriting and the production of music." He also feels that both he and Band have changed. "I think he has changed more than I have because he was so young, and still is so young. He's growing up."
When their debut came out, Band was just 18, yet had a shockingly deep and mature voice. Vocally, he sounds the same, as made evident by "Our Lives, the first single off "Two."
"It's about the crazy times we're all living in right now," says Kamin. "It's a reminder to stop and appreciate things in your life and other people's lives and try to make the best out of the time that we all have."
Since the album will be released in North America about three weeks after other parts of the world, fans may be too impatient and eager to hear it that they will resort to downloading. But Kamin has faith in his loyal audience.
"I'm confident that those who were destined to buy our record will still buy it because you want that tangible artwork and out art work is actually really cool."
With the possibility of success or failure for their sophomore album still a few weeks away, The Calling members have a busy schedule ahead. They will be promoting it and playing a few radio shows in April and May in North America, followed by a European tour in the summer. Then, they hope to return to North America for a tour.
For more on The Calling, visit their official site at thecallingband.com.
