February 16, 2025 - 832 views
Author: “The Don” Thatcher of FM 2.0 Conversations
Few bands capture the early 2000s post-grunge, radio-rock sound quite like The Calling. With their breakout smash, “Wherever You Will Go,” cementing them as household names, frontman Alex Band and company seemed poised for a long ride. But as quickly as they ascended, they faded into the background, their trajectory tangled in industry struggles, personal battles, and shifting lineups. Fast forward to today, and The Calling is no longer just Band’s vehicle—it’s a fully formed unit, revitalized with fresh energy and a brotherhood mentality.
Sitting down with FM2.0’s Don Thatcher, the trio—Alex Band (vocals), Dom Liberati (bass), and Daniel Damico (guitar)—opened up about their return, the deeply personal music they’re making, and what it’s like stepping back onto the stage after years in the shadows. From misdiagnosis to musical rebirth for Band, the past decade has been a turbulent one. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s at an alarmingly young age, he spent years believing his days in music were numbered. Then came the shock: the diagnosis was wrong. “I had a one-in-a-million thing happen... they couldn’t detect the disease anymore,” Band shared. The revelation was life-altering, rekindling a drive he thought was slipping away. “I wanted to come back out with The Calling and have a band of brothers, guys that I trust and love.” With that mission in mind, he linked up with Liberati and Damico, both seasoned musicians who bring not just technical prowess but an infectious passion. Finding their groove again, this isn’t just a reunion—it’s a reinvention. “The first half was really finding our groove... and the back half was us getting into new territory sonically,” Liberati revealed about their songwriting process. But even with new sounds emerging, some things remain the same. “It kind of has this feel that ‘Wherever You Will Go’ has... it gave me chills,” he admitted, teasing a track reminiscent of their signature anthemic style. Damico, who had stepped away from the music world for a while, echoed the sentiment of rediscovery. “I felt like the well was full of ideas and I had the excitement again.” Their chemistry as a trio, he noted, is unlike anything before: “The dynamic and the synergy of the three of us working together—I think it’s a great collaboration.” Back on the road and playing live, The Calling has always had an international reach, and that hasn’t changed. If anything, their fan base outside the U.S. has only grown stronger. Their recent South American tour proved just that. “It was my first time touring in Brazil... by the end of the tour, it felt like I was just playing with all my friends,” Liberati said, describing the deep, almost familial connection between the band and their fans. And while many bands rely on backing tracks and trickery, The Calling is committed to keeping it raw. “We really actually plug and played on all those shows... there’s nothing like the energy of playing live,” Liberati stated proudly. Damico doubled down, recalling the frustration of being forced to lip-sync at past events. “We always hated that... but we really played live whenever we could.” The Emotional Impact of Music Beyond the industry drama and the musical evolution, there’s an undeniable emotional core to The Calling’s return. For Band, hearing from fans who say the music saved their lives is humbling. “We hear so much from fans... ‘You saved my life.’ It’s hard to process, but it’s such an amazing feeling.” It’s that connection—between band and audience, between past and present—that makes this comeback feel less like a nostalgic cash grab and more like a necessary next step.
What’s Next? With a major tour on the horizon and new music that recaptures their essence while pushing forward, The Calling isn’t just back. They’re better, stronger, and more unified than ever. “We’re going to be joining up with some bigger artists,” Band teased about their upcoming plans, signaling that this next chapter isn’t just about looking back—it’s about forging something new. For a band that once defined a moment, The Calling is proving that their story isn’t finished. In fact, it’s just getting started.
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