Calumet was formed in Phoenix, Arizona by Eric “ET” Mobley (v/g/k) and Jason “JJ” Mitchell (g) in 2001, with Ian “Eon” White (b) and Brandon Amos (d). Over the next two years the lineup would change to include Chris “Basshead” Starks (b) and Joel “Boodat” Phillips (d). Originally a funk and soul cover band, Calumet began writing its own material soon after forming. The band cut its teeth playing bbq joints, parking lot festivals, and pool halls for a couple of years in Phoenix, Tempe, and Scottsdale.
In 2002, the band released their debut album, “Retro Energy” and played shows around Arizona, including stints at Martini Ranch, Livingston’s, and numerous other nightclubs and restaurants. During the next 7 years, a number of the Valley’s best musicians, including Marvin Scott (s), performed in Calumet. The band featured at clubs and festivals, and landed opening spots for Al Green, Kool & the Gang, and George Benson. Two more albums were issued, “The Musical Brothers of Calumet”, and “Rock Soul Funkateers”, before the band went on hiatus in 2009.
Calumet was reborn in 2018 with Eric and Jason reunited on their funky quest, and has performed extensively around Arizona since then. The band now features Josh Prior (b/v), Jeff Pivin (d), Rich Cross (t), plus early members Ian (now on percussion) and Marvin back in the fold. The band is bringing the Funk to the Valley of the Sun and beyond, with the “It’s What You Do” EP released in July of 2019 and a full album, "Life in Transition", in 2020.
During the 2020 pandemic, Calumet has been busy writing and recording. A new single, "This is How it Ends", made its debut in September, with an accompanying video, and other new songs will follow every 3-4 weeks.