Switchfoot
Table of contents
[MISSING: tagline]
Table of contents
- 1. Band History
- 1.1. The Beautiful Letdown
- 1.2. Nothing Is Sound
- 1.3. Oh! Gravity.
- 1.4. New Album
- 2. Influences
- 3. Other projects
- 4. Additional information
- 5. Awards
- 5.1. Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards
- 5.2. ASCAP Awards
- 5.3. GMA Dove Awards
- 5.4. San Diego Music Awards
- 6. Switchfoot - "Only Hope"
- 7. Upcoming Events
- 8. In The Blogosphere
- 9. External Links
Switchfoot is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band from San Diego, California, United States. The current members are Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), and Drew Shirley (guitar). Known for their energetic live show, the three guitarists in the line-up often operate simultaneously, building on the pop sensibilities of Jon's songwriting, and, rounded out by Jerome's work on the synthesizer, bringing his industrial roots to the sound, the band works up "the Switchfoot sound" - a melodic crunch of densely layered sound featuring some electronic experimentation, and often driven by hard-charging guitar riffs, while throwing in a few softer, spacey ballads as well.
| Switchfoot first gained mainstream recognition after the inclusion of four of their songs in the 2002 movie A Walk to Remember. This recognition led to their major label debut, The Beautiful Letdown, which was released in 2003 and sold over 2.6 million copies as well as featuring their best-known singles, "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move". |  |
According to Jon Foreman, the name "Switchfoot" is a surfing term. "We all love to surf and have been surfing all our lives so to us, the name made sense. To switch your feet means to take a new stance facing the opposite direction. It's about change and movement, a different way of approaching life and music".
Band History
Switchfoot was founded in 1996 as "Chin Up", consisting of Jon and his brother Tim, along with Chad on the drums. After playing only a few shows, in 1997, the band was contacted by Charlie Peacock, and signed to his re:think Records, a division of Sparrow Records, under the current moniker "Switchfoot". Re: think would distribute their first three albums, The Legend of Chin, New Way to Be Human and Learning to Breathe.
Of Switchfoot's first three albums Learning to Breathe was the most successful. The album was certified gold by the RIAA, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album.
In 2002 Switchfoot had a large role in the music for the movie A Walk to Remember. Singer and actress Mandy Moore, who starred in the movie, sang Switchfoot's song "Only Hope" during a scene in the movie. The movie's sound track also featured a duet with Mandy Moore and Jon Foreman, and as many as four other Switchfoot songs, besides Mandy Moore's cover of "Only Hope".
The Beautiful Letdown
In early 2003 Switchfoot released their major label debut, The Beautiful Letdown, representing the band's evolution from the predominantly lo-fi, indie rock sound of their early albums, toward a more layered, synth-influenced sound that helped launch the band to mainstream popularity. This could be attributed to the fact that the album was the first to include keyboardist Jerome Fontamillas, formerly of industrial bands Mortal and Fold Zandura. Jerome had been touring with Switchfoot since 2000, following the release of Learning to Breathe.
The Beautiful Letdown has been certified double-platinum, and went on to sell more than 2.6 million copies,[8] on the strength of constant touring and huge radio hits "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move" (which received a Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award in 2005). A DVD of the band's live concert, Live in San Diego, went platinum as well. "This Is Your Life" was also released as a radio single, and the song "Gone" has received airplay on Christian radio stations as well, despite not being released as an actual single. In 2005, Switchfoot received five Dove Award nominations, and won four, including Artist of the year.
Nothing Is Sound
In 2005 prior to the release of Nothing Is Sound Switchfoot announced that guitarist Drew Shirley had become the band's fifth member after touring with Switchfoot since 2003. Nothing Is Sound, was released on September 13, 2005, and with Drew's inclusion saw Switchfoot's sound become even more densely layered and guitar-heavy, resulting in an album that was edgier and darker than any of their previous works. To promote this album Switchfoot had previously released "Stars" as a radio single, which was played on many mainstream radio stations.
"We Are One Tonight" was released as a single in early 2006.
The album debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, an all-time high for the band, while bassist Tim Foreman attracted headlines by speaking out against the copy-protection used by the label and providing fans a detailed workaround on the band's message board, which was quickly deleted by Sony. This copy-protection is known as Extended Copy Protection, which has been identified by leading anti-virus companies as a trojan horse and a rootkit.
In Spring of 2006 the band introduced "a video diary of life on the road" in the form of freely downloadable video podcasts available via iTunes. In addition to featuring snippets of upcoming songs and live performances, the videos give fans an inside look at the more casual and humorous aspects of the band members' touring lives, as well as the band working on their upcoming album.
Oh! Gravity.
Switchfoot's most recent album Oh! Gravity. was released on December 26, 2006, earning considerable critical acclaim. It entered the Billboard chart at #18 and peaked at #1 on iTunes' Top Albums chart.
Prior to the release of the album, on June 2, Switchfoot e-mailed a newsletter containing a free download of "Daylight to Break" and a statement from Tim implying that the band wanted to have a new album out by the end of the year, as well as a thanks to their fans for helping keep the band together for ten years. The band tried to involve their fans in the creation of the album, setting up a webcam in their recording studio, and running a contest to give fans a chance to win an opportunity to play a cowbell part in the studio with the band.
To promote the album, the band first released the song, "Dirty Second Hands," via iTunes on September 26. The title song "Oh! Gravity" was also prereleased on iTunes on October 21, then as the album's first single, and then for radio on October 31, later premiering the music video on Yahoo! Music on November 13, 2006. The single enjoyed moderate success on the alternative and modern rock charts. The album's second single is "Awakening". The video for that song received over one million hits on YouTube in less than three months.
The band also performed at the "Rock the Boat" Concert at the Evan Almighty movie premiere.
New Album
In the summer of 2007, Switchfoot began working on a new album. Jon Foreman posted a myspace blog, on July 28, indicating that a new album from the band was in the works, saying that "Yes, it was there that I let the cat out of the bag- we're tracking a few tunes for the next projecto this week. Can't wait. ridiculous."
According to FMQB, a spring 2008 release date is likely. On August 10th Jon said that Switchfoot will release the album as an Indie band, stating that the band had severed ties with Columbia.
Influences
Switchfoot's frontman and guitarist Jon Foreman cites his musical influences as U2, The Police, The Beatles, James Taylor, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ronny Jordan, Miles Davis, Keith Green and Nirvana. Guitarist Drew cites U2, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Walker, Phil Keaggy, Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews Band and the Brand New Heavies, while bassist Tim pays tribute to Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder. Chad also cites Stevie Wonder as his main influence, besides Dave Grohl. Though they draw from a varied number of influences, they sound very different from any of their heroes. “We’ve never fit in any of the genre boxes,” says Jon. “I think that diversity is our strength”.
Songwriters like Bono, Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash have inspired Jon's soul-searching lyrics. "We try to make music for thinking people," he mentions, which is evident in his allusions to the works of philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Augustine of Hippo in the songs "Sooner or Later (Soren's Song)" and "Something More (Augustine's Confession)" respectively. "Meant to Live", the band's runaway hit, was inspired by T. S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men", while "Stars", the lead single off Nothing Is Sound, briefly "looks at things from the Descartes perspective," according to Jon.
Switchfoot and Christian music
Switchfoot is often referred to as a "Christian band", mostly due to their involvement with the Christian rock scene in their early days. But the band has always shunned this label. "For us, it's a faith, not a genre", says Jon Foreman. "We've always been very open and honest about where the songs are coming from. For us, these songs are for everyone. Calling us 'Christian rock' tends to be a box that closes some people out and excludes them. And that's not what we're trying to do. Music has always opened my mind — and that's what we want". Duly, Jon's lyrics steer clear of preachiness, exclusive declarations of faith, or even any mention of Jesus Christ; instead questioning the status quo, probing existential issues through "Socratic dialogue" in which he answers questions with more questions, exploring frustrations, or simply being inspirational. This approach has resulted in them often being described as a "thinking person's" band. Jon's poetry is acclaimed by fans and critics alike for its heartfelt honesty, which is evident in his appraisal of the human condition, and in his willingness to not just embrace his faith, but to express doubt as well.
As a result, the band's fan base transcends different beliefs and lifestyles. "As a musician I guess the only thing I would ask from a listener is to put the CD in, close your eyes and forget about all the peripherals," says Jon Foreman. "I guess that's a dream that may not happen in my lifetime, but I listen to music from all sorts of people and I think there is an open-minded individual who will be able to listen to music of all types." Though they hold this position, they have not alienated their Christian fans. As in their indie days, they are still distributed to Christian retail outlets through Sparrow Records, thereby being featured on Christian radio and charts, and presented Dove Awards, despite currently being signed to Columbia Records, a mainstream label. "[Signing to Columbia was] a realization of something that we'd wanted to be from the beginning," Jon explains. "When we were signed to re:think Records [an indie label], the goal was to get the music out to everybody. [But] when Sparrow [a Christian label] bought re:think Records, it was evident that our music wasn't going to be in the hands of everybody. As a Christian, I have a lot to say within the walls of the church. But also, as a Christian, I've got a lot to say just about life in general ... So to be able to be on Columbia and on Sparrow felt like the realization of the two sides of what we had to say. It's a dream come true to be able to have songs that are outside of the box."
Following the release of The Beautiful Letdown, the band temporarily stopped playing at Christian festivals and doing interviews with Christian based organizations, as they found the speculation about their faith to be distracting from the music. Three years later, as they garnered increasing respect as a rock band rather than a "Christian band", Switchfoot began going back on their boycott, headlining at large Christian-based music festivals, and relenting to be featured on the June 2006 cover of CCM Magazine, after declining the opportunity for years. Yet in many ways they used the opportunity to describe their split from the CCM industry. This has caused some, such as Spin writer Andrew Beaujon, to take the view that "their lyrics often have two different meanings, one meaning for a Christian audience and one meaning for the rest of us. They try to relate to two different groups of people at once".
In late 2006, Switchfoot made news for covering the song "Sorrow" from Bad Religion, a band known for their lyrics critical of Christianity and organized religion.
Other projects
Switchfoot has been actively involved in a number of humanitarian causes, including DATA, the ONE Campaign, the Keep A Breast Foundation, Invisible Children and To Write Love on Her Arms. In addition to supporting those causes Switchfoot has fronted the Switchfoot Bro-Am Surf Contest and the online magazine lowercase people.
The Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am Surf Contest is a benefit contest and concert run by the band to raise money for Care House and Casa de Amparo, organizations serving homeless kids the band's hometown of San Diego. Also, before recording Nothing Is Sound the band made a trip to several South African villages, which inspired the album's song "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine". Seeing things like an orphanage filled with infants who all lost their parents to AIDS, palling around with orphans in the streets, and getting involved with a children's choir called "Kuyasa Kids" moved them to start an ambitious organization called lowercase people. The organization publishes a quarterly online magazine for music, arts and social justice. They have also produced a CD by the Kuyasa Kids so that the kids can be empowered by making money for their communities.
Additional information
- E. E. Kennedy, a film student at USC, made a documentary on Switchfoot, titled "Everything to Lose", which follows Switchfoot's life on tour and at home. There are no plans for the film to be released, but was shown at various film festivals around the US in 2003. Some of its footage was later used in the Switchfootage DVD.
- Throughout The Legend of Chin CD booklet, there are pictures of an Asian boy, identified only as "Chin". When Jerome joined the band, many believed him to be Chin, because of his Asian descent. However, Chin is in fact Willis Chin, a good friend of the members of Switchfoot.
- Jon and Tim were in a Led Zeppelin cover band in Junior High.
- Jon and Tim Foreman were also in a punk-rock band called "ETC" before forming Switchfoot. However, the band only lasted "one month" after they printed their first CD.
- Switchfoot endorses Atticus and Macbeth Footwear, fashionwear companies influenced by music and run by musicians. The band also appeared in a Rolling Stone ad campaign for the Honda Civic Hybrid.
- Switchfoot tries to make their concerts affordable for fans. They typically charge venues between $35,000 to $40,000 USD per gig. This is very cheap when compared to other bands of the same popularity (who typically charge 4 or 5 times that amount), and allows the venues to sell tickets at lower prices.
- The songs "Dirty Second Hands" and "Circles" on the Oh! Gravity. album involve five-beat (quintuplet) rhythm passages, which are rare in pop music. "Dirty Second Hands" is primarily in quintuplet meter.
Awards
Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards
- 2001 - "Les Paul Horizon Award" for the most promising up-and-coming guitarist — Jon Foreman
(Interestingly, 5 years after Jon won the award, Switchfoot was invited to play alongside guitar legends at the all-star "Les Paul & Friends: 90th Birthday Salute", a concert in tribute to Les Paul.)
ASCAP Awards
- 1997 - "Best New Artist"
- 2006 - "Impact Award" awarded "to celebrate the success and influence of his songs in mainstream rock music" — Jon Foreman
- 2006 - Top 50 list of Most Performed Song of 2005 — Dare You To Move
GMA Dove Awards
- 2004 - "Rock Recorded Song of the Year" — Ammunition
- 2004 - "Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year" — The Beautiful Letdown
- 2004 - "Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year" — Meant to Live
- 2005 - "Artist of the Year"
- 2005 - "Short Form Music Video of the Year" — Dare You To Move
- 2005 - "Long Form Music Video of the Year" — Live In San Diego
- 2005 - "Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year" — Dare You To Move
- 2006 - "Short Form Music Video of the Year" — Stars
San Diego Music Awards
- 1997 - "Best New Artist"
- 2001 - "Best Pop Artist"
- 2001 - "Best Pop Album" — Learning to Breathe
- 2002 - "Best Adult Alternative Artist"
- 2003 - "Best Pop Album" — The Beautiful Letdown
- 2003 - "Album of the Year" — The Beautiful Letdown
- 2004 - "Song of the Year" — Dare You To Move
- 2006 - "Artist of the Year"
Upcoming Events
In The Blogosphere
| switchfoot - Google Blog Search |
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Clip: Switchfoot - Yesterdays
Clip: Yesterdays, artist: Switchfoot, świeże teledyski, nowości, wideoklipy. |
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Clip: Switchfoot - You
Clip: You, artist: Switchfoot, darmowe teledyski, najnowsze klipy, muzyka. |
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(Ohio State). (TVrip). (chipmunked). (super fast chipmunke) |
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Switchfoot concert
I am really pumped about the upcoming Switchfoot concert in Pheonix! I went to this site explaining who is going to be there. Some of my favorite bands - Switchfoot, Third Day, Jars of Clay, and Robert Randolf & the Family Band! ... |
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From Dope Shades to Dope Covers: Kina Grannis covers Switchfoot!
You may recognize Kina Grannis as the winner of the Doritos Super Bowl contest. Her song was given a 60-second spot on TV during the Game this year, and she now has a record deal with Interscope. I'm especially pulling for her because ... |
