Switchfoot

Switchfoot
From left to right: Jerome Fontamillas, Chad Butler (on drums), Drew Shirley, Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman
From left to right: Jerome Fontamillas, Chad Butler (on drums), Drew Shirley, Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman
Background information
Origin San Diego, California, USA
Genre(s) Alternative rock, post-grunge, power pop
Years active 1996–present
Label(s) Re:Think (1997–2000)
Columbia/Sony BMG (2002–2007)
Lowercase People (2007–present)
Associated acts Mortal, Fold Zandura, All Together Separate, Fiction Family
Website switchfoot.com
Members
Jon Foreman
Tim Foreman
Chad Butler
Jerome Fontamillas
Drew Shirley

Switchfoot is an American alternative rock band from San Diego, California. The band's members are Jon Foreman (vocals, guitar), Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backing vocals), Chad Butler (drums, percussion), Jerome Fontamillas (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), and Drew Shirley (guitar). Known for their energetic live shows[1][2][3][4], 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"[5] – 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. It went on to sell over 2.6 million copies and produced the band's 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".[6]

Contents

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 eventually signed to his indie label Re:think Records under the current moniker Switchfoot. Re:think would distribute the first three Switchfoot albums, The Legend of Chin, New Way to Be Human, and Learning to Breathe. Because Re:think was bought out by Christian giant Sparrow Records before Switchfoot's first release, however, the band's and Peacock's intentions of being marketed outside of the CCM scene were put on hold.

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's music was featured prominently in 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, in addition to Mandy Moore's cover of "Only Hope".[7]

In 2004, following the commercial success of The Beautiful Letdown, a compilation titled The Early Years: 1997-2000 was released. It featured all the indie albums released under re:think records and included the original artwork for all the albums.

The Beautiful Letdown

Main article: The Beautiful Letdown

In early 2003, following the exposure that came from "A Walk to Remember," Switchfoot released their major label debut, The Beautiful Letdown, under Columbia Records/Red Ink. The record represented 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.

Jon Foreman and Chad Butler

The Beautiful Letdown has since been certified double-platinum, and went on to sell more than 2.6 million copies,[8] on the strength of constant touring and huge mainstream radio hits "Meant to Live" and "Dare You to Move." 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" received major airplay on Christian radio stations as well. In 2005, Switchfoot received five Dove Award nominations, and won four, including Artist of the year.

Nothing Is Sound

Main article: 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.

Nothing is Sound Tour in Vancouver BC

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[9] 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.

Main article: Oh! Gravity.

Switchfoot's latest album Oh! Gravity. was released on December 26, 2006, earning considerable critical acclaim. It entered the Billboard chart at #18[10] 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,[11] setting up a webcam in their recording studio, and running a contest to giving a fan the chance to play the cowbell part in the studio with the band.[12]

Oh! Gravity Spring Tour 2007 Charleston S.C.

To promote the album, the band first released the song, "Dirty Second Hands," via iTunes on September 26.[13] 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,[14] 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 was "Awakening". The video for that song received over one million hits on YouTube in less than three months. On September 4, 2007, "Head Over Heels (In This Life)" was released by Switchfoot's Christian distributor, Sparrow Records as the third single from Oh! Gravity.

2007: Major label independence

On August 10, 2007, Jon Foreman revealed that the band had severed ties with Columbia Records in order to release music as an Indie band. "Neither party has any hard feelings," he said of the split a few months later. "I think for us, the reason why we signed with Columbia was because of the people that were there. So it’s very understandable when all those people are gone, you don’t hold any real bad feelings or good feelings towards a company name. I think that’s part of the problem with the corporate entity as a whole is that there’s no true responsibility."[15] Later in October, the band announced that they had created a new record label called Lowercase People Records, in order to better make a direct connection with their fans.

Subsequently, Foreman began working on his own set of solo EP's (one named after each season of the year), the first of these was released on November 27, 2007, the last on June 10, 2008[16] Jon also began a side project with Sean Watkins of Nickel Creek that was originally called "The Real SeanJon" but later renamed to "Fiction Family".

With their new status as an independent band, Switchfoot embarked on their 2007 fall tour, playing shows with Relient K, and Ruth. The tour, dubbed the "Appetite For Construction Tour," was designed to benefit Habitat For Humanity, with the bands donating one dollar per ticket sold to the cause.[17] In addition Jon Foreman worked with Relient K's Matt Thiessen on the song "Rebuild" in conjunction with the theme of the tour to raise additional money for Habitat. By the end of the tour, the bands had raised over $100,000 for Habitat for Humanity.[18]

In March through May, the band embarked on a short national tour (titled the Up In Arms Tour)[19], partnering with the organization To Write Love on Her Arms[20].

2008-2009: Seventh Studio Album, "This Is Home," and "The Best Yet"

Prior to the label split, Jon Foreman announced in a March 17, 2007 MySpace blog that Switchfoot had begun pre-production for a new album, saying that "the new SF record is underway." Later, on October 12, 2007, Foreman also announced that the band had begun construction of their very own studio in their hometown of San Diego. It was completed in the spring of 2008, and the band began recording their follow-up to 2006's Oh! Gravity. [21] and a Summer 2009 release is currently anticipated. [22]

In March, the band wrote and recorded a new song called "This Is Home" for the film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian[23]. The song was included on the film's official soundtrack and an accompanying music video was also filmed, with footage from the film.[24]

The band started ramping up recording in June, and re-launched a new version of their popular studio webcam in July, giving their fans an opportunity to follow their progress. [25][26]

Lowercase People Records will partner with the independent record label ATO Records to release the new Switchfoot album, in a deal similar to British rock band Radiohead. Charlie Peacock reported that "It's no secret that Switchfoot is working with ATO and the good people at Red Light Management."[27][28][29]

On November 4, the band's former label, Sony BMG, released their first ever greatest hits compilation album titled "The Best Yet"[30].

Influences

Switchfoot playing on July 4, 2005 in St. Louis, Missouri

Switchfoot's frontman and guitarist Jon Foreman cites his musical influences as U2, The Beatles, and Keith Green.[31] Guitarist Drew Shirley cites U2, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Tommy Walker, Phil Keaggy, Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews Band, and the Brand New Heavies, while bassist Tim Foreman pays tribute to Stevie Wonder.[32] Chad Butler also cites Dave Grohl as an influence for The Beautiful Letdown.[33] 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”.[34]

Songwriters like Bono, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash have inspired Jon's introspective lyrics.[35] "We try to make music for thinking people," he mentions,[36] 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",[37] while "Stars", the lead single off Nothing Is Sound, briefly "looks at things from the Descartes perspective," according to Jon.[38]

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 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".[39] 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"[40] 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.[41][42] 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."[43] 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 having been 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."[44]

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, Switchfoot began going back on this policy, headlining at large Christian-based music festivals, and relenting to be featured on the June 2006 cover of CCM Magazine,[45] after declining the opportunity for years.[46] 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".[47]

Other projects

Switchfoot has been actively involved in a number of humanitarian causes, including DATA, the ONE Campaign, the Keep A Breast Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Invisible Children, and To Write Love on Her Arms.[48][49] In addition to supporting those causes Switchfoot has fronted the Switchfoot Bro-Am Surf Contest and the online magazine lowercase people.

In addition to supporting those causes they fronted the Switchfoot Bro-Am Surf Contest, a benefit contest and concert to raise money for Care House, Casa de Amparo, and Stand-Up for Kids organizations serving homeless kids the band's hometown of San Diego.[50][51] 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[52] to help raise money for the children's communities.[53]

Discography

Main article: Switchfoot discography

Studio Albums

Awards

Orville H. Gibson Guitar Awards

ASCAP Awards

See also: ASCAP

GMA Dove Awards

See also: GMA Dove Awards

San Diego Music Awards

See also: San Diego Music Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Switch nothing - Foot does just fine" (2006-11-15). Retrieved on 2007-01-15.
  2. ↑ "Switchfoot's New Stance" (2006-10-25). Retrieved on 2007-01-15.
  3. ↑ "Switchfoot Concert". Retrieved on 2007-01-15.
  4. ↑ "Switchfoot - Nothing is Sound tour". ABC (2005-10-03). Retrieved on 2007-01-15.
  5. ↑ "interlinc: Switchfoot". Retrieved on 2007-01-13.
  6. ↑ "Switchfoot learns to breathe" (2000-09-25). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  7. ↑ "Soundtracks for A Walk to Remember (2002)". IMDb. Retrieved on 2006-08-30.
  8. ↑ "Switchfoot, Omarion, and Matisyahu return to store shelves with new albums" (2006-12-27). Retrieved on 2007-01-08.
  9. ↑ "Switchfoot Laments the Copy Protection on their CD" (2005-09-19). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  10. ↑ "Omarion Leads Active Post-Christmas Album Chart" (2007-01-03). Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
  11. ↑ "Switchfoot seeks fans' help". Reuters (2006-10-30). Retrieved on 2006-10-30.
  12. ↑ "New Album Update" (2006-08-21). Retrieved on 2006-08-21.
  13. ↑ "Switchfoot Defy Gravity For Upcoming Tour". MTV (2006-09-05). Retrieved on 2006-09-13.
  14. ↑ "Quick Hits: ... Switchfoot ..." (2006-09-29). Retrieved on 2006-10-02.
  15. ↑ "Switchfoot – 02.24.08" (2008-03-19). Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  16. ↑ "Switchfoot Frontman Releasing Seasonal Solo EPs" (2007-11-20). Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
  17. ↑ "Bands using music to ‘build’ something that lasts" (2007-11-03). Retrieved on 2007-11-03.
  18. ↑ "Switchfoot Swaps Band Instruments For Building Tools, Raises Over $100,000 For Habitat For Humanity" (2007-12-17). Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
  19. ↑ "Athlete to make appearance in Switchfoot US tour" (2008-02-19). Retrieved on 2008-07-03.
  20. ↑ "You tell me to live. We were meant to live." (2008-02-12). Retrieved on 2008-07-03.
  21. ↑ "Switchfoot Studio News" (2008-05-05). Retrieved on 2008-05-05.
  22. ↑ New Switchfoot Email: 2008 Switchfoot Holiday Pack - Published November 26, 2008 (retrieved November 27, 2008)
  23. ↑ Lindsay Scranton (April 18, 2008). "Third Day, Switchfoot, Jars of Clay and Robert Randolf and the Family Band Launch Music Builds Tour". Retrieved on September 26, 2008.
  24. ↑ "Switchfoot Plays Music Without Walls" (2008-06-24). Retrieved on 2008-07-03.
  25. ↑ "Switchfoot Studio Cam" (2008-07-01). Retrieved on 2008-07-07.
  26. ↑ "Switchfoot Web Cam Blog" (2008-07-01). Retrieved on 2008-07-07.
  27. ↑ "Exclusive Joint Interview with Charlie Peacock" (2008-03-07). Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
  28. ↑ "Q&A with Switchfoot's Jon Foreman" (2007-11-21). Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
  29. ↑ "Switchfoot Eyeing Spring 2009 For New Album" (2008-08-01). Retrieved on 2008-08-05.
  30. ↑ "The Best Yet - First Ever ' Greatest Hit' Anthology From Switchfoot" (2008-09-26). Retrieved on 2008-09-27.
  31. ↑ "Interview with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot" (November 2000). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  32. ↑ "Hotter than July: Stevie Wonder to kick off tour here this month". The San Diego Union-Tribune (2007-08-02). Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  33. ↑ "Switchfoot 'Let's Go' Chicago" (March 2003). Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  34. ↑ "Switchfoot". VH1. Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  35. ↑ "Switchfoot's frontman has faith in his ability" (2004-03-19). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  36. ↑ "Far From A Letdown: Switchfoot in Chicago". Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  37. ↑ "Song Stories from Jon Foreman". Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  38. ↑ "Learning 2 Breathe(Song Stories)". Retrieved on 2006-11-25.
  39. ↑ "Switchfoot steps toward stardom". The Boston Globe (2004-01-09). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  40. ↑ "Question and Answer with Switchfoot's Jon Foreman" (2004-10-13). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  41. ↑ "Switchfoot releases new album "Nothing Is Sound"". The Mercury News (2005-09-12). Retrieved on 2006-06-16.
  42. ↑ "Nothing is Sound tour" (2005-10-03). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  43. ↑ "Switchfoot Want You To Focus On Their Music" (2005-10-19). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  44. ↑ "Switchfoot, 11/06 - Interviews - Christian Music Today" (2006-11-27). Retrieved on 2006-12-27.
  45. ↑ "Learning to Breathe". CCM Magazine (June 2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  46. ↑ "Under their Influence". CCM Magazine (June 2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  47. ↑ "Rocking for Jesus" (2006-06-30). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  48. ↑ "A message from Switchfoot's Jon Foreman" (2006-12-30). Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  49. ↑ "You tell me to live. We were meant to live." (2008-02-12). Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  50. ↑ "Switchfoot's New LP, Surf Contest Affected By Instability". MTV (2005-05-31). Retrieved on 2006-09-13.
  51. ↑ "Bro-am Bros.". The San Diego Union-Tribune (2008-05-29). Retrieved on 2008-06-16.
  52. ↑ "sun rising". Horizon International (2006).
  53. ↑ "lowercase people". Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
  54. ↑ "EMI CMG Publishing Sweeps ASCAP Christian Music Awards" (2006-04-10). Retrieved on 2006-08-09.

External links

Switchfoot
Jon Foreman · Tim Foreman · Chad Butler · Jerome Fontamillas · Drew Shirley
Albums
The Legend of Chin · New Way to Be Human · Learning to Breathe · The Beautiful Letdown · Nothing Is Sound · Oh! Gravity.
EPs and Live Albums
Switchfoot: Live - EP · Oh! EP · Best of Bootlegs Vol. 1
Compilations
The Early Years: 1997-2000 · The Best Yet
DVDs
Switchfootage 1 and 2 · Live in San Diego · The Beautiful Letdown (Dual Disc) · Feet Don't Fail Me Now · Nothing Is Sound (Dual Disc) · Live at the Ventura Theatre
Singles
"Meant to Live" · "Dare You to Move" · "This Is Your Life" · "Stars" · "We Are One Tonight" · "Oh! Gravity." · "Awakening" · "This Is Home"
Tours
"Nothing Is Sound Tour" · "Oh Gravity tour" · "Appetite For Construction Tour" · "Up In Arms Tour" · "Music Builds Tour"
Related articles
Discography · lowercase people · Fiction Family · "Rebuild"