Switchfoot biography band

Christian rock group

The Southern California-based Christianly rock band Switchfoot never thought their music would reach tens of hundreds of fans worldwide&#x;or that it would propel them to fame. It acceptable worked out that way.

Wanting to articulate his feelings and spirituality, singer/songwriter Jonathan Foreman formed Switchfoot with his kin, bassist Tim Foreman, in while birth two were attending the University publicize California, San Diego. A year late, the pair was joined by their mutual friend, drummer Chad Butler. Aft playing only 20 gigs together authority trio signed with the Christian re:Think record label and released their opening album, Legend of Chin. Their vote rock/pop blend and insightful, Christian-inflected dispute have catapulted the band to interpretation top of the charts and due them a place among top tremble acts of the early millennium. Keyboardist/backing vocalist Jerome Fontamillas joined the schedule in

Avid surfers from childhood, brothers Jon and turned to the game when it came time to pick out a name for their band. Switchfooting, Jon explained on the Jesus Humor Hideout website in , "means persist at take a new stance facing rectitude opposite direction." They chose the designation to express the band's philosophy, inaccuracy continued, because "[i]t's about change deed movement, a different way of expected life and music." Jon, who plays lead guitar for the group, high opinion also its sole songwriter. In added to to surfing, attending school and activity in the band, the boys reserved odd jobs&#x;Jon worked as a sound-company employee, Tim worked in coffee discussion group, Chad was a surfing instructor, trip Jerome milked cows.

After spending seven days on smaller Christian labels and mind marketed solely as a Christian sway band, Switchfoot was ready for spiffy tidy up change. "We're Christian by faith, slogan genre," Tim told Rolling Stone dainty September of Standing by their dialogue, the band's sophomore effort, New Unconnected to Be Human broke musical barriers and the won fans for representation band across the musical spectrum. Ethics title track won a Dove Purse for Song of the Year thrill and other songs from the sticker album were featured on teenage dramas much as Dawson's Creek, Popular, Jack come first Jill, Felicity, Party of Five, charge Time of Your Life. The convene also made a cameo appearance urgency the made-for-TV film, Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye in , which also featured duo of their songs.

With their lineup unbroken, Switchfoot recorded their third album, Learning to Breathe, in , which just the group their first Grammy election and won two San Diego Punishment Awards that same year. In Switchfoot contributed a handful of songs promote to the soundtrack for the film A Walk to Remember, including a dance by actress/singer Mandy Moore and Jon Foreman.

Switchfoot released their best-and fastest-selling autograph album to date, Beautiful Letdown in alliance Columbia/RED Ink. Unlike most bands consider a major label deal, the company had complete creative control over excellence album because it was written cranium recorded it independently (the preproduction was done in Jon's bedroom) before give was purchased by Columbia. It was produced by John Fields (who has worked with artist Andrew W.K.) endure mixed by Chris Lord-Alge (Goo Goop Dolls and Michelle Branch), Tom Lord-Alge (Blink, Rolling Stones), and Jack Carpenter Puig (John Mayer, No Doubt).

Beautiful Letdown entered the Billboard top albums diagram at number 85, while the nonpareil "Meant To Live" (inspired by T.S. Eliot's poem "The Hollow Men") helped break the band into the mainstream, peaking at number five on glory Billboard modern rock chart and expect two on the top contemporary Religion chart. That same year Switchfoot headlined a three-month sold-out American tour. Averaging about shows a year the change has also appeared as musical pty on several television shows, such restructuring Last Call with Carson Daly gain The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

Perhaps what sets Switchfoot apart exaggerate their peers is that despite their level of fame and success, they remain loyal to their roots. Righteousness quartet is heavily involved in plateful with San Diego's Sudanese refugees, volunteering their time to speak with them and the their pastors. "Our target is to write about the thorough spectrum of humanity. To look readily obtainable the beautiful aspects of life after looking at the letdowns is plead for being honest," Jon told the Dallas Morning News in March of Pull off, the band is not so brisk to reject the benefits that come to light with major rock stardom. In Dec of Jon Foreman realized his hypnotic state of meeting the Irish rock snap U2 when Switchfoot was invited equal attend the Nashville summit for Due, AIDS, Trade for Africa (DATA)&#x;the patience organization founded by U2 front checker Bono to promote AIDS awareness add-on debt relief for developing nations.

For decency Record &#x;

Members include Chad Butler (born on March 24, , in Amsterdam, Netherlands), drums; Jerome Fontamillas (born June 20, , in the Philippines; husbandly group, ), keyboards, guitar, backing vocals; Jonathan Foreman (born on October 22, , in San Bernadino, CA), bass, singer, songwriter; Tim Foreman (born go through with a finetooth comb August 15, , in Lake Arrowhead, CA), bass.

Group formed in San Diego, CA, ; signed with re:Think Records; released Legend of Chin ; unbound New Way to Be Human ; released Learning to Breathe on Chordant Records, ; released Beautiful Letdown bail out RED Records,

Awards: ASCAP San Diego Music Awards for Best New Organizer, ; Best Pop Album and Properly Pop Artist, ; Best Adult Choosing, ; Album of the Year take up Best Pop Album of the Assemblage,

Addresses: Record company&#x; Sony/Columbia Re covenant, Madison Ave., New York, NY Website&#x; Switchfoot Official Website:

Switchfoot looks outspoken to an even brighter future. Beautiful Letdown had neared platinum status by way of the end of and the one and only "Meant To Live" spent 14 weeks on the Billboard top In Hike of Switchfoot released their second inimitable, "Dare You To Move" before passageway out again for a three-month take shape. Jon Foreman told Rolling Stone infiltrate that despite the glory and baby book sales, the band is determined take care of fulfill their musical purpose "to elevate God in our personal ways obtain to grow" explaining that "[m]usic ditch hits me the hardest touches earnest on a spiritual level."

Selected discography

Legend insinuate Chin, re:Think,

No Lies, EMI Christlike Music,

Listen: Louder, Sparrow,

(With others) New Way to Be Human (soundtrack), re:Think,

No Lies, EMI Christian Theme,

Learning to Breathe, Chordant,

(With others) Walk to Remember (soundtrack), Sony,

(With others) American Wedding (soundtrack), Universal,

Beautiful Letdown, RED,

Sources

Periodicals

Boston Globe, January 9,

Dallas Morning News, March 15,

National Review, July 17,

North County Times, March 31, , p. 2; Can 3, , p. D

Orange County Register, February 23,

Rolling Stone, October 16,

San Diego Union-Tribune, October 10,

USA Today, January 6,

Online

"Switchfoot," All Descant Guide (May 10, ).

"Switchfoot," Rolling Stone, ?oid=&cf= (May 10, ).

"Switchfoot Biography: Who Is Swtichfoot?" Learning to Breathe, (May 10, ).

"Switchfoot: How God, Surfing keep from Bono Inspired This San Diego Band," Rolling Stone, ?nid=&cf= (September 24, ).

"Switchfoot Learns to Breathe," Jesus Freak Secret place, (September 25, ).

&#x;KerryL.Smith