SWFT Addicts

Switchfoot's 2nd Annual Bro-Am

2006-06-03T02:16:00.000-07:00

What: 2nd Annual Switchfoot Bro-Am
When: Saturday, June 3rd, 2006
Surf contest: 7AM-2:30PM
Concert: 12noon-5PM
Where: Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, CA
*A FREE event open to the public!

Click here for more informations: http://switchfoot.com/bro-am

Free new unreleased Switchfoot song!

2006-06-03T02:06:00.000-07:00

Hi friends,

we've been busy working on our new record here in San Diego, and we're feeling really good about it. The new songs are sounding great, and we're hoping to have a new record out before the end of the year (uh-oh, did I say that out loud?). We wanted to thank you guys for supporting a little band from San Diego for past 10 years (can't believe it's been that long!), and we can't think of a better way than to give you a free new song. Thanks for being a part of our music, enjoy!

-tim

Switchfoot studio cam

2006-06-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

Check out the new studio cam and watch Switchfoot record the album LIVE! click here!

Spring Tour '06-Episode 6

2006-06-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

In this podcast, we can see Switchfoot recording the new CD which seems to be a great one (as always :P)! Enjoy! ;)

2006-05-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

:O:P

2006-05-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ebody playing (a)

Spring Tour '06-Episode 5

2006-05-13T03:36:00.000-07:00

New podcast!! :D This one totally rocks! sooo funny! :P I think it's my favourite! jj

Happy Is A Yuppie Word!

2006-05-11T03:10:00.000-07:00

Everyone dies, everyone loves a fight
Nothing is sound, nothing right side right
Evening comes when the sun goes down in red
Nothing is cool
When will all the fighting end?
When will all the fighting end?

Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
It’s empty as an argument
I’m running down a life that won’t cash out
(cash out)

Everything fails
Everything runs its course
A time and a place for all this love and war
Everyone buys, everyone’s got a price
Nothing is new, when will all the failures rise
When will all us failures rise, rise

Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
It’s empty as an argument
I’m running down a life that won’t cash out

Happy is a yuppie word
Blessed is the man who’s lost it all
Happy is a yuppie word, word

Looking for an orphanage
Looking for a bridge I can’t burn down
I don’t believe the emptiness
I’m looking for the kingdom coming down
Everything is meaningless
I want more than simple cash can buy

Happy is a yuppie word
Happy is a yuppie word
Happy is a yuppie word
Happy is a yuppie

Nothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is sound
Nothing is sound

Happy is a yuppie word
Nothing in the world could fail me now
Happy is a yuppie word, word

So come down, yeah
So come down, yeah

Written by Jon Foreman. All songs ©2005 Meadowgreen Music Company and Sugar Pete Songs / All right administered by EMI CMG Publishing (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Behind the Song:
“A year ago I had a late night talk with a friend who stated the quote: "Happy is a yuppie word." I stayed up after he left, turned off the TV war and wrote a song about our happy, yuppie world. Turns out, Bob Dylan was the one being quoted. "In 1991, when Rolling Stone interviewed Dylan on the occasion of his 50th birthday, he gave a curious response when the interviewer asked him if he was happy. He fell silent for a few moments and stared at his hands. 'You know,' he said, 'these are yuppie words, happiness and unhappiness. It's not happiness or unhappiness, it's either blessed or unblessed.'” For me this song is the heart of the record, pumping blood out to the limbs and fingers and mouth and such. And maybe every lyric on the record might be needed and true, still this song has kept everything alive for us. We had the privilege of opening for Wilco a few years past- I would like to dedicate this song to the incredible music that they have given all of us down through the years.” – Jon Foreman (Switchfoot)

2006-05-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

2006-05-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Meant To Live video! So great pic! luv it!

2006-05-06T21:10:00.000-07:00

Jooooon! lol :P

Spring Tour '06-Episode 4.5

2006-04-29T12:01:00.000-07:00

Paralisis?

2006-04-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Poor baby! Drew almost paralizes him! (a):P

Jon

2006-04-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

Soooo cute (l) luv this pic :P

Foreman Rock

2006-04-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

Oh yes! Tim and Jon :P:P:P

Jon Vs. Drew

2006-04-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Who would win :O? lol :P

Spring Tour '06-Episode 4

2006-04-24T09:41:00.000-07:00

I luuuuv Jon and Drew, they're the most funny :P

South Park

2006-04-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

So great cartoons made by Margo! Ur the boss girl (h)

Forum

2006-04-15T17:29:00.000-07:00

Make sure to check out the SWFT Forum, there are lots of interesting topics and pics there! Just click here.

Tour with Lovedrug

2006-04-15T17:00:00.000-07:00

Tour Dates

2006-04-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

03.15.06 Bakersfield, CA Fox Theatre
03.16.06 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues
03.17.06 Tucson, AZ Rialto Theater

03.18.06 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater
03.20.06 Tulsa, OK Donald W. Reynolds Center
03.21.06 Fort Worth, TX Ridglea Theatre
03.23.06 Austin, TX Stubbs Bar-B-Q

03.24.06 New Orleans, LA House of Blues
03.25.06 Nashville, TN War Memorial
03.26.06 Huntsville, AL UAH Fitness Center
03.28.06 Dahlonega, GA Memorial Hall
03.29.06 Orlando, FL House of Blues
03.30.06 Boca Raton, FL FAU Center Auditorium
03.31.06 Jacksonville, FL Florida Theatre -w/ Band Marino
04.01.06 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues w/ Mute Math
04.02.06 Greensboro, NC War Memorial Auditorium w/ Mute Math
04.04.06 Baltimore, MD Sonar w/ Mute Math
04.07.06 Atlantic City, NJ The Borgata Music Box - Honorary Title
04.08.06 Hartford, CT Webster Theatre w/ Mute Math
04.11.06 Burlington, VT Flynn Center (performing arts)w/ Mute Math
04.12.06 Clifton Park, NY Northern Lights w/ Mute Math
04.13.06 Rochester, NY Water Street Music Hall w/ Mute Math
04.14.06 Philadelphia, PA Liacouras Center -MMR Spring Break '06
04.15.06 Columbus, OH LIfestyle Communities Pavilion w/ Lovedrug
04.18.06 Urbana, IL Foellinger Auditorium - UI
04.19.06 East Lansing, MI MSU Concert Auditorium
04.21.06 Maryville, MO Bearcat Arena - NW MO ST
04.23.06 Mankato, MN Midwest Wireless Civic Center
04.24.06 Brookings, SD Swiftel Center - SD State Univ.
04.26.06 Ogden, UT Dee Evens Center - Weber St
04.27.06 Pocatello, ID Reed Gym - Idaho St.
04.28.06 Spokane, WA McCarthey Athletic Center - Gonzaga University
04.29.06 Vancouver BC Commodore Ballroom
05.01.06 Eugene, OR McDonald Theatre
05.02.06 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst

More dates and cities to be listed soon.

To stay informed on the entire tour as more dates are
announced, or to purchase tickets, click here.

Picture: Fan art of the Week, Kevin Mandeville

New Link!

2006-04-13T11:11:00.000-07:00

Visit Switchfan! It's a great SWFT site! They are some great guys from Brazil and also very big SWFT fans :D:P
GBU guys!

Spring Tour '06 - Episode 3

2006-04-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Now the third one is here! :P We can't wait for the next :D:P

Spring Tour '06-Episode 2

2006-04-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

This is the second episode of the Podcast! it's so funny! :P

Spring Tour '06

2006-04-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the First Episode of the Official Switchfoot's Podcast

---> Don't Be There <---

2006-04-03T14:50:00.000-07:00

Don't be there
'Cause I'm on my way

And I'm already
Gone over
And I'm on my way

CHORUS
And I can't recall myself
How I went down
Did I get shot or
Shoot myself

I'm down here
And you're way up there

But that doesn't
Hurt badly
But it stings right here

And I won't pretend there's
Nothing there
You be around and
I'll be square
Don't be alarmed if
I'm not there
You be around and
I'll be square

If you're a rose
Then I'm the thorn
That's in your side

And does it
Hurt badly
'Cause it burns right here

CHORUS

I'd like to say hello
I'd like to say I care
I'd like to let you know
That nothing here's the
Same with me
Nothing here's the same

CHORUS

Don't be around
Don't be there

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Ode To Chin <---

2006-04-03T14:38:00.000-07:00

What's your direction
Tell me what's wrong
Tell me what's right

What's your direction
Think about somebody
Else for the night

Life's more than girls
God's more than words
You're more than this

So what's your direction
And where are you now

CHORUS
Grow, grow where you are
Anchor your roots
Underneath
"Doubt your doubts
And believe your beliefs"

What's your direction
What matters most is what
You do now

What's your direction
All that you've been makes
Who you are now

'Cause I've been ashamed
I've been a fool you know
I've backed down

When I lose direction
I pray to be found

CHORUS

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> You <---

2006-04-03T14:30:00.000-07:00

There's always something
In the way
There's always something
Getting through
But it's not me
It's You

Sometimes ignorance
Rings true
But hope is not in
What I know
Not in me
It's in You

It's all I know

I find peace when
I'm confused
I find hope when I'm let down
Not in me
But in You

I hope to lose myself
For good
I hope to find it in the end
Not in me
It's You
It's all I know

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Life And Love And Why <---

2006-04-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

Life and love and why
Child, adult, then die
All of your hoping and
All of your searching
For what
Ask me for what am I
Living or what gives
Me strength
That I'm willing to die for

Take away from me
This monstrosity
'Cause my futile thinking's
Not gonna solve
Nothing tonight
Ask me for what am I
Living or what gives
Me strength
That I'm willing to die for
Could it be this
Could this be bliss
Could it be all that I
Ever had missed
Could it be true
Can life be new
And can I be used
Can I be used

Give me a reason for life
And for death
And a reason for
Drowning while I hold
My breath
Something to laugh at a
Reason to cry
With everyone hopeless
And hoping for something
To hope for
Yeah, with something
To hope for

Could it be true
Can life be new
Could it be all that I am
Is in You
Could it be this
Could it be bliss
Can it be You
Can it be You

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Concrete Girl <---

2006-04-03T14:22:00.000-07:00

Bleeding thoughts
Cracking boulder
Don't fall over
Fake your laughter
Burn the tear
Sing it louder,
Twist and shout

Way up here
We stand on shoulders
Growing colder
Laugh or cry
I won't mind
Sing it louder,
Twist and shout

Immovable shadows
Concrete girl
They'll rock your world
To nothing
And they're swimming
Around again, again
And they're swimming
Around the concrete girl

Catch your breath
Like four leaf clover
Hand it over

Scream to no one
Take your time
Sing it louder,
Twist and shout

Nothing to run from
Is worse than something
And all your fears
Of nothing
And they're swimming
Around again, again
And they're swimming
Around the concrete girl

Concrete girl don't
Fall down
In this broken world
Around you
Concrete girl don't
Fall down
Don't fall down
My concrete girl

Don't stop thinking
Don't stop feeling

One step away
From where we were
And one step back
To nothing
And we're standing on top
Of our hopes and fears
And we're fighting
For words
Now concrete girl
And we're swimming
Around again, again
And we're swimming
Around now
Concrete girl

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Might Have Ben Hur <---

2006-04-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Everything I know
Tells me she's everything
That I could hope for
Everything I know
Tells me I can't let her
Walk away

I took my time to find
The words
I hope she'd feel
The same

'Cause I want someone to
Share my smile
To share the pain
To be there when the sea
Turns gray
To share the joy
For better or worse

And I thought that it
Might have been her

Wonder if she knows
The way I saw her soul
Light up my life
Wonder if she knows
Of the pain I feel tonight

I took my time to find
The words
I hope she'd feel
The same

'Cause I want someone to
Share my smile
To share the pain
To be there when the sea
Turns gray
To share the joy
For better or worse

And I thought that it
Might have been her

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Home <---

2006-04-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

It's a long way from
Miami to LA
It's a longer way from
Yesterday
To where I am today

It's a long way from my
Thoughts to what I'll say
It's a long, long way
From paradise
To where I am today

All that's in my head is in
Your hands

It's a long way from the
Moon up to the sun
It's a longer road
Ahead of me
The road that I've begun

Stop to think of all the
Time I've lost
Start to think of all the
Bridges that I've burned
That must be crossed

Over, over, over
Take me over

CHORUS
I've been poison
I've been rain
I've been fooled again

I've seen ashes
Shine like chrome
Someday I'll see home

Home, home

I can see the stars from way down here
But I can't fall asleep behind the wheel

It's a long way from the
Shadows in my cave
Up to Your reality to
Watch the sunlight
Taking over

Over
Taking over
Take me over

CHORUS

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Edge Of My Seat <---

2006-04-03T13:37:00.000-07:00

Nothing more
That there's nothing more

Nothing here's the same
It's all a dream
Life on a movie screen
And I'm sitting on the edge
Of my seat

I can't tell what happens
Next just what I've seen
Don't know what it means
But I'm holding on the
Edge of my seat

CHORUS
I can't forget your name
Forget your name
Yeah, I can't forget you
Now I know
I can't forget you girl

I promise
Sit back buckle in
And hold on tight
A roller coaster ride
And I'm holding on the
Edge of my seat

CHORUS

And I don't know for sure
'Cause I just landed on
Your shore
But I think you got
Nothing but another
Thing comin'
If you think there's
Nothing more

That there's nothing more

CHORUS

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Underwater <---

2006-04-03T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's in her head
It's in her mind
She can't believe it
Can't believe she's
Running out of time

And any hold that she
Can find
Something to lean on
Everybody fails her half
the time
Nothing to be
She's already been
Plenty of time

Lights her candle six a.m.
Starting a new one
Every new one hits her
Just the same

Just like clockwork
She climbs down
Into her bottle
No one down there cares
To know her name

She's underwater
Nowhere now
Underwater upside down
The rising tide won't find
Her now
She's lost and found
Underwater

She's underwater
But she won't drown
She can't believe it
And every one she meets
Feels just the same

It takes all day to
Get to tonight
What makes the sunset
And what makes it go back
To where it came

She's underwater
Nowhere now
She's underwater
Upside down
The rising tide won't find
Her now
She's lost and found
Now she's upside down
Now she's six feet down

Underwater

Written by Jonathan Foreman and Casey Gee ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Chem 6A Lyrics <---

2006-02-01T09:01:00.000-08:00

Nothing but a chemical
In my head
Nothing but laziness
I don't wanna read
The book
I'll watch the movie
'Cause it's not me
I'm just like everybody
Else my age

I think I'd rather
Play around
And I think I'd rather
Watch TV
'Cause I don't wanna face
My fears
I'll watch the movie
'Cause it's not me
I'm just like
Everybody else

CHORUS
Because I don't wanna
Be here
I don't wanna see
This now
It's all wrong but it's
All right
I don't wanna be here
I don't wanna study now
It's all wrong but it's
All right

I don't know what love is
And I don't know who I am
And if I ever want to
Find out
I'll watch the movie
'Cause it's not me
I'm just like everybody
Else my age

I don't wanna change
The world
And I don't wanna
Be someone
And I don't wanna write
The book
I'll make the movie
'Cause it's not me
I'm just like
Everybody else

CHORUS

Written by Jonathan Foreman / ©1997 Meadowgreen Music / Sugar Pete Songs / ASCAP All rights reserved.

---> Bomb Lyrics <---

2006-02-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

With blankness staring
Back at me
And screaming from
The pages
I feel the fear of apathy
Gripping me pushing me
On top of everything
In the corner with a view
I turn off the fluorescent tubes

CHORUS
This is the bomb that I've
Been waiting for
Looking for
You finally lit the fuse
That's in my head
Yes, You finally lit the
Fuse that's in my head

With nothingness on
Top of me
And bleeding from
My folder
Only You can stop
The emptiness
Don't let it take me over

I've been sinking down
Further into nothing
I've been waiting long
Longer than for
Some things

CHORUS

Listen

2006-01-22T10:59:00.000-08:00

Click any song below to listen to a sample mp3.

1. Bomb 2:45
2. Chem 6a 3:11
3. Underwater 3:46
4. Edge of My Seat 2:45
5. Home 4:02
6. Might Have Ben Hur 2:38
7. Concrete Girl 5:05
8. Life and Love and Why 2:53
9. You 4:13
10. Ode to Chin 2:13
11. Don't Be There 4:22

Total Running Time: 37:53

Who is Chin?

2006-01-22T10:46:00.000-08:00

Willis Chin (aka "Chin", "The Legend", "Dash Rip Rock", you can even just call him "nice") is a good friend of the members of Switchfoot. Switchfoot's first album, The Legend of Chin, is fondly named after him, and includes the song "Ode To Chin" which was inspired by him. In addition, Chin appears in all of Switchfoot's videos (excluding "Company Car" and "Dare You To Move"), and on their first DVD, Switchfootage!

"We called our album Legend of Chin out of respect for our friend back in San Diego," says drummer Chad Butler. "He's such a great guy. A real smiler, too. The kind of guy who always has his chin up!" (Pun intended.)

"Willis is definitely one of our heroes," says guitarist-songwriter Jon Foreman. "He's so real and so consistent in living out his faith. He's no fake. And that's what we hope our album is all about—about being real, no matter what the situation or circumstance."

"And we are trying to show people where true hope is found," says bassist Tim Foreman. "And Willis knows exactly where his hope is found."

"Then there's our song, 'Ode to Chin,'" says Chad. "It's a tribute to Willis. It's about being accountable to someone like Willis. ... This song is also about keeping your eyes on the Lord."

Chin also plays in a band called Movement Oust, and you can sometimes find him leading worship at Calvary Chapel North Coast in San Diego, CA.

Quotes taken from Campus Life Magazine, read the rest of the article here (scroll down to middle of page).

The Legend of Chin

2006-01-22T09:54:00.000-08:00

"Written in 1996 and recorded in '97, "The Legend of Chin" is the album that started it all. The album was recorded in its entirety in just three weeks -- and when I say "recorded," I mean the old-school way: no computers, no ones and zeroes, just good old-fashioned reel-to-reel tape machines for the entire project. Editing two takes together was done by splicing tape, just like the Beatles had done thirty years earlier. This album was so exciting to make. Every new day was met with the fresh anticipation that anything was possible. The end result is an honest collection of San Diego rock." -Tim

" The thing that you have to remember about this album is that none of these songs were written for mass consumption. These were songs that were written in my freshman dorm-room. These are the songs of a nineteen year old kid who has nothing to prove and nothing to lose. I can still remember those first few practices: tim, chad, and I dreaming and scheming. We knew none of the boundaries that people have since tried to put on us. Back then a song could go anywhere, and I believe it still can."-Jon

Read more

Jon Foreman

2005-12-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

Basics
Full name: Jonathan Mark Foreman
Band position: lead vocals, guitar
Birthday: October 22, 1976
Birthplace: San Bernardino, California
Current home: San Diego, California

Family
Parents: Mark & Jan Foreman
Siblings: Tim Foreman
Wife: Emily Foreman

Favorites
Fast food restaurant: Philly Bertos, Taco Bell
Cereal: Doesn't usually have breakfast, but if he did, Quaker 100% natural granola
Dessert: Ice Cream (any flavor)
Holiday: Christmas
Music video: Rabbit in Your Headlights - Thom Yorke
Movies: Dumb and Dumber, Amélie and Life is Beautiful
High school job: tutoring kids

Least Favorites
High school job: stripping furniture
Movie: Pat: The Movie, it was a complete waste of time
Food: bologna
Fast Food: Filiberto's
Fan: Annissa. (Ok. We made that up.LOL)

Other Stuff
Most embarrassing moment: "The show that we had at the Roxy, where my strap fell off. I proped my leg up against my other leg to hold the guitar so I could finish the song. I looked like a flamingo. A month later, the show was reviewed in CCM Magazine, and guess which picture they used?"
Person in the Bible he most identifies with: David
Musical influences: U2, Police, Beatles, Bach, Ronnie Jordan, Miles Davis
Pet peeve: when things are too hectic
Hobbies: Surfing, Soccer
Education: Pursuing an Economics Degree at UCSD (the University of California at San Diego)
Bad Habit: biting his nails
Invisible for a day, where would he go: I'd like to go to Nevada somewhere, where they allegedly keep all the UFO's and stuff.
Best practical joke played on him: Maybe I've repressed those memories. I don't remember any.
On his lunchbox when he was a kid: Benji. I had a trashcan to match, which I still have to this day.
Heroes: Bono from U2
Role Models: CS Lewis, his 9th grade History teacher, his father, Jesus
Rainy Day past time: A game called Dice, or surfing
Vacation sport: North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii
Toothpaste: Whatever is on sale

This or That
Britney or Christina? Christina
Fantasy Island or Temptation Island? The plane! Fantasy Island.
Driver or passenger? I'm gonna go with passenger.
Morning or night? Night.
New York City or Los Angeles? NYC.
Pinball or PlayStation 2? More specifically... Tony Hawk.
Cat or Dog? Dog.
Paper or plastic? Umm... it depends, but I'll go with paper on this one.

Tim Foreman

2005-12-04T11:00:00.000-08:00

Basics
Full name: Timothy David Foreman
Band position: bass, backup vocals
Birthday: August 15, 1978
Birthplace: Lake Arrowhead, California
Current home: San Diego, California

Family
Parents: Mark & Jan Foreman
Siblings: Jon Foreman
Wife: Andrea Foreman

Favorites
Fast food restaurant: IN-N-OUT Burger
Cereal: Lucky Charms, Cocoa Pebbles
Holiday: Christmas
Music video: Just - Radio Head
Movies: Good Will Hunting. No, Amelie
High school job: A coffee shop where there were no customers. They had a pool table and i got paid $6 per hour to play pool with my friend.
Book: Anything by C.S. Lewis

Least Favorites
High school job: sanding furniture
Movie: Starship Troopers
Food: pickles

Other Stuff
Most embarrassing moment: "I gave an hour-long presentation in my senior economics class, and as I was walking to my seat after I finished, I realized that my fly was completely down."
Person in the Bible he most identifies with: David
Musical Influence: Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder
Pet peeve: when there's stuff that needs to get done that's not being done
Hobbies: Surfing, other random sports, photography, break dancing and swing dancing
Education: Graduated from San Diego High School in Encinitas, CA in June 1997
Invisible for a day, where would he go: I would sneak onto an airplane and fly to Tavarua. It's a tiny island in Fiji, and only 40 people are allowed on it at a time. They have the best waves in the world.
Best practical joke played on him: On my 10th birthday, I was drinking grape juice at my party. I had on a brand new (favorite) shirt, and Jon stood up in front of all my friends and said, "Drink up" and spilled it all over the front of me.
On his lunchbox when he was a kid: I didn't have anyone on mine.. It was wicker. Everyone called me "Amish boy".

This or That
Britney or Christina? Christina.
Fantasy Island or Temptation Island? Fantasy.
Driver or passenger? Passenger.
Morning or night? Morning.
New York City or Los Angeles? New York.
Pinball or PlayStation 2? PlayStation 2.
Cat or dog? Dog.
Paper or plastic? Paper.

Chad Butler

2005-12-04T10:51:00.000-08:00

Basics
Full name: Chad Matthew Butler
Band position: drums, percussion, and sings backing vocals
Birthday: March 24, 1974
Birthplace: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Current home: San Diego, California

Family
Parents: Chuck & Carol Butler
Siblings: Shawn Butler
Wife: Tina Butler
Sons: Evan Butler & Dylan Butler

Favorites
Fast food restaurant: Rubio's Fish Tacos in San Diego
Cereal: Weetabix, Frosted Mini Wheats
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Music video: Crazy - Fatboy Slim
High school job: a surfboard shop
Best movie of 2000 (hey, its the best we could do): Changes (Surfing documentary)
Book: Mere Christianity by CS Lewis

Least Favorites
High school job: washing semi trucks at the side of the freeway
movie: anything scary
Food: "None. I like everything. Even brussel sprouts."

Other Stuff
Most embarrassing moment: "When I fell asleep driving and almost killed the band. It was the first day of the tour and we were only about a half an hour into the freeway."
Person in the Bible he most identifies with: Paul
Musical influences: Stevie Wonder
Pet peeve: snakes on the floor
Hobbies: surfing (taught surfing at UCSD), art-painting
Education: Obtained a History of Science Degree at UCSD, and pursuing his Masters in Business
Bad habit: Falling asleep at bad times
Invisible for a day, where would he go: I would sneak onto the space shuttle
Best practical joke played on him: One time while I was at a bus stop, this big bully guy threw my backpack on the freeway. He didn't do it just once; he did it every day for a week. It wasn't like it was on me, he'd sneak up behind me and take it while I was talking to my friends, and throw it over a chain link fence into the first lane of traffic. Cars were going around it, and I'd have to jump out right as the bus was coming and get it while all the kids were screaming at me to get on the bus. It was horrible.
On his lunch box when he was a kid: The Muppets
Goals beyond music: I want to raise a family, learn Korean and master golf. I also want to write a book trying to explain the thrill of surfing to those who have never had the opportunity to surf. Clothing brand he'd endorse if asked: Redsand (Cool threads and even cooler people)

This or That
Britney or Christina? Christina
Fantasy Island or Temptation Island? Fantasy.
Driver or passenger? Driver.
Morning or night? Night.
New York City or Los Angeles? New York.
Pinball or PlayStation 2? Mmhmm. (agreeing w/ the others who said PS2)
Cat or Dog? Snoop Doggy Dog.
Paper or plastic? Plastic.

Jerome Fontamillas

2005-12-04T10:15:00.000-08:00

Basics
Full name: Jerome Earl Fontamillas
Band position: keyboard, guitar, backup vocals
Birthday: June 20
Birthplace: Philippines
Current home: San Diego, California

Family
Marital status: Has a girlfriend, is rumored to be engaged.

Favourite
Cereal: Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch
Music video: Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Musical influences: U2, the Beatles

Other Stuff
Hobbies: Watching films, reading books, drinking coffee, the beach, sleeping and producing & recording in the studio
Previous bands: Mortal, Fold Zandura
Other jobs? Well I quit my day job- I was working at the tallest building in LA for two days full-time. And then I quit the second day to joining Switchfoot. That's my job experience. Two days.
Fact: Jerome toured with Switchfoot for 3 or so years before getting bumped up to "Band member"
He has been in the music business for over 10 years.

This or That
Britney or Christina? Christina.
Fantasy Island or Temptation Island? Fantasy.
Driver or passenger? Driver.
Morning or night? Night.
New York City or Los Angeles? New York.
Pinball or PlayStation 2? PS2.
Cat or dog? Dog.
Paper or plastic? Plastic.

Drew Shirley

2005-12-04T10:05:00.000-08:00

Basics
Full name: Andrew Philip Shirley
Band position: guitar
Birthday: April 3, 1978

Family
Wife: Jenna Shirley
Daughter: Lauren Shirley

Least Favourites
Food: cabbage

Other stuff
Musical Influences: U2, Miles Davis, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Tommy Walker, Phil Keaggy, Michael Jackson, Dave Matthews band and The Brand New Heavies
Random facts: He was baptized at the age of 8, on a beach in Puerto Rico, by his father, a Navy Chaplain
His Mom was a high school choir teacher
He started playing guitar when he was a senior in high school, so he could lead music at his church youth group in San Diego, and has been playing ever since
Drew attended California Baptist College studying a Fine Arts degree with a Music minor. While there he started and led the Chapel Worship Team and the Thursday Night Live Bible Study.
After graduating from college, he also began working with Youth for Christ as the Riverside area Campus Life director.
Drew is a complete dork. (Like you didn't already know that.)
Drew Shirley is a really cool guy who has been touring with Switchfoot for a few years. He became an official member when their last CD came out this summer.

The Band Biography

2005-12-02T15:38:00.000-08:00

Rarely does a rock band combine explosive guitars with an intense longing for meaning. Jon Foreman and Switchfoot, however, yearn for something more than what pop-culture is selling. "If I'm content as an artist to write a hit song or have a platinum record, then I'll have failed a lot of my fellow human beings," says Jon. "We have the best jobs in the world because we play music for a living and love doing it, but we didn't get into this to try and sell something. For us, it's about communicating and connecting with people on a different level."

Switchfoot started out with Jon Foerman, Tim Foreman, and Chad Butler- three guys from San Diego who love to play music, surf and honor their Creator. The three grew up on the beaches of San Diego, surfing since their early years, competing in national amateur surfing championships and earning product endorsements from important companies.

They decided to form a band and chose the name Switchfoot, which is a surf term that is used when a surfer changes foot position on the board, gaining a new perspective. This is how they approach their music and their lives; you'll hear in their music quick changes of style, while their lyrics reflect a life lived from a different perspective than many modern rock bands. In the great tradition of overnight success stories, it was a crude demo recorded in Jon's bedroom only a few months after they started playing together that found its way to producer Charlie Peacock's home in Nashville. The originality of the music and the honesty of the lyrics captured him immediately. Shortly after a personal meeting with Tim, Jon and Chad, Charlie signed the band to his boutique label re:Think Records that is part of music giant, EMI Music.

Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and earned product endorsements from different companies, the real bond came from a common love of music. The close friendship between Chad, Tim, and Jon developed throughout the years on the road and was translated into Switchfoot's compelling live performances. Jon, Tim, and Chad played music to crowds in Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, and all across the continent supporting their albums The Legend of Chin, New Way To Be Human, and Learning To Breathe.

In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas, one of the musical masterminds behind the groups Mortal and Fold Zandura, joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals. Jerome's influence isn't hard to miss in their live performances and on The Beautiful Letdown.

On The Beautiful Letdown, Jon opens up with self-revelatory songs about hope, love, faith and the desire to be more than what he’s been sold. In spacious settings, he connects with subtle emotional power, surveying a landscape of mediocrity in “More Than Fine,” digging for painful truths in title track “Beautiful Letdown” and stepping on a distortion pedal to scream about the dissonance of the modern age in “Ammunition.” On lead single “Meant To Live,” inspired by TS Elliot’s “The Hollow Men,” he strives to survive in a world where love and hate breathe the same air.

“It’s not a dark album, but it talks about dark things that have happened to me,” says Jon, “A lot of the songs are about the hope that’s deeper than the wound and how that’s something that we can really hold onto. I think that’s something that kids are picking up on and taking with them.” He pauses and adds, “Don’t misunderstand—I have no delusions of grandeur thinking that our songs will single-handedly change the world. But change is possible and I definitely want to be a part of that. We always make it a point to talk to people outside after the shows, and I recently had a kid come up to me and give me a big hug because he was so affected by ‘Dare You To Move’ (from The Beautiful Letdown). Apparently, he was going through some really rough times and wasn’t sure if he wanted to live anymore, but heard the song and was inspired. That’s incredible. On days when you’re wondering what you’re doing playing a show in some small town in the middle of nowhere, you think about moments like that and realize that you’re part of a bigger story than your own.”

Musically, Switchfoot draws as much from the Police and James Taylor as from the Beatles and Stevie Wonder to create swirling guitar pop, full of effortlessly arching melodies and textures that shift in continual, sensual motion. “We’ve never fit in any of the genre boxes,” says Jon. “I think that diversity is our strength.”

The Beautiful Letdown comes three years after Switchfoot’s third independently-released and critically acclaimed album Learning To Breathe. In between the two discs, the band won the 2001 ASCAP San Diego Music Award for “Best Pop Album” and “Best Pop Artist,” won the 2002 ASCAP San Diego Music Award for “Best Adult Alternative and contributed five songs to the gold-certified soundtrack for the Mandy Moore film A Walk To Remember (including a duet with Jon and Mandy). “We were at the movie premiere,” recalls Jon, “And David Hasselhoff was sitting behind us bawling his eyes out with his daughter. It was a bit surreal.”

Over the course of the past several years, more than 40 Switchfoot songs have been used for several nationally televised shows, including “Dawson’s Creek”, “Regis and Kelly,” "Party of Five", "Felicity", MTV's "Tough Enough", TV movies including Disney's "Model Behavior" and many more. “The context in which the songs are used can be pretty funny,” says Jon. “I remember writing a song about spiritual longing and then seeing it played back during a hot tub scene on some show. The songs can wind up very far from the edge of the bed where they were originally written.”

In 2003, Drew Shirley, the lead guitar player of All Together Separate before they disbanded in 2002, started touring with the band playing guitar, and officially joined Switchfoot in 2005 with the release of Nothing Is Sound.

"Everybody wants a story; this is ours. It's not about putting on a show or trying to sell something. Being Switchfoot is all about putting a different foot forward, risking to change or be changed. Switchfoot is a rock and roll family of sorts. Tim, Chad, Jerome and I have seen pretty much everything over the past six years. We've done the "thirteen-hour drive" tours in the van, we've slept on the streets in London, we've gotten kicked out of the club in Hawaii, we've met our heroes and archenemies.

We've been at this ever since Tim graduated from high school: the best years of our lives playing the songs that we believe in. This is the beginning of our story. From the start we wanted to be genuine - the same people on and off stage. However, wearing your heart on your sleeve in front of an audience is a huge risk - strings break, the power goes out, fingers and memories malfunction. I used to hate playing live music for this reason. I felt like I could express what I wanted to say better on my four-track than I could on stage.

When Tim, Chad, Jerome and I joined forces I finally felt like we were saying something new as a live band, something that needed to be said. I began to love the floating moments when anything can happen next. Somewhere back there the risk of playing live became a fuel to burn and our honesty became our strength.

Our roots dig deep into San Diego. We grew up surfing every day and competing on the weekends. In fact, the name Switchfoot comes from a surfing term. We're proud of our local music scene and thankful to be a part of it. We've got our local heroes, (Mark Trombino, O, Rob Crow, John Reese) but we all come to the table with different musical backgrounds. In many ways our strength is in our diversity. Tim might wish that he were Paul McCartney but Chad would probably lean toward Stevie Wonder. I think I might go for Miles Davis but that's another story. The point is that our albums have always been hard to pin down. We've never tried for a specific sound or genre. The "Switchfoot Sound" if there is such a thing has been simply an attempt to put every song on tape with the unique production that every individual song needs. The song is king - not the album.

Switchfoot songs come from a place near the center of who I am. These songs are my way of exploring the world, and at times challenging the way things are. I've always had trouble writing the caffeinated chorus that pretends to be something that I'm not. We've never fit in any of the genre boxes, so we did our own thing, not in an attempt to be different but simply trying to be ourselves. I try to be honest in my songs and in my life as I try to wrestle with the tension of "how it is and how it should be." I want the listener to wrestle with the tension for herself because freedom and truth and love are worth fighting for. Moreover, life is worth living." - Jon Foreman

Meet Everybody!

2005-10-17T17:32:00.000-07:00

Well, first of all we'll introduce u: The Band & Us lol! :P Only Drew is missing :(