Switchfoot Show Photos - The Majestic Theatre, Madison, WI

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Reflections on a Switchfoot Show

1.  Switchfoot has been going at it for probably about 15 years now.  They sound better than ever.  I saw them seven years ago in Nashville when they opened up for the Foo Fighters.  That was an amazing show.  But after last night I simply got the sense that these guys are rock and roll veterans.  They know what they are doing.  They are extremely comfortable and they know what it takes to put on a great show.  It's really cool to see their maturity over the years.

2.  They have compiled a huge library of great rock songs over the years such that when you pick 15 songs to play in 90 minutes, every song in the show is a great song.  This is one indication that you have arrived as a band.

3.  They were extremely tight as band.  This is always inspiring.

4.  Switchfoot doesn't have one ounce of pride in their show.  You get the genuine sense they they love each other as a band, they love us as the audience, and they love this music that they are privileged to show.  The positive vibe in the room was really strong and when you are in a cool theatre that holds about 600 people is just adds to the effect.

5.  When I hear Jon sing, especially in the last few years, I get the sense that his voice is bending under the strain of all the shows over the years.  But last night he sounded better than ever, vocally speaking.

6.  It was great to take my oldest son.  He is nine.  It's a cool feeling when you share the beauty and glory of great music across generations.  All is not lost.  Great music will carry on.

7.  I have been taking a break from guitar playing over the last couple years.  I just don't have time to play and practice to maintain a satisfiable level in my view.  Last night's show made me want to make time for it again.  Maybe in the New Heavens and New Earth.

8.  If you have a chance to catch them on this tour, don't miss it.  You'll be really glad you did.

Click here to get their music.  I really like their latest record.

New Switchfoot Record

I just found out that Switchfoot had a new record released.  You can get it here for a great price.  From the sounds of it, they continue to write great rock songs.

From What Do We Need To Be Saved?

Mike Pohlman, at The Gospel Coalition Blog, reflects on a theme from the newest Switchfoot record. It's a good reminder.

BTW - You can still get the new Switchfoot record (which I have heard it very good) for $5 over at AmazonMP3. Click here to check it out.

Review of Switchfoot's Latest Record, "Hello Hurricane"

The conclusion of the review:

In all the swells and sways of grungy guitar riffs and drilling drums, there's something really authentic about Hello Hurricane. Not that it is without influences. Mandatory derivatives of Coldplay and U2 are inserted alongside tinges of The Killers and JET, and even a skosh of Modest Mouse, but the overall record feels original—thanks in part to producer/bassist-pro Mike Elizondo's (Dr. Dre, Pink, Fiona Apple) varied experience.

More than just picking up where 2006's Oh Gravity! left off, Hello Hurricane's broad musical landscape supports a deep lyrical dig into the grief of the human heart and brazenly extends eternal hope for the soul. This recording is bound to be the beginning of a meaningful new chapter for Switchfoot.

Read the rest.

Listen to clips or buy the CD here.

New Switchfoot Song

Lions, battles, and Switchfoot. Great combo.

This is a great pop song for the new Narnia movie. Check it out and support Switchfoot! They are indie now.



(HT: Timmy C.)

Foreman Interview

Audio interview with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot found here.

Jon Foreman - Winter

In case you have not heard, Jon Foreman, the frontman for Switchfoot is releasing a series of EP's with seasonal themes. I was not a huge fan of Fall, but I just got Winter today and I totally love it. It has sparse production, but cool songs with great melodies. Check it out.

Jon Foreman Solo EPs

Jon Foreman from Switchfoot is going to be releasing multiple solo EP's in the upcoming year. They will correspond with fall, winter, spring and summer. You can read more about it at www.jonforeman.com. It's look really cool.

Buster in a Switchfoot Video!

Here is the latest video from Switchfoot for a song called, The Awakening. It features Tony Hale from the greatest TV show of all time, Arrested Development. It's a great song and pretty funny video.

Switchfoot on Letterman

Tonight - Check it.

Switchfoot new video

Check out Switchfoot's new video here.

New Switchfoot Website and MySpace Page

I'm sure you are smart enough to figure out how to access each of these...

New Switchfoot Songs

Head over to Switchfoot's MySpace page to hear a couple of their new songs. The new album drops on Dec. 26th. Personally, I think "Dirty Second Hands" is a very cool song.

Switchfoot Fall Tour

Switchfoot has announced tour dates for this fall. Here they are:

Oct 17 Bakersfield, CA Fox Theatre
Oct 18 Los Angeles, CA The Roxy
Oct 19 Sacramento, CA Crest Theatre
Oct 20 Portland, OR Crystal Ballroom
Oct 21 Boise, ID The Big Easy
Oct 23 Denver, CO Ogden Theatre
Oct 25 Chicago, IL Metro Smart Bar
Oct 26 Minneapolis, MN The Quest
Oct 27 Milwaukee, WI The Rave
Oct 28 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
Oct 30 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Nov 1 Holland, MI Hope College
Nov 2 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
Nov 3 Cleveland, OH Agora Theatre
Nov 4 Lancaster, PA Chameleon Club
Nov 5 Scranton, PA Tinks
Nov 7 Norfolk, VA The Norva
Nov 8 New York, NY Irving Plaza
Nov 10 Charlotte, NC Tremont Music Hall
Nov 11 Jacksonville Beach, FL Freebird Live
Nov 12 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Nov 13 Lake Buena Vista, FL House Of Blues
Nov 14 Atlanta, GA Roxy
Nov 16 Nashville, TN War Memorial Auditorium
Nov 17 Little Rock, AR The Village
Nov 18 Tulsa, OK Cain's
Nov 20 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theatre
Nov 21 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
Nov 22 Las Vegas, NV House Of Blues

New Switchfoot Single

Switchfoot has a new single that you can buy at iTunes and other various online retailers.

iTunes users can click here to check it out. It sounds extremely cool.

Free Switchfoot Song

Click here to get a new song from Switchfoot for free. Word is that they are working on a new album due out before the end of the year. Definitely looking forward to that...

Switchfoot Update

New tour dates added, including a Nashville show. Click here.

Easier Than Love

Off any of the attempts by Christian musicians to go "mainstream", Switchfoot has to be seen as the most note worthy to date. I am a huge fan of their release "The Beautiful Letdown". Beginning to end, it is amazing songwriting and the production is far beyond the standard for most major label Christian acts. This was the album that propelled them to a very credible status in the mainstream. Which brings to mind burning question... Why is it a huge deal if the mainstream validates something that is Christian? Do we see this as evangelism? Perhaps. Or it is that we feel somehow inferior to mainstream culture, giving rise to insecurities and needs for validation? Just a random wondering... Anyway, back to Switchfoot.

On their most recent release, "Nothing is Sound" the guys are back with a great rock album, but I am afraid that is does not measure up to the epic status of "The Beautiful Letdown". To me, there are some really great songs on this latest release, but pound for pound, song for song, it is not quite as strong. One of the highlights though for me is found in the song called "Easier than Love". In essence the song discusses the lies that we believe about sex that are purported by the media. What an amazing thought that literally millions of unbelievers are going to pick up this record and perhaps have their thinking challenged on such a potentially destructive issue. Sexual lies are the cultural air that we breathe, so to see Switchfoot have a platform to communicate truth in a way that is artistically credible is very encouraging to me.

Below are the lyrics:

Sex is currency
She sells cars,
She sells magazines
Addictive bittersweet, clap your hands,
with the hopeless nicotines

Everyone's a lost romantic,
Since our love became a kissing show
Everyone's a cassanova,
Come and pass me the mistletoe

Everyone's been scared to death of dying here alone

She is easier than love,
Easier than love,
Easier to fake a smile and bribe
It's easier leave
It's easier to lie
It's harder to face ourselves at night
Feeling alone, What have we done?
What is the monster we've become?
Were is my soul?

Sex is industry,
The CEO, of corporate policy
Skin-deep ministry,
Suburban youth, hail your so-called liberty

Every advertising antic,
Our banner waves with the neon glow
War and love become pedantic,
We wage love with a mistletoe

Everyone's been scared to death of dying here alone

Sex, is easier than love