First up, after a short down time for some refurbishing, the new Switchfoot boards have launched! Check ‘em out right HERE.
So let’s break down the new features shall we? We’ve got:
- New, cleaner layout
- Sidebars
- New chat
- Enhanced post editor
- Embedding video options
- Tags
- The ability to “Like” posts
- Mobile boards for iPhone users
Nice! Everything just looks cleaner and more professional. There are still a few bugs (for example, some avatars aren’t showing up), but just give them some time and it will all be in perfect working order soon! If you don’t have an account on the boards, now is a good time to sign up!
Our friend NeedleGirl sent us the setlist and review from Switchfoot’s show at the DC Marathon on Thursday!
Here is the setlist (not necessarily in order) for Switchfoot’s March 17th show in DC:M2L introStarsThe SoundMoMThe Original (with drum bashing)The War InsideWon’t Back Down coverDareHHRestlessYLIAS (with YLIS incorporated into the bridge)Dark HorsesThis Is Your LifeAfterlifeM2LIt was an absolutely amazing show! I was in the very front row and as usual, the guys put it all out there. Jon announced that this was the first marathon they had ever been to and was probably the closest he would ever get to running in one: “I ate a donut this morning in honor of all the runners!” He made his way through the crowd several times, trying on hats and taking pictures with a fan’s camera. The runners, most of whom were in the back of the crowd behind the fams and were only casually listening to the songs, were really impacted that Jon came all the way out to them. I will always remember the huge smiles on their faces as they high-fived him back. I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that Switchfoot won over some new fans that day!One of my unfulfilled dreams is to see a Jon aftershow. Even though the loud and crowded atmosphere was against me, I spotted Ryan Nichols after the concert and asked him if he thought Jon would have one. For the record, he is as nice as the Switchfoot guys! He told me probably not, because the guys had a flight back to California in less than 2 hours. “But he might have one if he misses his flight,” Ryan laughed as he went backstage to remind the guys that they had to leave soon. And yet, their tight schedule didn’t stop Jon, Tim, and Chad from coming out after the show and posing for pictures, signing items, and just hanging out with fams and runners alike. All throughout the event, I kept hearing the same comment over and over again: “They are just the nicest guys!” I couldn’t agree more.For me, the highlight of the show was the Vice Verses performances. ”Restless”, “The War Inside”, “Dark Horses”, “Afterlife”, and especially “The Original” really took on a life of their own in the live setting and I was blown away by how incredible they each sounded. I have seen Switchfoot several times before this, but their concerts somehow manage to get better and better with each album. I was definitely left wanting more!
We found one video of Meant to Live from the show – watch it below:
Switchfoot’s upcoming shows in Hawaii and San Diego have been getting some press!
The trait which sets Switchfoot apart from most talented alternative-rock bands is their “clean” and inspirational lyrical style that appeals to both Christian and secular audiences.
Their hit tracks rock as hard and ring as clear as The Goo Goo Dolls’ or Matchbox Twenty‘s, knocking down some negative prejudices about bands who are founded on the gospel of Christianity. Many Switchfoot listeners are not even aware of the band’s proud religious stance.
Though the island does host big acts who preach while they play such as Matisyahu, few Christian alternative-rock performers who are as popular as Switchfoot have appeared that appeal equally to Maui’s secular and religious fans.
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Switchfoot To Play Intimate Show at Playhouse
The band that started here is back! Switchfoot is in town for a special show at the La Jolla Playhouse tomorrow.
Switchfoot, who hails from San Diego, started out in the Christian rock genre of music. Over the years, they’ve switched to a mainstream audience with hits like “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live.”
You can see the Grammy-winning band Tuesday in La Jolla at the Playhouse. The group is holding a special 90-minute conversation with their fans inside the playhouse, complete with some music. Switchfoot and their record producer, Neal Avron, will discuss with the audience the making of their newest album, Vice Verses. They’re also expected to play some of their hits in an acoustic-style concert.
Kaleo.org spoke with Romey about the upcoming Hawaii shows and Vice Re-Verses:
Switchfoot Starts Off Spring Break
Fifteen years ago, three young surfers from San Diego formed a rock band called Chin Up that quickly became popular in the Christian rock market. Two brothers, Jon and Tim Foreman, and their friend Chad Butler changed the band name to Switchfoot – and by its third album, “Learning to Breathe,” expanded its audience to the mainstream scene. In 2000, keyboardist and guitarist Jerome Fontamillas joined the band to help shape Switchfoot into the alternative rock band it is today.
“I think the songs that we write are not just Christian,” said Fontamillas during a phone interview. “I feel like our songs are for everyone. They’re songs about life, and faith is a big part of it.” The band’s most successful song, “Dare You To Move,” reached number 17 on the Billboard music charts and received a gold record award in 2005.
Switchfoot’s newest album, “Vice Verses,” is its second album since it broke away from the Columbia record label to make music as an independent band. “It’s influenced our sound in a way that we’re freer to create and expand our creativity,” said Fontamillas. Filled with thought-provoking lyrics about media corruption and the purpose of life and humanity, the album has harsh guitars, psychedelic ambience and even some unexpected semi-rapping by Foreman. “It’s awesome,” Fontamillas laughed.
The album will be followed on May 1 with a remix album “Vice Re Verses,” featuring bands like Mute Math, Owl City and Darren King.
“We have a few friends who said, ‘Hey, we like that song and we want to remix it,’” said Fontamillas. “It’s more electronic, more what you’ll see at a dance club.”
With eight albums since 1996, what keeps the band going? In response, Fontamillas spoke about last year’s Grammys, when Switchfoot received the award for Best Rock Gospel Album. “We were at the studio recording at the time for the album ‘Vice Verses,’ and we took a day off to go into LA,” he said. “It’s awesome that we got a Grammy, but at the end of the night, we were like, ‘I cannot wait to go back into the studio and record music.’”
For Fontamillas, this story defines why Switchfoot works cohesively as a band. “We have a common bond that we love to perform and create music. We’ve been together for so long and we help each other.” Fontamillas was in Hawai‘i last year, and he hopes to go surfing again – a sport that he said helps bring the band members together.
Aside from catching waves, Fontamillas wants to bring his family and meet his friends on the island. He said, “We hope to bring a lot of energy and a ‘San Diego’ way of a rock concert.”
Apparently Fox Sports San Diego has been playing a LOT of the guys lately… I’ve been seeing a lot of complaints (! complaints!) on Twitter about it. This news review from gaslampball.com also mentions it, saying, “They also played a lot of Switchfoot. Like over and over. I guess we have to root Switchfoot now too.” Griping aside, it’s cool to see the guys getting more coverage in the sports world!
If you’re a music lover, you’ll want to check this out. ShineFm is auctioning off a guitar on eBay, autographed by a LOT of christian music artists… including Switchfoot! It’s going for $530.00 right now. Check it out HERE! (Thanks Pam!)
Guitar Signed by 40+ Christian Artists: Third Day, Toby Mac, Switchfoot…
All proceeds go to charity!
Shine FM has been at several concerts over the past year, getting Christian artists to sign this guitar (one of two identical guitars) in order to raise money for Compassion. It’s part of our Bite Back Radiothon – providing mosquito nets for people in Haiti to “bite back” against malaria. This is a Yamaha F350 in beautiful condition with a carrying case and leather Levy’s guitar strap.
Taylor Swift, self-proclaimed Switchfoot fan, wrote a song for the upcoming movie blockbuster “The Hunger Games” (and if you guys haven’t read the books, you really should!) and YahooMusic.com wrote an article comparing the song to “Dare You To Move” – what do you guys think?
It’s a far cry from the lullaby track, “Safe and Sound,” but some are wondering if Taylor Swift went into her second song for “The Hunger Games” soundtrack with her “Eyes Open.”
In a recent article on Popdust.com, Swift’s second single, “Eyes Open,” for the film adaptation of “The Hunger Games,” is said to “essentially” sound like Switchfoot’s tune, “Dare You To Move.”
“It’s in the melody and the guitars beneath them, plus (naturally) the uplifting stuff,” Katherine St Asaph of Popdust writes. She predicts that, “This actually might be representative on Taylor’s album.”
Between 2004 and 2005, it was hard to go anywhere without hearing “Dare You To Move” on the radio or appearing on television and in movies. The most notable appearances include its presence in the teen flick “A Walk To Remember” and on the popular teen drama, “One Tree Hill.” Every once in a while, you can still hear it circulating on various radio stations, especially the Christian rock stations, and it still manages to give you goose bumps every time you listen to it.
“Dare You To Move” – Switchfoot
Although “Eyes Open” sounds similar to “Dare You To Move” in its “melody and the guitars beneath them,” Swift’s delivery also reminds us of our own Canadian pop-punk princess, Avril Lavigne.
The song sounds like it could have appeared on Lavigne’s second album, “Under My Skin,” among tracks like “Nobody’s Home” and “Slipped Away” due to the similarities in vocal phrasing and diction.
“Nobody’s Home” — Avril Lavigne
This could be a great musical direction for Swift to travel in and would push her to crossover into more music markets. Her passion is believable and this song is sure to be a favourite on the upcoming soundtrack that also features Arcade Fire, Maroon 5 and Miranda Lambert.
After listening to the samples provided in the article, do you hear the resemblances of Swift’s “Eyes Open” in relation to Switchfoot’s “Dare You To Move” and Lavigne’s “Nobody’s Home?” Leave a comment below!
You guys have been doing a GREAT job at promoting “Afterlife”, so let’s keep that going! Head over to Switchbeats.com for promotion news, links and info – then request at 2 different locations tonight!
This just in from Justin, our media intern!:
Remixes are posted HERE! Scroll to the bottom of the page to listen to and download three great remixes of Afterlife. Starting tomorrow, you can vote for your favorite at the links provided! If you made a remix and want it featured on the site, send it to us at media@landofbrokenhearts.org and we’ll put it up!
Discussion Point: It’s time for our Monday Comes Around Song Discussion! This week, we’re going to take a look at… Easier Than Love (Nothing Is Sound)! One of the most popular tracks from Switchfoot’s MAGNIFICENT “Nothing Is Sound” release, “Easier Than Love” takes a bold, unapologetic look at sex, the media and our own lusts. Let’s take a look at Jon’s song story:
Easier Than Love
Another song inspired by irony or paradox or perhaps sheer confusion. How is it that one of the most meaningful, intimate moments in a human’s life is now used to sell beverages or magazines or auto parts? And indeed, sex sells. It’s no wonder that sex is easier than love, because love is extremely difficult, almost impossible at times. I have no fingers to point, my friends, I’m simply stating the obvious and I love screaming this one out. This one was inspired by the Shins- a great band with great production elements. In many ways, Romey really made this one come alive.
Head to the comments to discuss this tune with us! What’s your favorite line? What do you take away from the song? See you there!
oh..i want that guitar in the last photo…um…jerome’s lookin so cute..with his head on the guitar..)
How cool!! I really liked The Hunger Games books.. I see the similarity with Dare You To Move. Great song, good for Taylor!
We have been discussing ETL on the boards lately.
I’m glad Jon is so open and honest about stuff like this
I really like this song. The first time I heard it, the beginning was so unexpected. It freaked me out, but I love this song. Its such a great message!
I really like the line “What is the monster we’ve become” and the line right before it, which at the moment, I can’t remember off the top of my head. but this is a really great song!
I love ETL, I remember the first time I heard it I didn’t listen to it all the way through, cuz the first verse started with “Sex is currency” and I was like whoa O.O, I thought it was gonna be a perverted song
. I really like this song though, I think my favorite verse is:
“Every advertising antic our banner waves with a neon glow War and love become pedantic, we wage love with a mistletoe”
Haha ya. I still listened to it though.
Happy Birthday, Jeanna! Thank you for doing all of this! You’re awesome xD
Great update! Like NeedleGirl, going to one of Jon’s aftershows is a dream of mine, my life would be made if I could go to an aftershow of his, haha (I’m only sort of kidding). Even though I don’t listen to a lot of Taylor Swift, I still think its cool that she is a Switchfoot fan, and I love the hunger games books! Also, in the picture where the guys are holding the guitar it sort of looks like Jon is thinking “Drew get your hands off of my guitar!”
I know exactly what you mean when you say ‘I’m only sort of kidding’!!
Easier than love is SUCH a good song, and it could be the most well written song on NIS. I just love how powerful every aspect of the song is. Personally, it amazes me that such a large majority of people don’t find it a big deal or find it wrong to sleep around with multiple people before marriage and not even be in a relationship with the other person. I find that behaivior honestly disgusting and really just animal like. Not even using emotions or reasoning, just acting out of instincts. People don’t even have any shame for what they’ve done, and I feel like this song very powerfully speaks out against what our society accepts as okay. Some of my friends at school wear skimpy clothes and are just dying for a boy to look at them, and we’re only in 7th grade! I feel sad to think that some girls only feel worth what they look like because that’s what tv shows and magazines tell them. But I don’t believe any of it because I know that all of it is wrong and is against what God has said. I also just love this song because I don’t think any other popular musician would ever dare to make the bold statement that this song does.
Great point Grace, I couldn’t agree more!
whoops, I meant Gracie, sorry haha.
Its definitely a kindred spirit to Selling the News. Both songs address things that either make people uncomfortable acknowledging or just go completely ignored by the content. And both are just lyrically insane! Theyre sooooo good!
First off, Justin; your remix was amazing! I was smiling the whole time, such a cool perspective on the song. ETL is definitely one of the hardest rockers on NiS, I especially love how Chad ends the song with that final drum fill. The verses flow well and the chorus rocks hard, and the message is powerful. What more can you ask for in a rock song?
We were just talking about ETL on the boards like yesterday!
I think its a really good messege to get out there because its something that people do all the time but are too afraid to talk about in public. My favorite part is at the end where they repeat “everyone’s been scared to death of” 3 times
It’s not an easy song to listen to but i love it!
Love Easier Than Love!!! Definitely one of my favorites.
So, guys this is my unfortunate, short story regarding the DC concert. Its been 3 days since but I’m still bummed because…you wanna know why? I was totally supposed to go! I made really good grades just so I’d feel even better about going! But guess what happened? My cousin was supposed to pick me up at 10 o’clock since the RFK stadium is just 30 minutes from where I live. My cousin lives in VA and woke up pretty early to get to my house. Even I woke up early. I was AMPED, I tell you. For some reason, my cousin took a different route instead of the easy 301 to get to my house and he got stuck.in.traffic.for.the.Longest.Time. Well, when he finally got to my house it was…11:20 am. I was PISSED. But I didnt say anything. I just told him to keep going and maybe we’d catch the very end of the show. Well, all of a sudden (my aunt and uncle were in the car too),the GPS lied, someone had to use the bathroom, someone had to get gas, someone had to eat something, someone had to blow his/her nose. By the time we reached DC, we couldnt even drive to the RFK because theyd closed off all the entrances/exists. It was 12:16 and then someone suggested we walk 2 miles in 14 minutes to catch the guys (cuz i think they were supposed to end at 12:30). I was just like forget about it. There was no way my cousin, me, and two old people could conquer two miles in 17 minutes. So we turned around and I pretended everything was fine, like I didn’t care. That would’ve been my first switchfoot concert and I am SO upset even as I type this! I’m so jealous of everyone who got to go! :’( As we drove back, Switchfoot’s “You’re Love is a Song” popped up on the radio and that nearly kiled me. When we got home, I BAWLED my eyes out for at least 7 hours and ate a giant bucket of ice cream my mom bought for me. She felt so bad too because she knew how much I’d wanted this :’( I cant belive i missed it :’( I wanted to go like crazy and it seems like it was such an awesome time for those who got to go. I think I’m going to be depressed for the rest of my life D’:
Thanks ;/ Same to you:)
Haha don’t worry, at my first and only concert I was right in front of the stage and literally five minutes before they came on my mother decided she wanted to go home :’(
So very sorry to hear that Tia…I hope you get to see them soon! They will be touring a lot this summer and hopefully you will get to go to a nearby show. Keep your eyes on new shows being added and Pray
A few things:
-I would DIE to have my guitar signed by the guys… that would just complete the vision I had for it in my head so perfectly
-Arcade Fire on the Hunger games Soundtrack!?! Yes please!!
-Easier Than Love is one of the catchiest songs on Nothing is Sound, with one of my favorite choruses! The whole song is just so electric and energetic while also being completely raw and unapologetic in its message. Jon is absolutely right when he says Love is difficult, one of the hardest things we can do
I still can’t get on to the boards… anybody else have the same problem?
Easier than love has a great message, and I love the blunt confrontation it displays, but I gotta say it, it’s my least favourite track on Nothing is Sound. That does not mean I don’t love it. I do. I just love the other ones more.
Oh, and christianmusiczine.com is having a tournament, and right now Switchfoot is up against Stellar Kart (who posted everywhere asking fans to vote for them), and SK is winning right now, so if anyone wants to vote for them, and keep them in the tourney, here’s the link: http://christianmusiczine.com/switchfoot-vs-stellar-kart/
Easier Than Love might be my favorite song on NIS, but then again, every song on that album is my favorite(: I remember listening to it when I was little and wondering, “What the heck is this song about??” But as I’ve grown older I have seen how true it really is. My favorite line is, “Where is my soul, numb” because honestly, we have become desensitised towards the wrongness of the sex and lust of our society, and we don’t turn away from it like we should.
Heey! Happy birthday, Jeanna!!
. . It is your birthday, right?
The band needtobreathe also has a song titled Keep Your Eyes Open that has a similar sound rhythmically. Not nearly as dynamic though.
Won’t say anything regarding ETL as its pretty much all been covered.
Just that the lyrics are great, and the guitars sound like giant raging beasts.
When I hear “Easier Than Love,” I think of these words from “Resurrect Me:”
I tried to drown the pain with a friend of mine/It didn’t seem to help/She’s got a pretty face with her wedding lace/But I’m still waking up with myself
Even in the context of marriage, physical love is only a part of the expression of love. Because sex has become a currency, the physical side of love is exalted above all other forms of love. I’ve been married a long time, and it’s not that part of the marriage that sustains real love.
“Easier Than Love,” carried the sentiment of not wanting to die alone, but the irony of making sex the be all and end all, is that we still wake up with ourselves.
BTW, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEANNA!
Well, duh, do you think the Taylor Swift song sounds like DYTM? Even the way she does the “eye-eyes” sounds like Jon. But, I don’t mind. I think it’s cool. SF is THE band to draw inspiration from. (I’m not sure her voice is strong enough to pull it off tho.)
“Easier Than Love” is a great song. “Sex is industry, she sells cars, she sells magazines” is so true. I sing it a lot while watching TV because sexy sells and casts spells. It’s ridiculous.
To the person who said it reminds them of “Resurrect Me”, I was thinking “Lord, Save Me from Myself” where Jon sings “Sex is a grand production, but I’m bored with that as well” is spot on. I wish I saw more creativity coming from intellect and imagination instead of the oldest ploy in the book.
BTW- You’re welcome, Jeanna! I think the pic of the guys with the guitar is priceless. Esp the look on Jon’s face. Vogue.
happy birthday, jeanna!
Happy Birthday Jeanna! It would be acceptable at this time to listen to ’24′ I believe!
Happy birthday, jeanna! Thanks for all that you do!
Definitely a song I wish was more popular. Culture might take a look at this and change it’s ways. Also a song I want to here Switchfoot do more around this topic. So many people misjudge it and go the wrong way. In church they hear it’s good and that you should enjoy it. But selective hearing was applied and they missed the part in marriage. And then culture says that it’s ok to do what you want when you want. And those that have huge outcomes will get on tv…which doesn’t help. But this song means so much to me. I like to intimidate people with it hehe. I love the chorus of this song. It’s fun to sing out loud…people look at you weird (I’ve only done it a couple times). My favorite lines are “Since when did love become a kissing show?” (as seen in school) and “Everyone is scared to death of dying here alone” really breaks into the chorus well.
I wish that song was more popular too, it has a really good message more people should know and understand in this difficult times when all you see around in the street, TV, internet, etc, is just sex.
Easier than Love is one of my favorite Switchfoot songs. I love when Jon says “fake and smile and burn” in the last chorus and the guitars stop and Chad has an epic little drum solo. That’s my favorite part.
In my opinion, Easier than Love is definitely one of the best songs on Nothing Is Sound. The first time I heard it, I was surprised by the lyrics, but as I really listened to the song I realized that it actually has a great and honest message, and I’m really glad that Jon isn’t afraid to write about topics such as God, politics and sex, its refreshing to hear songs that are this open and honest.