Chad Butler
Full Name: Chad Matthew Butler
Nickname: Chaddo, Chadwick, Trigger
Date of Birth: March 24th, 1974
Birthplace: Born in Amsterdam, raised in UK & San Diego
Height: About 179 cm (5’10)
Immediate Family: Chuck & Carol Butler (parents), Shawn (brother), Christina (wife), Evan (son), Dylan (son), Charlotte (daughter)
Hobbies: Surfing, art, reading, travel, painting.
Position in band: Drummer
Favorite food: “Sushi”
Favorite books: “The Chronicles of Narnia” C.S. Lewis
Favorite movies: “Star Wars”
Influenced by artists/albums: U2, Bob Dylan, The Police, Stevie Wonder
First bought record: Depeche Mode “Some Great Reward”
First concert: “Björk, New Order and De La Soul (at a festival).”
My hero: “My father”
Hobbies beside music: “Surfing and drawing.”
What I’d be if I hadn’t become a musician: “School teacher”
Motto in life: “It isn’t love if there’s no broken heart.”
Chad was born in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and was raised in parts of Europe and the United States. He was a preacher’s kid, and his dad was a part of the 70s band called ‘Parable’. As a kid, Chad dreamed of being a doctor, but fortunately (for us), he turned to drumming. He claims his mom is to blame for that; while she was pregnant with him, she used to sit in front of the speakers at Keith Green concerts and play the “drums” on her stomach. He received his first drum set in junior high and taught himself how to play.
Chad met Jon in high school. They were on the same water polo team, and Chad would beat up and dunk Jon, hence a strong bond of friendship was formed.
Chad went to college and obtained a History of Science degree and a Business degree. He also taught surfing classes at UCSD, where he met his future wife, Tina. He played in a variety of local bands throughout college. Chad’s band, Half Together, and Jon and Tim’s band, Etc., would often open for each other. However, when those bands broke up, he joined with Jon and Tim and formed Chin Up, soon to be known as Switchfoot.
He married his wife Tina during the making of New Way to Be Human. In 2001, she went into labor during a Switchfoot concert and later gave birth to their first child, Evan. A few years later, Tina had another son named Dylan, and in the summer of 2007 they had a little girl named Charlotte.
Chad says his worst habit is falling asleep while driving (as Jon and Tim can readily attest too, as he has nearly killed the band on several occasions) but despite that, he served as Switchfoot’s “official driver” for a time (He was the only one old enough to drive the rental car, Jon and Tim explained). Chad has also served as Switchfoot’s tour manager in the past and even contributed his artwork to a few of the band’s single releases.
Chad hates scary movies and would love to learn the vibraphone. His musical influences include Stevie Wonder, The Beatles, U2 and various San Diego bands. His drumming influences include Stewart Copeland, Dave Grohl, Matt Chamberlain, and Questlove from the Roots.
Chad currently lives in Encinitas, San Diego. When he’s not on tour you will probably find him with his family or on the beach.
Jon Foreman (lead singer, guitarist) on Chad: “Chad is a rock… not only with his timing, but with his personality. He’s as steady as they come. Back in the early days, and many times in between, he’s acted as the manager for Switchfoot. He’s a real people person, always puts others first; and he’s just the type of guy you can depend on for anything, just always there. He’s definitely the artist of the group. For instance, just two days ago, Chad was busy making t-shirts like we used to back in the old days. He’s the guy you go to for details because he is definitely the best with stencils.”
Tim Foreman (bassist) and Drew Shirley (guitarist) on Chad:
Tim: “Chad’s kind of all around. He’s the all-American.”
Drew: “He’s the diplomat to be honest. He was in the band with two brothers, mind you – from the beginning.”
Tim: “He had to break up a lot of fights.”
Drew: “He had to be the diplomat. Foreman’s have strong opinions. People with strong opinions. Any good idea is worth fighting for so Chad is very diplomatic and very un-issued. He doesn’t have issues. He strikes me all the time as just like…”
Tim: “Very even-keeled.”
Drew: “He doesn’t carry baggage.”