Switchfoot has become a successful rock band in the past two decades, releasing 12 albums and selling more than 10 million copies. Their first mainstream success was “The Beautiful Letdown,” released in 2003.
In May 2023, they re-recorded their own deluxe version of the album called “The Beautiful Letdown (Our Version).” This edition featured contributions from Tyler Joseph, Reliant K, The Jonas Brothers, Owl City, Ingrid Andress, and Sleeping At Night among others. After selling more than five million concert tickets and playing at sold-out tours in 40 countries, Switchfoot decided to tour again with their most well-known album for its 20th anniversary.
Humble Beginnings
It all began in 1996 in San Diego with Jon Foreman on guitar and vocals, Tim Foreman on backup vocals and bass, and Chad Butler on drums. Back then they were called Chin Up and gained success and notice in the contemporary Christian music scene. One person who took particular interest was Charlie Peacock, who signed them to Re:think Records as Switchfoot.
The name Switchfoot came from their mutual love of surfing. When you switch your feet on the board, you are taking a new stance in the opposite direction. The band wanted that feeling to surround them, of approaching music and life in a different way.
Early plans had always included breaking out of the Christian music scene and reaching a larger audience in the rock community. However, Re:think Records was bought by a Christian label, Sparrow Records before any albums could be released and Switchfoot’s first three albums, “The Legend of Chin,” “New Way to Be Human,” and “Learning to Breathe” would be marketed for Christian radio.
2002 was their ticket to breaking into mainstream music as they wrote four songs for the soundtrack of the film A Walk to Remember. Following this success, they released “The Beautiful Letdown” in 2003, featuring singles “Dare You to Move” and “Meant to Live” with Columbia Records. This sound was a little different from their previous gospel albums with a layered sound thanks to the addition of Jerome Fontamillas on keyboard.
One of their most successful albums, “The Beautiful Letdown” sold more than 2.6 million copies in addition to a live DVD of concert footage going platinum.
After a few more albums with Columbia, in 2007, Switchfoot decided to go out on their own record label to be able to produce more of the sound they were looking for. They called it lowercase people records.
Giving Back
That fall they set out on their “Appetite for Construction Tour” with one dollar of every ticket sold going to Habitat for Humanity. They raised more than $100,000. The following May they had another small tour to benefit To Write Love on Her Arms.
Switchfoot has also worked hard to give back to the community they loved more than anything: San Diego. In 2005, they founded the Bro-Am organization, which gives assistance and grants to disadvantaged youths and the homeless.
Realizing how music and surfing had been such an integral part of their success, they wanted to give that same feeling back. These were the keys to helping them stay out of trouble and so they wanted to show at-risk kids that they were worth something.
They wanted to throw a big beach party where everyone could have fun and feel included and so the Bro-Am Beach Fest was born. The Benefit Party consists of over 500 influencers, musicians, artists, and industry leaders gathering to raise funds. The Beach Fest invites over 15,000 people to surf, eat, listen to music, and party on the beach.
The biggest goal of this fundraising event is to invest in the next generation. This year, sustainable practices were emphasized, including BYO reusable water bottles, water refill stations, and waste education.
The last leg of the American side of “The Beautiful Letdown” World Tour will move toward the midwest, playing Cleveland’s House of Blues Oct 3 and Milwaukee’s The Rave Oct 8, before heading down south. The rest of the year will finish with dates in Ireland, England, and the U.K. Tickets are still available and can be purchased on the band’s website.
