|
|
 |
Switchfoot.
 San Diego based four-piece Switchfoot will soon be heading to our fair shores to support the release of their latest album 'The Beautiful Letdown', a radio-friendly guitar-rock affair with a bit more of a soul than your average American pop record. Having made a quick stop off to play a round of dates on the east coast last year, drummer Chad Butler was quite excited about the prospect of coming back again for their upcoming national tour.
"We were just over there last September, we did a couple of shows in Sydney and Melbourne, we were kind of in-and-out but we loved it and can't wait to get back. The strangest part was that people knew the words: when we played in Sydney everybody was singing along which was tremendous, so I'm really looking forward to coming over."
Switchfoot was formed in the mid-90s by Jon Foreman (vocals & guitar), his brother Tim (bass) and Butler, with Jerome Fontamillas (guitar & keys) joining the band in 2000. They released their first album, 'Legend Of Chin', in 1997, followed up by 'New Way To Be Human' in 1998 and 'Learning To Breathe' in 2000, all independently released through small American label, re:Think. Prior to releasing their latest album they ended up signing with Columbia.
As this was their first album on a major label I wondered whether being signed made any difference when it came to the recording process.
"We actually recorded the album prior to signing to Columbia, and they picked it up when it was being mixed," Butler explains.
The feeling of still being an independent band whilst recording was something Butler was thankful for.
"The artistic freedom we had being independent at that point was great as we didn't have the usual commercial pressure."
Although the album may be their first on a major Butler wouldn't have had it any other way.
"We've been touring for a long time and I'm glad we didn't break the surface on our first album; it took us time to tour and learn how to play live, learning how to translate what we were doing on the albums to our live show."
Speaking of touring, Butler informs me that he and his fellow band mates have been on the road for the better part of the last two years, with the band having started to tour internationally in the last six months or so. Spending most of the year away from family and friends must be hard sometimes but Butler doesn't seem to mind.
"We wouldn't do it if it wasn't something we all believed in, it's the best job in the world, you get to tour with your best friends, it's awesome, I can't complain."
The band also happen to be keen surfers; in fact, 'Switchfoot' is derived from a surfing term. Unsurprisingly it isn't long before Butler asks me how far Adelaide is from Bells Beach, a place he surfed on a previous Australian holiday. Having, somewhat ashamedly, no idea off the top of my head, I tell him I'm not too sure [near Torquay in Victoria: surfing ed.]. However, I do ask him whether the band is planning on squeezing in some surfing during their tour later this month. "We're always looking to go while we're on tour, we've got a couple of days off so we'll be looking for waves."
'The Beautiful Letdown' has been the band's most successful record to date, although Butler says it wasn't something that they really thought about or planned.
"The only difference for us between this album and the last one is that there is more people listening this time which is amazing, it's a good feeling," he states. "It's never been about the numbers, we were just really excited about this batch of songs and we think it's the best effort we have put out yet."
Butler firmly believes a band must put in the hard yards for any success they manage to achieve. "We just want to grow slowly and not miss any steps - you've got to pay your dues first, I'm really excited about getting over there and hopefully the shows are going to be great."
Simon Foster
 | Switchfoot play Heaven on Fri 25 Feb. |
|
|
The latest issue
available now!
|
