Switchfoot: Beyond the Letdown

It seems like for the last few years the music of Switchfoot has been inescapable. The band’s 2004 release, The Beautiful Letdown, became a double-platinum hit propelling the group of part-time surfers and indie-rock staples into international superstardom. But for many of Switchfoot’s most devoted listeners, it comes to no surprise that the mainstream music industry has finally discovered what had been one of Christian rock’s best kept secrets.

The San Diego outfit released their debut album, The Legend of Chin, in 1997 after earning a reputation as one of Southern California’s best young bands. For the next seven years, the five-piece alt-rock favorites released a series of solid records that showcased their catchy blend of fuzzed-out guitar driven rock and poignant lyrical skills.

With years of relentless touring, the group gained a devoted following of fans and soon began to lend their songs to movie soundtracks and TV shows.

Switchfoot’s music draws from personal experience and big ideas, but their passion goes deeper than just releasing powerful music. The band has taken their social-consciousness message to new levels by establishing the Lowercase People project. The quarterly online magazine (lowercasepeople.com) will serve as a forum for artists, musicians and thinkers to collectively showcase their talents and join together help others.

The first issue (which is online now) contains features on social justice, new bands and cutting edge designers. From pop-punk bands to African children’s choirs, the website will allow people to enjoy diverse abilities from different cultures.

This all comes on the heels of the band’s most energetic album to date, Nothing is Sound. The record is packed with the inspirational anthems and dynamic idealism that has made Switchfoot one of rock’s biggest bands. With their latest and most ambitious album they don’t have anything to prove, but the men of Switchfoot are on a mission.

By Jesse Carey