Switchfoot Biography

Switchfoot
Switchfoot. EMI
by Kim Jones
Kim Jones is an ordained minister and a founding member of the band Road to Revelation Ministries. Jones has written for Music Times, PopCircle, and New Groove Music.
Updated November 20, 2017

Switchfoot Formed

Switchfoot formed in 1996 in San Diego, California.

Switchfoot Band Members

  • Jon Foreman - lead vocals and guitar - Hometown - San Bernardino, CA (married - birthday October 22)
  • Tim Foreman - bass - Hometown - Lake Arrowhead, CA (married)
  • Chad Butler - drums - Hometown - Amsterdam, Netherlands (married with children - birthday March 24)
  • Jerome Fontamillas - keys and backup guitar - Hometown - Philippines (married - birthday June 20))
  • Andrew Shirley - guitar - (married with a daughter - birthday, April 3)

Switchfoot Bio

Switchfoot is an alternative rock band that was formed by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman and their surfing buddy, Chad Butler. Though they competed in national surf championships on weekends and were good enough to earn product endorsements from equipment companies, their real passion was music. The guys formed a band (originally known as Chin Up) and they released three albums before making their major label debut in 2003.

In 2001, Jerome Fontimillas joined the band playing keys, guitar, and singing background vocals.

Drew Shirley started touring with the band as a guitarist in 2003. He officially joined Switchfoot in 2005.

Switchfoot Releases

Albums

  • Fading West, 2014
  • Vice Verses, 2011 
  • Hello Hurricane, 2009
  • Oh! Gravity, 2006 
  • Nothing Is Sound, 2005
  • The Early Years: 1997-2000, 2004 
  • The Beautiful Letdown, 2003
  • Learning To Breathe, 2000 
  • New Way To Be Human, 1999
  • The Legend Of Chin, 1997 

DVDs

  • Switchfoot - Live in San Diego, 2004 

Switchfoot News & Notes

Switchfoot Trivia

  • Jon Foreman attended UC San Diego and was on the surf team.
  • Tim Foreman has been playing bass since the fifth grade.
  • Chad Butler has a degree in History of Science, from the University of California at San Diego.
  • Jerome Fontamillas attended the Cornerstone festival thirteen times.
  • Andrew Shirley was baptized by his dad at the beach in Puerto Rico.
  • Switchfoot Lyrics Challenge

Switchfoot Awards

  • 9 ASCAP San Diego Music Awards including "Best New Artist," "Best Pop Artist," "Album of the Year" and "Song Of The Year"
  • 9 Dove Awards including "Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year"
  • Jon Foreman, 2001 Gibson Guitars' Les Paul Award for "Most Promising Up-And-Coming Guitarist"

Switchfoot Links