Switchfoot und Hoobastank

Starting in 1996, the band have become known for their alternative rock guitar driven tracks and their ability to mix it up with more slow tempo songs intertwined with elegant string arrangements. With influences ranging from U2 to Bob Dylan and Dave Matthews Band has provided them with universal appeal. Often labelled as ‘an alternative Christian rock band’ as a result of tremendous support from several Christian rock radio stations based on the band’s personal beliefs. In a 2003 interview with Rolling Stone, frontman Jon Foreman spoke up on the categorisation by stating “We’re Christian by faith, not genre”.

In 2002, four Switchfoot tracks (including the hits: “Dare You to Move” and “Learning to Breathe”) featured heavily in the blockbuster “A Walk to Remember” garnering interest with several record labels. Making the decision to sign with Sony BMG, the band released their first major label album “The Beautiful Letdown” in 2003 which helped catapult them into the mainstream allowing them to successful complete the crossover transition. The critically acclaimed album was a huge success, selling over 2.6 million copies and achieving double platinum status.

Experimenting with stylistic nuances meandering through their distinctive sound and incorporating synth elements created another dimension to the band’s musical ingenuity and extending their widespread appeal.

Mirrored by their various successes, throughout their lengthy career Switchfoot have been highly revered by the industry amassing several accolades including: a Grammy Award in 2011 for the album “Hello Hurricane” as Best Rock or Gospel Album, three ASCAP awards and 11 GMA Dove Awards.

As a band who constantly tour their extensive back catalogue, Switchfoot have built up a passionate following and incredible reputation for the energetic and memorable performances.

Hoobstank, came together when Doug Robb, Dan Estrin and Chris Hesse decided to start a band. In the early stages of their career, they landed local support slots supporting bands such as Incubus. They released their debut album on their own in 1998, entitled “They Sure Don’t Make Basketball Shorts Like They Used To”. Their reputation was growing slowly but surely, especially in the Southern California area, which caught the attention of Island Records, who signed Hoobastank in 2000.

Hoobastank released their eponymous official album on November 20th 2001, lead by the single “Crawling in the Dark”, which set the tone for the record and charted in the US, UK and Australia. This was followed by “Running Away”, which went to number 2 in the US Alternative chart.

Following international chart success and an international tour, Hoobastank made a comeback with their brand new album called “The Reason”, released on December 9th 2003. “Out of Control” was the first single to be released on the label, which went to number 9 in the Alternative chart. It was the title track of the album that became an international hit and the band’s trademark making it to number 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 Chart charting in Australia, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Austria and UK. The single went Gold whilst the album went 2x Platinum, peaking at number 3 in the Billboard 200.

The band’s third full-length album, “Every Man for Himself” released on May 16th 2006, made it to number 12 in the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold. The sequential album “For(N)ever” made it to number 26 on the Billboard 200.

On December 8th 2009, the band released a live album “Live from the Wiltern”.