I dare you to move up the charts even higher, Switchfoot. The North County-based band's new album, “Where the Light Shines Through,” has debuted at No. 3 on Billboard’s Rock, Alternative and Overall Digital charts and No. 10 on the Billboard 200, joining fellow San Diegans Blink-182 and Pierce the Veil, who dropped into No. 1 and No. 4 on the Billboard 200, respectively. Released on July 8, Switchfoot’s 10th studio album proves that crusty surfers should never be underestimated (I should know; I have one in my band).
The album’s success caps a great two weekend run for Switchfoot, which began with the annual Bro-Am Festival in Encinitas, where they played with Echosmith on a bill that they shared with American Authors and Parachute. With a full head of steam (and luscious golden locks), they played yet another free show at Imperial Beach Pier on Sunday to thousands, maybe millions -- I was never good at guessing how many jelly beans were in the jar -- an event hosted by local radio station 91x.
The annual Bro-Am Festival raises money for Switchfoot's Bro-Am Foundation, which in turn provides shelter, food and education for kids in need (or so they say). Just kidding, I trust these guys. Plus, free concerts are pretty generous for a Grammy Award-winning band.
Switchfoot leave for their Looking for America (uh, we’re right here, guys) tour with Relient K on Sept. 19. In the words of Simon & Garfunkel, who also went to look for America, “Let us be lovers, we’ll marry our fortunes together.” Whaddya say, Switchfoot?
Rutger Rosenborg was a Stanford neuroscientist before he formed Ed Ghost Tucker. He now plays in the Lulls and makes music on his own when he's not writing. Follow his updates on Facebook or contact him directly.
