We've kept putting off updates on the "Awakening" video for some reason, but good news: the video is still going strong at #1 on the FUSE countdown. Since we've embedded the votebox on the switchfeed.com page, you guys have found it easy to consistently vote - a steady source of support for the FUSE countdown... thanks! So we thought maybe it's time we gave some attention to the video on VH1's Top 20 Countdown. While the video isn't on the countdown yet, we could together help get it up there by voting for it as a wildcard here. doitdoitdoit
One of our readers, Job, an example of someone who's been relentless in supporting the past few singles, has started a new blog in support of "Awakening": check it out. As a fellow fan, it's inspiring to me - let his example remind us to support the song/video in every way we can. Thanks, Job.
So it's nothing new for people to point accusing fingers at or be disappointed in Switchfoot. Many folks with good intentions and firm convictions simply misunderstand their approach. This blog is just one of many examples.
Where I take an issue...and where you and I can take an issue in our own lives...is that I've seen situations where Switchfoot has actively avoided being associated with Christian groups and that raises a question about their level of faith and their commitment to being a part of God's family. Just because you want to make an impact in the world doesn't mean you turn your back on the church or its people.
What is new, though, is seeing the same person reach an understanding of the band, and apologize to them up front. After apparently having a conversation with Chad, the same writer posted a second blog for the day, admitting that he was wrong to jump to conclusions.
Today, I'm asking the forgiveness of Chad Butler of Switchfoot for my blog today where I questioned the motivation of the band and if their hearts were really in the same place as years ago.
The reason? I talked to Chad today and a lot of issues were discussed.
Let's hear it for integrity.
If you weren't able to watch the streaming of the Rock The Boat concert provided by HollywoodJesus.com, you're in luck - they're extending the showing until June 30th. So go here and sign up to see a great performance!
The site also posted an interview that they conducted with Romey, Jon, Drew and Chad. The link hasn't worked the past few times I tried it, but fortunately a cool myspacer named james quoted the interview in a blog he wrote. As usual, Switchfoot has plenty of insightful words to offer.
The following Jon-quote from the interview, which is currently posted on the HollywoodJesus.com front page, is totally quoteworthy:
if you believe in a transcendent God, suddenly you can find yourself worshiping to Radiohead, because you feel that there's truth in that music as well.
Lastly, two videos from a couple of our YouTube friends, gzusdrvn and kblast. Thanks, guys. The first one is a backstage moment from "Rock the Boat", and the second is a "backstage" view of Switchfoot performing at that Apple Store recently.
OMG!! I LOVE THOR RAMSEY!!!!i watch him on banana's all the time! "I also love with a capitol L!"-JON FOREMAN "And thats why they called them little women" "Read it again. *tear*" i just love the hole thing! ~lydia
@Joy*: yah i think that it isn't fair for ppl to criticize other people/bands publicly (or on the internet). but yay for that person for admitting they were wrong. that takes some guts.
the RTB backstage video is totally priceless.
@Anonymous: i personally consider Switchfoot to be Christian rock, i dont know that thats their actual classification. i, like Jon says in that quote, often find myself worshipping to music (like Switchfoot) that isn't defined as "worship music" by most people.
Everything was grear! There was so much that i did not know about. Thanks for all the information. I'm glad to see that someone that was misunderstood about Switchfoot figured out that they were misunderstood and now have the right definition about them.
n/e ways, way to put the spotlight on VH1! we really need to get it on there, because Vh1 belongs to MTV. If we get attention on VH1, then MTV might add it! Cheers, -Job
jessica, were yuo taking about my last comment? if you were than thanx! i just don't like if when people say that they can't understand how switchfoot is or could be or are a Christain band or a band of Christians...if that make sence? anyway i love sf anyway they are..but the main reason is cuz their not afraid to BE a Christian band!!! GOTTA LOVE THAT!!
@Lydia: maybe i came across wrong...i totally think switchfoot is a Christian band! like u said- does anyone listen to the words? its only KINDA obvious *sarcasm there* that their 5 guys singing about God. Jon once said that if you don't read the Jesus element into it, then yur missing a lot of the points for a lotta the songs. (thats me paraphrasing his quote.)
Yeah you gotta read Jesus into the songs and if you don't then you are missing a lot of points for the songs... I agree with Jon!! Oh and yeah that backstage video was really funny, they crack me up!!LOL!! ;)
@die-to-live i wasn't saying that no one gets it i was saying that people can tell when a band is Christain because you can see the Spirit of the Lord flow through them! i agree with you[even about the sarcasm] lol...but i think it's totally weird that people are questioning them about being Christian! "you don't ask questions just to get an answer" i think you know who said that well i think these people are doing just so! they want to know..why can't they listen and ponder..and well..they should hear that interview i quoted it from!!! am i making any sence????tell me if im crazy!!!LOL!!
a little surprised no one's said this yet, but switchfoot is NOT a 'christian band' per se. they've said it time and again that the term 'christian rock' puts them in a box that they don't want to be in - their music is for everyone. if people call them a 'christian band' they want it only to be because of how they live their lives, treat the poor, etc. (did you actually read that interview?)
anyone who's read the following words from jon would never call them 'christian rock':
"To be honest, this question grieves me because I feel that it represents a much bigger issue than simply a couple SF tunes. In true Socratic form, let me ask you a few questions:
Does Lewis or Tolkien mention Christ in any of their fictional series?
Are Bach's sonata's Christian?
What is more Christ-like, feeding the poor, making furniture, cleaning bathrooms, or painting a sunset?
There is a schism between the sacred and the secular in all of our modern minds. The view that a pastor is more Christian than a girls volleyball coach is flawed and heretical. The stance that a worship leader is more spiritual than a janitor is condescending and flawed. These different callings and purposes further demonstrate Gods sovereignty. Many songs are worthy of being written. Switchfoot will write some, Keith Green, Bach, and perhaps yourself have written others. Some of these songs are about redemption, others about the sunrise, others about nothing in particular: written for the simple joy of music. None of these songs has been born again, and to that end there is no such thing as Christian music.
No. Christ didnt come and die for my songs, he came for me. Yes. My songs are a part of my life. But judging from scripture I can only conclude that our God is much more interested in how I treat the poor and the broken and the hungry than the personal pronouns I use when I sing. I am a believer. Many of these songs talk about this belief. An obligation to say this or do that does not sound like the glorious freedom that Christ died to afford me. I do have an obligation, however, a debt that cannot be settled by my lyrical decisions
My life will be judged by my obedience not my ability to confine my lyrics to this box or that. We all have a different calling; Switchfoot is trying to be obedient to who we are called to be. Were not trying to be Audio A or U2 or POD or Bach: were trying to be Switchfoot. You see, a song that has the words: Jesus Christ is no more or less Christian than an instrumental piece. (I've heard lot's of people say jesus christ and they weren't talking about their redeemer.) You see, Jesus didnt die for any of my tunes. So there is no hierarchy of life or songs or occupation only obedience.
We have a call to take up our cross and follow. We can be sure that these roads will be different for all of us. Just as you have one body and every part has a different function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each of us belongs to all the others. Please be slow to judge brothers who have a different calling and thank you for reading."
now your making me feel bad i didn't mean it in that way! i did read the interview! and i hate putting people in boxes so im sorry if i did! =( IM SORRY!!!
I was going to post something along those lines Phil... lol. But then I read your comment. nice.
Switchfoot doesn't want to be labled a Christian Band because their music is for eveyone and many people won't even pick up a CD if they see it in the Christian section.
Yes, God plays a huge roll in their lyrics, but that is because Jon writes from his experiences and heart, and Jesus plays a part in every aspect of his life.
It is often said that they are Christian by choice, not genre...
:)
And Yes, we neeeed to get SF on the VH1 countdown!! I watch the top 20 countdown every week and wish that they would be on it! There are some artists (i'm sorry to say) that I can't believe make the countdown. lol
haha! I found the quote I was looking for that I was going to post. Kinda long the same lines of Phil's but shorter... :)
"Yeah, we always grew up playing in clubs and bars and churches. I guess for us we didn’t realize that there was a Christian music industry per se. So after we got signed, when you go to Nashville, you realize that it’s one or the other type of mindset that a lot of people have. I don’t know that we’ve ever had that mindset. We play music for everyone. I think that it’s a very dangerous thing to stamp something with the name of Christ and say this is sanctioned by Christ himself, by calling it Christian. I think for us as a band we’ve never done that with our music. If other people have said we’re a Christian band, hopefully it’s by the way that we’re treating each other and feeding the homeless, that type of thing than anything that would be done on stage. The point is, it’s a lot easier to say something on stage than to live it out. And for us that’s the challenge, trying to do both. Not only just talk about it but do it." - Jon Foreman
i just want to let you all know i just got back from ALIVE where all of you made my life because i not only got to hear what you all had to say about you christian beliefs which was totally amazing and powerful but i also got to meet all of you and me and my best friend got to go onstage i want to say thank you so much and i will never be able to repay you with the gratitude i have for what you gave me and my friend so thanks and much love
urgh. i seem to be having a really hard time communicating... @phil: that was totally what i meant when i said i consider switchfoot Christian...i just did a REALLLLLY bad job of saying it, which i apologize for. and thank u so much for putting that Jon stuff in here...i guess it's pretty obvious why God let Jon get famous and not me...Jon can actually verbalize a thought in a well-spoken manner. so can Phil. :) @Lydia: no yur not crazy! lol.
oh yeah! its about time someone appoligized to these guys. i read a complaint in "to the editor" of CCM. its was so terrible! i shredded it. how can some people be so blind to how much they serve God?
Okay, I watched the behind the scenes from RTB, but I couldn't turn the sound on (damn work) and I STILL laughed. lol
oh and the Amy's Song video from the Apple Store show so needs to be posted.