Christian Rock - Switchfoot and P.O.D.
Christian rock has went mainstream, thanks to some groups who have had crossover success. Two groups who are popular today and have been for the past couple of years are Switchfoot and P.O.D.
Switchfoot is a Christian rock, alternative band from San Diego. The members are Jon Foreman, vocals and guitar; Tim Foreman, bass; Chad Butler, drums; Jerome Fontamillas, guitar and keyboards; and Andrew Shirley, guitar. Their latest album, Nothing is Sound, is the follow-up to their successful album, The Beautiful Letdown, which sold two and a half million copies. Switchfoot’s songs contain thoughtful, questioning lyrics, along with big hooks and loud guitars. This Christian rock bank toured non-stop over the last two years; in fact, Nothing is Sound was recorded while on the road. The band would test songs at concerts and chose the songs that are on the album based on the audience response.
For the last few years, the band has been active in Bono’s charity organization DATA, which promotes AIDS awareness and debt relief for developing nations. The band took a trip to South Africa, which lead singer Jon Foreman describes as a turning point in his life.
Another popular Christian rock group right now is P.O.D. P.O.D.’s music is a combination of Christian rock, metal, reggae, and Latin music. They, too, are from San Diego just as Switchfoot are. Although they aren’t completely classified as a Christian rock band, the members are born-again Christians, and their faith is central to their music. Formed in 1992, P.O.D. went on to play shows across the United States throughout the 1990s and sold more than 40,000 copies of their own homemade EPs. Soon, Atlantic Records heard them and took a liking to their music and their passion for it and offered them a record deal in 1998. Their first album with Atlantic Records, The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, went platinum. In 2000, they toured with Ozzfest. Their next album, Satellite, was released in 2001, and produced the hit songs “Alive” and “Youth of the Nation”. Next came Payable on Death, and their latest release Testify, which was just released this year.
Christian rock bands such as Switchfoot and P.O.D. appeal to many because the style of music is popular today and similar to other popular secular artists out there. What makes these bands different is the message they give in the lyrics. Whereas much of the music today is filled with negativism, raunchiness, violence, and bad language, these Christian rock bands offer a positive message of hope and faith, all because of one person, Jesus Christ.
Check out these Christian rock bands and other bands such as Reliant K, Jars of Clay, Third Day, Barlow Girls, and Kutless.