SWITCHFOOT

Few American rock bands have moved from a small Christian label to the Billboard top three without losing their sense of restlessness, yet Switchfoot did exactly that. Formed in San Diego, California, in 1996 by brothers Jon and Tim Foreman with drummer Chad Butler, the group began under the name Chin Up before settling on a title borrowed from surfing, a phrase Jon Foreman takes to mean a new stance facing the other way. Their sound has grown from lo-fi indie rock into something layered and synth-tinged, and their live shows are known for their energy. Current guitarist Jerome Fontamillas has been part of the line-up since 2001.

Their breakthrough came in 2002, when four of their songs featured in the film A Walk to Remember. That exposure led to The Beautiful Letdown in 2003, an album that carried the hit singles Meant to Live and Dare You to Move and went on to earn triple platinum certification. Nothing Is Sound followed in 2005 with guitarist Drew Shirley, and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, the highest chart placement of the band's career. Their seventh album, Hello Hurricane, later won a Grammy for Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album.