Welcome to 'The Beautiful Scrapbook' Archives.
This is Jon Foreman's tour diary that he kept for
Switchfoots FIRST headlining tour back in 2003.
Enjoy!
8/18/2003 - LA, CA USA [El Ray - Music Choice video shoot ]
This was a concert and a video all wrapped up into one. This free event has The Thorns, Wilshire and ourselves on stage.
- jon
8/14/2003 - Grand Rapids, MI USA [Rosa Parks Circle ]
The day the traffic stopped. We had power today which is more than can be said of the western part of the state. We were sitting in TGIF right near our hotel watching the news, wondering what�s going on. Our manager was in NY today for some meetings. He was in NYC on 9-11 too. Our first thought is to make sure that he�s OK and let him know what�s going on. So we called him first. Called my relatives in Detroit next. Crazy, the world we live in. It�s terrible that our first thoughts are fears of terrorism. Fortunate that this didn�t happen in the middle of winter. The heat is one thing, the ice is another. Glad that nothing crazy happened. The show was insane. Have you ever seen that part in Rattle and Hum where they�re playing outside and Bono spraypaints, �rock and roll stops the traffic� I thought about that today. Tonight was bigger than Rock and Roll. I felt like we really had something to say tonight. Outside, 3,000+ people, really loud stage, (my ears are still ringing), and one truth. Tonight was a gift.
- jon
8/13/2003 - Columbia, SC USA [Crocodile Rocks]
How the tide has turned! Yes indeed, a wacky night. Took the red eye out to the east coast. The Marine sitting in the seat behind me threw up three times into the isle. This morning I was inches away from throwing up myself. Had the chills. Had a headache. Felt like crap. In between every song I thought I was going to fall over. It�s crazy though, when I was singing I was fine. Call it distraction or purpose it was a great night to be alive. The radio station was so good to us. A bunch of really great people to meet. I hope to be back in the fall.
- jon
8/11/2003 - LA, CA [Meant To Live" video shoot ]
Stayed at this swanky place last night... Funny stuff, all that swank. The new swank, you know: super ultra modern, uber-hip, uber-cool... We showed up at 2 pm barely awake, definitely out of place, it�s like stepping onto another planet. Yes, yes, ya�ll... It was a hot, hot, hot day today in LA. Everyone was sweating just standing around, we on the other hand were rocking as hard as we could. A warm, wet, wonderful experience. Many great memories. I won�t give anything away, but the rooms were really beautiful looking. The coloring reminded me of Amelie, very vibrant, lived in, and full of life. My favorite part of the shoot was seeing a piano sawn in half, either that or simply playing the song in that setting. I have a haunting suspicion that the new video will be very neat-o. Don�t quote me on that one. We�ll have it finished in a few weeks, you can decide for yourself.
- jon
7/24/2003 - George, WA USA [Creation '03 ]
The gorge is amazing. Simply amazing. One of the most beautiful places to play music that I can think of. However, outside of the sweaty rock club sound seems to escape too fast. I had a hard time feeling it today. You know those days that you're really having to work for it, this was one of them... Those can turn out to be the best shows after all. Climbed up in the scaffolding today to try and get a better view to start off Dare. That was a really great memory. Yes indeed I want more than this world's got to offer. All in all a great day... Got to see the boys from Pax, Paul Coleman trio, Sanctus Real, Sixpence... Well, the boys and girls... Had a wonderful time. Great to stop and enjoy the view.
- jon
7/20/2003 - Maui, HI USA [Maui @ Lahaina ]
Another outdoor event. The people tonight were really great. It had a real small town feel. Really. Amazing people. I think Maui might very well be my favorite island. Willis Chin lived here for a while... met a lot of folks who told me to send alohas back home to Willis in SD. Played with a band called Olivia: good guys... they're moving to San Diego I think. Met a guy named Ivan who we're going to go surfing with tomorrow morning. Ivan films water-shots at Jaws, which makes me respect him all the more. We're going to hit a spot called shark pit. I've surfed there like five times before, a good bowly little left about a quarter mile out. Hopefully there will be swell...! Tomorrow morning will come quickly, goodnight.
- jon
7/19/2003 - Honolulu, HI USA [Honolulu @ Waikiki Shell ]
The Waikiki shell is a really unique place. I don't think elvis ever played here... but he should have. A mental snapshot that I took of the evening: a polite rain falling on the crowd. I could taste it on my lips, sweet on my tongue. The shower was lit by the spotlight near the back of the amphitheater. The night air filled the rest of my eyes: black and unattainable darkness. I was glad to be a part of things. Always a humbling thing. This life, this present tense is a messy thing. Now we see reality as through a dirty window. Let me never claim to know it all- I never will! May the eternal mysteries of your presence always astound me. Keep me humble. Focused on the things that matter.
- jon
7/11/2003 - Oshkosh, WI USA [LIFEST 03]
Oshkosh. Good to see the Relient K bros. Here's the thing: If you play mainstage everyone always feels very far away. So I have to get up in there with everyone. Cordless mics are good business. Home for a day then off to HI, (which any sailor worth his salt can tell you that HI stands for Hawaii) to quote radiohead, "it's gonna be a glorious day."
- jon
7/10/2003 - Detroit, MI USA [Small's]
Detroit. This show was thrown in at the last minute. We thought no one would show up! Twenty minutes after the doors opened the place was full to capacity. I was down the street eating Thai food when I got a call that people were waiting outside who weren't going to be able to get in. So I cruised back to meet a couple kids. There were more than hundred people standing around, so I stood up on top of our van and played a couple of songs. That type of thing has got to be one of my favorite things to do: the spontaneous events that can't be planned, where anything can happen! People driving by honking, people singing, shouting... anything goes. The show inside the club was a hot one. Lot's of people in that little room! I had a great time.
- jon
7/8/2003 - Kendallville, IN USA [Noble County Community Fair ]
Kendleville. Believe it or not we've played this town 4 or five times. It rained hard today. Almost didn't play. I was just about to go out and play a couple tunes under the grandstand with my acoustic guitar. But the clouds parted and we went for it. The crowd was amazing. Better than the rain. We were fighting the rain all night. tim's bass, my mic, the acoustic... But the evening was meant to happen for reasons other than our own. That's always a good thing to be reminded of.
- jon
7/5/2003 - Marietta, IL USA [Cornerstone Festival]
Cornerstone has always been a sticky place. I can't really imaging those fields in the winter: without the three day old black t-shirts, the indie rock drifting through the sweat... Cornerstone has always felt like a group of discerning ears. I have been so excited about our spot this year: After Pedro and before Sixpence. Pedro was great. Bad Diary Days always wrecks me. Le me tell you, that song is so heavy. The light rain was really nice, especially with how dark the clouds looked. Our first time playing C-stone we had to sneak in... Stayed up all night and got to the airport early the next morning. Took the same plane as Sixpence. They sounded great last night, they always do.
- jon
7/4/2003 - Hartford, CT USA [WMRQ Radio Show]
Took the red eye yesterday. Those always leave in me a strange place: wanting to be asleep or fully awake- stuck inbetween... a miserable place... the red eyes, the brittle skin and weakness, the dry mouth... always wondering if the extra day at home was worth it- of course it was! Sometimes the things that hurt are worth the pain. So here we are, several hours later after a couple hour nap at the hotel. I feel so much better. The scene at the hotel is pretty surreal- A bunch of rock bands at the same place means all sorts of attitudes. We're loading our gear into one of two limos that the radio station set up for us, we'll ride over in the other one. Yes folks, believe it or not, aside from the novelty of the limo thang I think I prefer a 15 passenger van. I've always said that I couldn't ever own a convertible. As much as I would enjoy the ride and the sunshine, I hate being stared at. Or rather, I hate the idea that people might assume that I want to be stared at. That might sound odd for a guy who really enjoys playing music in front of people. The music somehow makes a bridge that allows anyone across. So the limo thing is weird. Especially when other bands might think that we're that type of bands. Then I'm thinking too hard-forget it! Put no stock in appearances, friends The show went great. I had a wonderful time. My guitar strap broke among other standard switchfoot anomalies. I just threw myself around and jumped into the crowd. Great crowd. Hoobastank played great, really nice guys, some of their crew in from PB, flew out on the same red eye. Hot Hot Heat has a great sound. Good guys. Look forward to seeing the play again.
- jon
6/26/2003 - Shirleysburg, PA USA [Creation 03]
Took the redeye to Pittsburg. Hop in a couple mini vans and begin the drive. When we first arrived in the early morning the day was beautiful. The trees outside the airport were wincing, bracing themselves for the coming heat. And it came. Not horribly hot, but pretty darn hot. I made a new friend today. My new friend Kyle in the front row made a sign with a check list of things for us to do during our show. Play meant to live- check. Sing into my guitar- check. Invite Kyle up onstage- check. Look over at Jerome to have him tell me that the keyboard has overheated and is no longer functioning- check. Wait, check? what? The keyboard won't work at all? Yup. Creation East. Oh, Creation East. Why is it that horrible things happen to us at this festival!? Every time we play mainstage things go crazy wrong. A couple years ago the band before us spilled water on romes stuff so it didn't work, I broke three strings, and rome broke one. I think bad things happened to Tim and Chad but I must have blocked them out. It was the worst show in SF history. Today however, was different. We rocked them without a keyboard. Just guitars for the first five songs- nothing left to do but throw the set-list out the window and jump into the crowd. So that's what I did. I had a great time and there was a spare keyboard that we borrowed halfway through the set. Go to see a couple of friends too. The ghost of Creation East past had been defeated! For now...
- jon
6/20/2003 - N. Lawrence, OH USA [Alive Festival]
I have many fond memories at Alive Fest. Today was one of them. Great to see old friends. Moreover, that was a really great show. I felt very confidant. We spent a good amount of time beforehand figuring things out, changing things up to make the show unique, focusing. That type of thing really helps me to prepare mentally. Incredible crowd! 20,000 people! We got an encore. which was really surprising for a festival. That never happens! The crowd was just too loud- they had to let us do one more. Ethan luck took photos. He got some really great shots. He's one of those guys that can do everything: rips on the guitar and the drums, writes great songs, takes great photos, he's got some real great tattoos, he looks tough. incredible guy! And yes, ladies, as far as I know he's taken. And now we head home. Home sweet home. I'll be up to catch the plane in a couple hours.
- jon
6/19/2003 - Cedar Rapids, IA USA [Let's Dance]
Cedar Rapids Iowa. Not Idaho. Not Ohio. Yeah, that was a big issue today. We played "Let's Dance" today. No, it's not a card game or a board game or a video game, it's a place. Kind of a cool, western, swing-dancin' type of place. We played rock there. And last night there was some concern as to whether or not we would have an opening band. So we decided to open for ourselves. I mean, er, wait. we didn't, um, it only, um, kinda looked a little like we do. Yeah this band, "the Cheat" opened up. They had the best walk on music ever, "everybody to the limit," maybe you've heard of it? Let's just say that the moose attacked the coon and then they all sang some karaoke. And no, you can't find those hats in very many places. By the way, we learned a valuable lesson today: never let Tim near the shark tanks even just for a moment. Check out the shot where tim is jumping off his SVT head over me. yes, that is 100% real. No tricks. No special effects. He jumped over my freaking head. We have is on video for you skeptics out there. And yes, he pulled it: Two broken legs later!
- jon
6/18/2003 - Minneapolis, MN USA [The Quest]
Here's my advice for the day- if you have to go for the dolphin or the skulls: go for the skulls.You know, fake tattoos don't hurt as much as the real ones. They don't last as long either, mine's gone already Our bus driver Doug picked them all up for us. Minneapolis. Last time we played the quest it was freeeeeeezing. My fingers get cold when I think of the ally backstage. This time it was beautiful. Beautiful. A beautiful crowd tonight too. For some reason every time we play here someone wants us to play "up town girl." I don't know, I guess they just know what they want!!! I love this place. Some kid in the front says that it seems like we just played here last week He's right. It does. He says we should play here every week. Hey, I'm into that!!!
- jon
6/16/2003 - Denver, CA USA [Bluebird Theatre (SOLD OUT) ]
Denver TV is a trip, man. There we were this morning: the center of the news, the makeup, the lights, and the free bagels. We had a great time. You have to play things for what they are. Focus on the purpose, the ends which seem so far removed from the means. Can makeup and facades ever point to the importance of being honest? Put your face on, brush your teeth and go ask Hollywood. This is the world we live in. You can't escape. I guess the question that remains is your own integrity. Are you yourself? Tonight was incredible. The show sold out and left a few people outside. So I went out and played a few tunes for them. I love the whole street performer aspect. Cars driving by honking, people singing along. I've got to remember to put out a hat next time. I wanted to give the people that couldn't get in something that the people inside couldn't get so I played a song a long time ago called "The Way You Roll Your R's" The crowd was really incredible; they were louder than we were on the DB meter at front of house. I have admired Five Iron for many reasons. I always wondered what type of scene could hatch that type of band. When I went to Denver the first time I understood. I've heard that you can tell what part of the city someone is from simply by the way that she dresses. All I know is that the Denver crowds make Denver a great place to play. Got to see Jeff and Scott (the original guitar player for FIF), last night after the show- I love those people! I look forward to coming back to CO.
- jon
6/14/2003 - Tempe, AZ USA [Marquee Theatre]
Pheonix is a good city. I got to meet Feeder today- seemed like good people. I did this on air acoustic thing at a place called The Library and found out that Rooney and Feeder were playing before us. We got there right as Feeder was going on the air. It sounded good. I wish I could have been there to see Rooney. There was some tension tonight concerning the opening band. I look forward to the next tour when we can have a little more control. Some amazing people tonight, good conversations. I met some people that drove from CA- a long drive! Thanks for coming.
- jon
6/13/2003 - Los Angeles, CA USA [House Of Blues (SOLD OUT)]
Tonight was a night that I will never forget. A sold out show at the House of Blues on Sunset strip, a beautiful day, my beautiful wife... LA used to scare me. The traffic, the hype, the vibers, the plastic surgeons. they can't hide the wonderful people up in LA. Ryan, our soundman was talking about how loud the crowd was: so loud that before the encore he stuck his fingers in his ears. I could hear my voice really well tonight which (believe it or not) is often a rarity. I could really feel the songs. Every note was worth something. Saw Spike Lee crossing the street today. Said goodbye to Fiction Plane, (we'll see them around I'm sure). Got stuck in the dressing room without a shirt when the Columbia crew and press came to hang out. Found a shirt before the cameras came out. Left my sunglasses in the dressing room. Yes, a night that I will never forget.
- jon
6/12/2003 - San Francisco, CA USA [The Pound (SOLD OUT)]
San Francisco has always stuck me as a place to fall in love. The mist hangs low on summer nights like a black and white movie. We've spent a couple nights there as a band, walking around. Coit tower. The bridge. The trolleys. I want to spend a few nights there with Emily. I woke up a few minutes before going on the air- a station called The Bridge. Rome had a great comment about how the Pinoi had joined the band, "I will be the maple syrup and you will be the pancakes." Somehow we got conned into playing twister on the air, (yes, photos were taken!) Don't know if you've ever seen a grown man play twister, it can be much harder than you might think. Walked around a little before the show- found a "park" of sorts right in the middle of the industrial part of the harbor. Tonight was by far the best show of the run so far. Joe from Fiction Plane got off stage and said that the crowd was amazing: he was right. They had they're best show so far- all the transitions really made sense. I had an amazing time tonight. Lot's of energy. Drew had a good point after the show, "I feel like I was just getting warmed up."
- jon
6/11/2003 - Sacramento, CA USA [The Boardwalk (SOLD OUT)]
Sac-town. I can't remember anything that happened today. Thinking hard, thinking hard. nope. Nothing! It was a sold out show. That's all I got...
- jon
6/10/2003 - Chico, CA USA [Brick Works]
We all got the new radiohead today. Listening to track 10 now. Don't get me wrong, the music is amazing but let me tell you, the special edition CD is a rip. Paying twice as much for different packaging which could possibly be worse. let's just say I got all the fellas laughing cause they got the cheaper ones. What can I say, I'm a sucker for art! A really hard room to play in. It's designed to be more of a dance club. We put some pieces of foam up on the panes of glass behind us, (you can see the strips in the pictures) which helped to deaden the room a bit. Met the Fiction Plane boys- really nice fellas who drove from Toronto to get here. Excited to hear them in a better room. Really good crowd tonight, (in spite of the fact that school is out in a college town). Chad was on tonight. Something about having a new drummer watching. maybe he wanted to show off! Check out the picture: two drumsticks for chad. He says that he couldn't get them apart. Maybe he was just showing off again! Some really great conversations. I met a friend for the first time face to face. She's facing a lot more than I've ever been through. Neither Death nor Hope know any boundaries in this life. However, one of them will not pass beyond into the next. We all try to block it out: breathe is a fragile thing: a gift not an obligation.
- jpn
[LOBH NOTE: Photos not available]
6/8/2003 - Eugene, OR USA [Wild Duck (SOLD OUT)]
This is a good place: the Wild Duck. Here's a funny story. There's a restaurant next door where we had dinner- good food. They've got this salad called the duck salad and an anonymous band mate asks whether the duck salad has any meat in it. The waiter politely says, "yes, the duck salad has duck in it." Daniel Lanios is going to play here tomorrow night. The same anonymous band mate met him and The Edge the other night in Hollywood. I've got a lot of respect for those guys. We're a long way from Hollywood up here: a lot more granola and hemp and patchouli oil. Good people. Had a long conversation with one of the cooks who was in a lot of pain at the time. Having a rough day. Hope you're feeling better bro.
- jon
6/7/2003 - Poulsbo, WA USA [The Meadows]
Tooth and Nail Festival. This place is nuts. Throw the best skaters and snowboarders up with a couple bands and a few million cattapillers and see what happens. Met some of the boys from Watashi Wa. Had a good time hanging out with em. We're all eating in this room, deep in conversation and this older fella comes up, grabs a chair and says, "So who writes the hits?" We all assume he must be talking about someone else and keep on talking among ourselves. Turns out he's talking about SF tunes. He was wondering how a song like "Monday Comes Around" could turn our band into one of the biggest bands around. I told him I didn't know that we were so big. I'm just thankful to be able to be still playing music, to be playing these songs that I believe in. So there you have it: I write the hits. I don't really know where to go from there in a conversation. I appreciate what he's saying but I guess I'd rather talk about the sunshine or the catapillers or the meaning of our time here on earth rather than talk about the popularity of song. Got to see our friends in PAX. I wish them the best. And there you have it proof that I have been cloned. Here's a shot with a few of myselves, chillen' in the limo on the way to the festival. (yes, I said limo and no, the limo is not normal. For some reason it only happens in Seatle). But yeah, the whole cloning thing is totally normal. It allows me to stay home while I do a live radio interview and a concert and write songs. all at the same time! It also explains why I forget people's names and faces and junk. Ever seen multiplicity?
- jon
LOBH NOTE: Photo not available.
4/12/2003 - Austin, TX USA [University of Texas ]
Quick tour fact: This Austin show comes on the heels of a sold out Austin show at Stubbs just 3 weeks prior. Oddly enough, after playing Waco on the 9th, the band flew home out of Austin only to fly right back to Austin 2 days later to play this show at University of Texas. This huge campus has something like 30,000 students, and apparantly a lot of them are Switchfoot fans. A very large college crowd packed the field surrounding the outdoor stage, and Switchfoot played with guts. It was one of those nights when there are lots of technical problems on stage (rented gear can be hit or miss), but the band didn't let technical problems stop them, and the crowd was equally enthusiastic and very appreciative. Funny that Switchfoot had never played Austin in their entire career, and then comes 3 times within the same month.
4/9/2003 - Waco, TX USA [Waco Hall]
Quick tour fact: Switchfoot then flew straight into Austin straight and drove to Waco to play in front of a great, college crowd. The opening band (local from the collage) seemed to be much more pop/ac than Switchfoot, but the odd paring seemed to fit the night somewhat, which consisted of a more conservative crowd than the typical Switchfoot show. A great show though, and a very appreciative crowd...
4/7/2003 - Nashville, TN USA [Renaissance Ballroom ]
Quick tour fact: Switchfoot spent all of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday doing interviews in Nashville, literally from 6 AM until 10 PM without any breaks. The band is quickly becoming highly in demand. Their private industry show on Monday night will be talked about for quite some time as Switchfoot put forward one of the most emotional, passionate performances an industry crowd will ever see. Jon, deeply affected by a conversation he had immediately before taking the stage was moved to tears during the song "The Beautiful Letdown," and even within the crowd (consisting largely of other bands and artists) there were plenty of wet eyes.
4/5/2003 - Bolivar, MO USA [Southwest Baptist Univ.]
Quick tour fact: One day festival with other bands including Reliant K, Supertones, and others. Switchfoot was excited to meet up with long-time friends in both bands. New guitar player Drew Shirly's flight was delayed, and arrived barely minutes before Switchfoot took the stage. Within a half hour, the pleasant sunny weather dropped to the mid 30s and even began raining. Didn't seem to bother either the band or the crowd, however.
4/2/2003 - Seattle, WA USA [Graceland (SOLD OUT)]
Easily the most energy of the whole tour. They told us we sold out at 600 and then yesterday we heard they sold another 100 tickets. I'm all about packed shows but this was beyond that; I have no idea how 700 people fit in that room. No idea. As our soundguy Ryan said, "I had no idea that shows like that still happened!" Amazing way to end the tour. I was on top of the crowd twice I think. The acoustic wasn't working so I played 24 with an electric, which ended up being a great, happy, sweaty sing-along. Michael from RED took us out to Benehana's before the show, (which, incidentally, we decided was the best food Switchfoot has ever eaten on the road). And then after the show Jenn had a limo pick us up, Which was great and ridiculous. Me yelling out the sunroof and finding out what all the buttons do, the driver forgetting where we were going and ending up at the venue half an hour after we had just left, Seattle means something new to me tonight. Acceptance rocked it as did the noise. So hard to see the Noise Ratchets leave. I called them today to tie up a few loose ends- I look forward to seeing them back home in SD. Thanks to everyone who made this tour happen. Thanks for coming out to the shows. tour ends with a bang, another sold out show, this time packed well beyond comprehension.
- jon
Quick tour fact: The most energetic night of the whole tour. But even as this tour ends, the band recieves word of quickly planning another tour for May and June. Their first headlining tour has been such a success that clubs and promotors have been calling consistently trying to set up a second tour right away. Hope those guys have time to catch their breath!
4/1/2003 - Portland, OR USA [Aladdin Theater (SOLD OUT)]
Oh, and we found joey's wallet, A little after the fact but good to have it! No April fools joke either. But we did get Michael Fang from RED up on stage to take Jerome's place for april fools though... I'm a terrible liar! I was cracking up the whole time! Not very convincing...really fun show... felt very smooth and polished. Acceptance opened up the evening, good band with a great sound. They have an EP coming out on Militia Group soon; check it out. Another double encore which was very kind. I dedicated it to all the birthdays that were shouted out. Happy birthday, everybody! One more show and then this thing will be a memory, the first headlining tour of many, I hope. It's been amazing.
- jon
Quick tour fact: this show at the famous Aladin Theater sold out almost 2 weeks in advance. Great crowd. Acceptance took Denison Marrs' place as the opener. Switchfoot also got their third double-encore of the tour. Portland loves Switchfoot, and I'm sure the feeling is mutual.
3/29/2003 - San Diego, CA USA [Soma]
What the heck!!! That was a crazy show. Out of control. The new SOMA is an amazing place to play. The hall was so loud, so full of sweat and people singing along. Hard to believe it's San Diego, home sweet home, home of mello San Diegans like myself. I have an image of Joel, (from Noise Ratchet) jumping into the crowd that will be a great memory to take with me. I don't know if I've ever heard crowd that loud before. Another memory: standing on the stack of speakers stage right maybe fifteen feet above the crowd. Thinking, 'What would happen if I jumped?' Hmmm.. Saw many friends today that I haven't seen for a long time. Al from 94.9 (which is a really unique station by the way), and the Reeve Oliver fellas. Funny thing: Sean from Reeve Oliver was just about to sneeze when our sound guy popped in his disc, (we've been spinning it every night before we play) and when he heard the first few notes the shock scared the sneeze right out of him. I love those guys. Get their CD. I think you can get it at redsand.com? I think that tonight was the best home show we've ever had.
- jon
Quick tour fact: Over 2100 people in attendance! By far Switchfoot's best hometown show to date. Set a new record for the largest number of tickets sold at the door in the history of House of Blues (the promoter), and Soma (including the old Soma).
3/28/2003 - Los Angeles, CA USA [The Roxy Theatre (SOLD OUT)]
Ahhh LA: the carrot at the end of the stick. I'll sleep in my own bed tonight. This was one of the best shows of the tour. I love playing the Roxy. So many great memories here, tonight added a few new ones. It was great to see so many friends- I wish we could have seen some that couldn't get in? because the show sold out so early, our guest list consisted of mainly industry people. A good problem to have though, the whole sold out show bit. Had an interview this morning that was a bit long in the tooth? but just walking outside into the sunshine fixed my mood. A great place to come home to? a great place to be a rock band. You walk along Sunset and you can feel the energy... something intangible in the air. All that motion and no real change. We're all thirsty for it: thirsty for life, true love, meaning, the kingdom of the heavens? for the water that breathes new life inside. Los Angeles, the city of angels- if we've got wings we've forgotten that we've got them. Yep, we were meant to live.
- jon
Quick tour fact: The famous Roxy in LA -- Switchfoot has sold it out twice in the last few months, this time over two week in advance! It sold out so fast, in fact, that the band had to cut some friends and family off of their guest list in order to get certain industry people in to the show (clubs are really strict these days on fire codes). The band did interviews all day, then put forward what can easily be said as their best performance yet in L.A. Quite a memorable night.
3/27/2003 - Phoenix (Tempe), AZ [USA Bash on Ash (SOLD OUT)]
Tempe. Another college town. This show was crazy. Packed. So packed. Met the guys from the radio station after the show asking us where Switchfoot was. Got to see one of the guys from PFR. He was real encouraging. Hmmm? Great show. Felt so right! Did our encore and walked back to the bus. Then a bouncer comes out a few minutes later to tell us that nobody's leaving and that we should play another song. So I walk in to see what's going on. The house music was on but everyone was shouting 24. It was very humbling. Amazing. To hear people so determined. I was honored to go back up and play another tune. Feels like every hour brings us closer to home.
- jon
Quick tour fact: Another sold-out show at a large venue, this time with a special double-encore. After playing two encore songs, the band went back to their bus. 2 minutes later, the bounce comes out to the bus and tells them "we've turned on the lights AND the house music, and the crowd is still not leaving. They're chanting for some "24" song. I think you have to play it or they're not going to leave." Good mainstream radio support for the single "Meant To Live" was certainly a factor in the success of this show. The venue said they've never seen such a huge line out front before.
3/26/2003 - Tucson, AZ USA [City Limits (formerly Backtage)]
Tucson. Yeah. Met a guy who plays guitar for Jeremy Camp. Him and his wife seemed like great people. They showed us around and we got to have dinner with them. Always nice to meet new friends. We had a good show today... the funniest things are always what stand out. The show got moved at the last minute to this dive near the college...hmmm... let's just say it had an unfinished look. So we walk off after our set and end up in a room with no sign outside and nothing but stalls inside. Yes. The women's bathroom. Laughing so hard when we got back onstage for the encore. One of the Noise boys had done the same thing earlier. Hilarious. Great show. Nice and tight.
- jon
Quick tour fact: the original venue was unable to get their permit in time for the show, which was moved at the last minute to a venue 20 minutes away. The new venue had this crazy net right down the middle to divide the underage crowd from the rest. A difficult way to start the day. Ryan, the tour manager was eventually able to get the net removed, and, in spite of the unpublicized venue change, the show packed out. Ended up being a great night.
3/25/2003 - Albuquerque, NM USA [Launch Pad ]
Chad's B-day... wrote: HA PPY BIRTH DAY CHAD on our stomachs. Tim was HA I was PPY Romy was BIRTH and so on. So when the waiter came with a cake and candle we took our shirts off and started singing. Good times!
- jon
Quick tour fact: Day off, planned on hanging out in Boulder, then driving to NM, but almost got snowed in and had to leave in a hurry (the day before it was 75 degrees and sunny!). Barely made it out without chains, got into Albaquerque just in time for a birthday celebration at Chad's favorite: Apple Bees (if you really want to stoke Chad out, bring him a the warm, blonde-brownie desert from Apple Bees a-la-mode-- his favorite!). Spent all morning calling people in Europe for interviews again. This one was a bit of a nightmare: first guy wanted to reschedule, second was a voicemail, third wasn't in, fourth no answer, the fifth guy... I spoke with someone who in broken English gave me the home # which I called and got his dad(?) who told me he wasn't there. So three and a half hours later I was glad to be done with the calling card and the grimy lobby payphone that I had fought for. Concerning Albuquerque: Joey Rocks! So great to see that guy... He hooked us up with a copy of LOTR Two Towers, (which we will treasure). Unfortunately he can't find his wallet after searching the bus and the hotel room. A good show. A hard moment today: the drummer for Denison Mars quit. He's on his way home right now. The other guys will go as far as SD and Brandon from Noise Ratchet will hold down the drums until then. I guess that all is well and that everyone parted on amicable terms. Still, hard to see it go down. Packed out crowd, amazing considering The Used were playing a sold-out show just down the street. Some guys from the tour ran down to check 'em out.
3/23/2003 - Denver (Boulder), CO USA [Fox Theatre and Cafe]
A wonderful town. The Fox is a great place to play. Some kids drove 900 miles to get here. Pretty unbelievable. I met them in the street before the show, told them I was honored to be their band. The show was a Switchfoot show. We played our show and kept everything real. The acoustic broke a string so I finished more than fine on an electric: felt like the best that songs sounded all tour. I love that! When the things that go "wrong" become beautiful. Had a great moment with Ryan, one of the Noise crew. Such a good guy. I'm surrounded by such a great bunch of guys. Seldom do conversations of worth happen in life... I want to make sure I don't take these times for granted.
-jon
Quick Tour Facts: packed out college-crowd in the famous Fox theatre, located in the college-town of Boulder. Band and crowd both lively. Band said this was one of their funnest nights among recent shows.
3/22/2003 - Colorado Springs, CO USA [32 Bleu]
Quick Tour Facts: Jon's guitar amp went out during the first song, but the band kept rocking with Jon throwing his guitar off and grabbing the mic. Jon quickly switched things up after the song finished and grabbed his acoustic while the stage hands worked on getting a backup amp for him. The crowd seemed to appreciate the band's ability to flow with the suprises, and the rest of the show continued with a very fun, high-energy performance. Everyone seemed to leave feeling like they saw a unique side of the band and were a part of something special.
3/20/2003 - Austin, TX USA [Stubbs Bar-B-Q (SOLD OUT)]
Quick Tour Facts: A hundred fans left outside the sold out show found various windows surrounding the legendary Austin music venue to peek in through and watch the show. 4th show in as many days, and three more to go before a day off. Many of the guys in all three bands are fighting sickness (including both Jon and Tim), but everyone is still in good spirits. Band had never played Austin before, and the fans were very appreciative of Switchfoot coming. The band promised to return.
3/18/2003 - Dallas, TX USA [Gypsy Tea Room (SOLD OUT)]
Quick Tour Fact: An extremely packed house of long-time fans showed up to welcome Switchfoot to Dallas. The less fortunate were the hundreds of kids who were unable to get in to the sold out show. Switchfoot thanked the crowd of fans outside who stuck around to watch the show through the window by dedicating a song to them and meeting them after the show.
3/17/2003 - Houston, TX USA [Engine Room]
Switchfoot's first show ever in Houston was greeted with a packed house of very energetic Switchfoot fans. The band put forth a very explosive show and stuck around afterwards to thank their fans.
3/15/2003 - Atlanta, GA USA [Cotton Club (SOLD OUT)]
Atlanta. Another great city. This is where I bought my Gretch for 100 bones at a pawn shop. I use it every show now. Love that thing! Anyways, tonight felt really good, aside from the fact that we didn't use set lists! Had a great conversation with Brandon from Noise Ratchet afterwords... talking about how kids today aren't looking for direction from polititions or education or spiritual guides. They're looking to music. God is not hindered by form and his truth remains the same. Got to see Ethan Luck today. A great guy, Came all the way down from Nashville and I'm glad he did. A day off tomorrow and then Texas here we come!
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: Sold out shows is becoming the norm on this tour as the new album continues to build momentum. Again, hundreds of sad fans are left outside, unable to purchase tickets for the sold out show at the legendary Cotton Club. Great crowd, and a very lively Switchfoot. Although the guys get a day off tomorrow, they don't seem to need it. Six shows in six nights, and they look more energetic now than they did when they started this tour. Texas is next.
3/13/2003 - Cleveland, OH USA [Peabody's]
Ohio, Ohio, Ohio... Got to see Matt Theison today. So great to see those guys doing so well. Their new record is out and needs no plug from me to do amazingly. However, it's definitely the best sounding Relient K album ever. As always, catchy, immediate songs with clever lyrics. Met a few guys on the street today. One guy wanted money. I offer him a pizza and a coke, he offers me drugs. I gave him the pizza and told him to keep his stuff. There's a lot of things that I want to see change in this world... Sometimes I feel so ineffective. We all have a part to play though: every moment matters. The strength that I desire cannot be found in dietary supplements or in political clout.
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: Switchfoot got to catch up on lost time with longtime friends Reliant K, who live within an hour and a half from Cleveland. Great crowd, another great show.
3/12/2003 - Detroit, MI USA [Shelter (SOLD OUT)]
So today was a bit of a disappointment. I was really looking forward to seeing my wife this morning... no dice. We simply didn't arrive when we were supposed to. No one to get mad at, still I was so frustrated. All is well that ends well and patience is never a bad thing to learn, I suppose. Got to see Daniel Victor tonight, good to see him and his crew. He played on the song we wrote together, (On Fire) and hung out afterwards. His project, Neverending White Lights seems to be coming along smoothly. Other than the guitar strap failure tonight was great. That said, Detroit is a weird city in my mind. A modern day Gotham City ghost-town. No one on the streets or in the monstrous abandoned buildings. Also saw a cop car chasing after a beat up SUV a they speed through the vacant city.
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: Switchfoot, originally scheduled to play the upstairs room, was booted to the downstairs room in order for hometown star Eminem to hold a DVD release party in the upstairs room. Needless to say, the 400 capacity downstairs room was sold out, packed and sweaty, just the way it should be.
3/11/2003 - Chicago, IL, USA [The Metro]
Chicago is a great town, one of my favorites. And the Metro is one of the best rooms in town. We spent most of today, (including dinner!) doing interviews. Some great conversations... We also did a photo shoot that was pretty extensive. Felt great to finally get onstage and play some music. Tonight was packed. Felt good to try a new set list. Much more focused, more intentional, more stable...
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: The Metro is a very well-known rock club in Chicago with a lot of history. Switchfoot had a memorable day, with 15 phone interviews (many of them overseas), 5 interviews at the venue (including 3 photoshoots for various press/interviews), and a packed-out house of Chicago Switchfoot fans. The show was certainly a highlight for their long, busy day.
3/9/2003 - Minneapolis, MN USA [The Quest (SOLD OUT)]
Feels so great to be back in the US. Tonight should be a rocker. I will say that the temperature feels no warmer than Canada: my feet are still fairly numb and the load in was brutal! I'll write more after the show... The quest is a great place to see a band. We were going to play the ascot room but too many people bought tickets, a great problem! Tonight was special because Jon Fields,(our producer for TBL) was there. It was great to see him. We went to see his band after the show. Greazy Meal, a group of Minneapolis funk legends were rocking the sold out crowd at the Cabooz. We went with a few of the guys from Noise Ratchet and were blown away by the sheer funk power.
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: This show was originally booked in the smaller (but vibey) upstairs room (450 capacity), but the show sold out a week and a half in advance in advance, forcing the club to scramble and move the show to their larger room (1000 capacity). The show nearly sells out this room also, with 950 fans packed into the club. Switchfoot's friends Noise Ratchet have now joined the tour as well, adding to the San Diego camaraderie.
3/7/2003 - Edmonton, Alberta Canada [Millwoods Assembly (SOLD OUT)]
Without the wind, thirty below can be quite invigorating. Edmonton is not a bad town at all though. I could stand a warmer temperature than 30 below but without the wind the cold can be quite invigorating! Taped a few songs for a Canadian music TV show this morning... Tonight was a great night. I felt like I was singing strong... A younger crowd always has more energy... all in all, a good night to be alive. Had a great conversation after the show. Life is short. I want to be living well.
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: Switchfoot tapes a live performance on the Canadian latenight show "Wired," similar to the US shows Lenno and Conan, to be aired later that night. They then rush to their gig: a sold out crowd of 1400 crazy Canadians.
3/6/2003 - Calgary, Alberta Canada [Westside Kings ]
Oh Canada! I barely got in. I had a photocopy of my passport and birth certificate, which wasn't good enough for northwest airlines. The plane was delayed for about an hour and then finally they let us on. A true miracle! I remember praying, "Lord, be merciful with me." He has been. This is simply one of millions of ways that he has been merciful with me. I have so much to be thankful for, so many reasons to be merciful to others. The show last night was a standout in my mind there was a presence there that I've felt before. I felt like the evening was a little spark in the great cold up north. I'm in a familiar position: The second bench of a 15-passenger van loaded with gear. My feet are cold and the temp was -25 when we loaded the van, you don't see that one in SD! We're heading from Calgary to Edmonton.
- jon
Quick Tour Fact: Jon looses passport, manages to barely get into Canada in time for the show, in front of a packed house of lively Canadians.
3/1/2003 - Norfolk, VA [The Norva Theatre]
The latest Beck CD is a wonderful brick. I've been listening to it all day to try and get my head around it. Lots of my friends are saying that it's a Nick Drake rip so I listened to both guys back to back to back. I don't know there is a similarity but I'm a fan of good songs and to that end the Beck CD and pink moon deserve to have second and third listens. The Norva tonight! Most people don't know that this was an old rec. room. I loved tonight, (and not just because there's a Jacuzzi backstage). God has been good to me and tonight demonstrated his love in many ways.
-jon
Quick Tour Fact: Jon and Tim lived around here for 3 years, got to hang with some old friends. Best show of the tour so far. Great sounding room. Switchfoot gets spoiled
2/28/2003 - Columbia, SC [New Brookland Tavern (SOLD OUT)]
South Carolina was a turning point. Another sell-out. But this time I felt like we are firing on all cylinders. I like a show that's a conversation not a monologue, where the audience and the performer are communicating. Tonight was like that. Some incredible people packed in tonight. A long drive tomorrow: VA, here we come.
Quick Tour Fact: Sold out and really packed and hot. Chad nearly passes out from heat onstage. Lively crowd.
- jon
2/27/2003 - Jacksonville, FL USA [Murray Hill Theatre]
Day three. Murray Hill Theatre has the best milk shakes in FL as far as I know. That's reason enough to play a show as far as I'm concerned. We played 24 tonight by request. I still feel like that's a fitting song to sum up my life two years down the road, (even though I'm 26 now). My left ear is still ringing; it was fairly loud tonight not overly so the twin sounded much better. Cool Hand Luke and our crew are camping out at the same house tonight, really like those guys, very tight, good melodies, good people. Heard good radio news today, looks like we're going to be being added on a handful more alternative rock stations including our local 91x. South Carolina tomorrow I guess it's already tomorrow everything about the tour is beginning to settle into place. Tomorrow should be a great night to shake things up!
- jon
2/26/2003 - Orlando, FL USA [Back Booth - SOLD OUT]
And so the night has ended. It's 1:30 and our first stop on our first headlining tour will be closing her eyes shortly. We played the Back Booth, a cool club downtown in Orlando. Lots of dark wood corner stage with a balcony, a sold out show. It was so hot in there. Denison mars and Cool Hand Luke seem like good fellas. We're glad to have them out with us; I look forward to hanging with them more. Hot and loud tonight. I borrowed a twin from Denison Mars and look forward to dialing in the tone a bit more for tomorrow. All in all a great start to the long road ahead We hung out with "the Florida Contingent" this evening, wonderful to see the crew is doing well. For some reason we always end up at TGI Fridays in Florida is that a bad thing? I'm focused in on tomorrow. An amazing aspect about live music is the freshness from one night to the next: that a song can be a completely different animal night after night. Time to get some rest. quick fact from the road: No 15 passanger van available from rental agency, so we ended up with a minivan (think soccer-mom) AND a midsize sedan. Here's a pic from after the show in front of our luxurious "tour bus" for the next week. We're getting a real tour bus in Minneapolis, so we're counting down the days!
- jon
LOBH NOTE: Photo not available
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