Switches (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name =


Img_capt =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|England Southend and Guildford, England
Genre = Alternative rock Indie rock
Years_active = 2005–present
Label = Degenerate Music Atlantic Records Interscope (US)
URL = http://www.switchesmusic.net/
Current_members = Matty Bishop Thom Kirkpatrick Ollie Thomas Steve Godfrey
Past_members = James Gardiner Max Tite

: "This article is about the rock and roll band Switches. "For other uses, see Switch (disambiguation)." Switches are a British rock and roll band from Southend and Guildford

Band members

*Matty Bishop - lead vocals, guitar
*Thom Kirkpatrick - bass
*Ollie Thomas - guitar, backing vocals
*Steve Godfrey - drums

Career

The band initially met whilst at university in Guildford, Surrey. When Matt was young, he wrote songs and made music in his Essex home. After meeting and befriending the other band members, they did some gigs and got publishing interest before finding a manager. The band claims the process took a few years to come together, owing to Matt's unpredictable bouts of depression and mental illness. Meanwhile, the boys where experimenting with different band names in order to "conjure something non-cliché, something simple and bold". They cite many artists as their main influences, all of whom can be seen here: [http://www.myspace.com/weareswitches] .

They released their debut EP on Degenerate Records, entitled 'Message from Yuz' on 10 July 2006. It was produced by Paul Schroeder. Their debut single (limited to 500 copies), 'Lay Down the Law' on September 25, 2006. The band began recording their debut album in August 2006 at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles, where Prince recorded some of his classic 80's material. The album was recorded by legendary producer Rob Schnapf and engineer Doug Boehm.

Switches toured with The Rakes, The Automatic, childhood hero Graham Coxon and played the Carling Festivals in Leeds and Reading. The band released their second single 'Drama Queen', their first official release with Atlantic Records, on January 29th 2007.

The band's debut album, "Heart Tuned To D.E.A.D.", was released on 23 April 2007, preceded by their second official single, a re-recording of 'Lay Down The Law', the album reached #64 on the UK album charts, despite gaining little airplay or promotion.

The band made its Glastonbury debut in the summer of 2007, opening Saturday's Other Stage. Now signed to Interscope in the US, Switches released their first American album, 'Lay Down the Law', on 18 March, 2008 upon completion of their US tour with New York-based band, The Bravery.

The band are currently touring with She Wants Revenge, Be Your Own Pet, and The Virgins on the Nylon magazine tour.

TV appearances on The Album Chart Show (UK), Transmission (UK) and Jimmy Kimmel (US).

Discography

Albums

*"Message From Yuz" 10 July2006
*"Heart Tuned To D.E.A.D." 23 April2007 ""'UK #64
*"Lay Down the Law" 18 March2008

ingles

External links

* [http://www.interscope.com/ Interscope Records]
* [http://www.switchesmusic.net Official website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/weareswitches Switches on MySpace]
* [http://streamos.warnermusic.com/wmedia/wmiuk/switches/messagefromyuzv_Hi.asx Message from Yuz – Switches single video (Released July 10th 2006)]
* [http://www.switchesmusic.net/player/default.aspx?mid=1164 Drama Queen - Switches single video (Released April 1st 2008)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJN_NpRRrm4 Switches in Hollywood] caught in a Terra Naomi video (1:05 into video)