Mercer’s annual all-day concert, Bearstock, is getting ready to rock the campus this Saturday, April 13th! After enjoying a relaxing day listening to the awesome, though obscure, bands at Tatnall Park, make sure you stick around to hear the headliners, Switchfoot, Travis Porter, and The Ready Set. All three headliners are from different musical genres, so it is totally understandable if you aren’t familiar some of them. However, after reading this short biography, you’ll be a pro!
Known predominately as a Christian Rock band, the San Diego based Switchfoot has been rocking with their alternative style since 1996 and is still knocking out hits.
Members:
Joe Foreman (lead vocals, guitar)
Tim Foreman (bass guitar, backup vocals)
Chad Butler (drums, various percussion)
Jerome Fontamillas (keyboards, guitar, backup vocals)
Drew Shirley (guitar, backup vocals)
About:
The band, consisting of only Joe, Tim, and Chad, was first marketed by their record label, Re:think Records, to a Christian audience, having their songs played exclusively on Christian Rock stations. However, the band made enormous progress under the category of Christian Rock despite their wishes to reach a wider audience. The band was beginning to reach the peak of their fame after earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album for Learning to Breathe in 2002.
After signing with Columbia Records/Sony BGM in 2003, Switchfoot hit big with their album The Beautiful Letdown. This album was Switchfoot’s first transition into mainstream music, thanks in part to the Jerome Fontamillas’ keyboard/synthesizer flare. Since its release, The Beautiful Letdown has become double platinum, selling over 2.6 million copies. In 2005, final member Drew Shirley joined in the recording process for the album Nothing is Sound. By adding Drew Shirley, Switchfoot’s sound became predominately heavier, gaining them airwave access to not only pop and Christian rock stations, but alternative ones as well.
Since then, Switchfoot continues to make critically acclaimed music, though much of it is not played on mainstream radios. However, the band’s albums and singles still sell incredibly well and many of their songs reach the top of the iTunes sell chart. Their ninth album, Fading West, is due to release during the summer alongside a documentary of the same title about the band’s surfing excursions. You can check out their offical site here.
Interesting facts:
The band’s band is actually a surfing term, meaning to literally switch your feet to face the opposite direction.
Many Moore’s hit “Only Hope”, featured in A Walk to Remember was actually a cover; Switchfoot wrote and recorded the song first.
Switchfoot has been involved in a number of humanitarian causes, including DATA, the ONE Campaign, the Keep A Breast Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Invisible Children, and To Write Love on Her Arms.
Many of the band’s songs are inspired by literature, such as T.S. Eliot’s “The Hollow Man”.
Biggest hits
“Meant to Live” (The Beautiful Letdown, 2003)
“Dare You to Move” (The Beautiful Letdown, 2003)
“Stars” (Nothing is Sound, 2005)
“Oh! Gravity” (Oh! Gravity, 2006)
The Georgia native rap trio, Travis Porter, consisting of three best friends, has been on the rise since 2006 and hasn’t stopped dazzling listeners yet.
Members:
Ali (Lakeem Mattox)
Quex (Donquex Woods)
Strap (Harold Duncan)
About:
Travis Porter, though having only one album, From Day 1, which debuted in 2012, has been making music long before. They used the wonders of social networking sites to gain recognition by uploading their own music videos on Youtube and creating mixtapes that had immediate online availability. During their unsigned years, the trio performed with many notable rap artists, including Waka Flocka Flame, Roscoe Dash, and Fast Life Yungstaz. They’ve received critical acclaim and awards that range from Myspace to the Underground Music Awards. After releasing seven mixtapes, Travis Porter had several offers from record labels; they have been signed with RCA, formerly Jive, since 2010. You can check out their offical site here.
Interesting Facts:
When first starting in 2006, the trio called themselves Hard Hitters, then changed to Travis Porter in 2008.
Travis Porter, though still not signed, did a small international tour in Germany in 2008.
The group had a little skirmish with Roscoe Dash when they included one of the artist’s songs they were featured in on a mixtape.
Biggest Hits:
“Make it Rain” (I Am Travis Porter, 2010)
“Ayy Ladies” (From Day 1, 2012)
“Bring it Back” (Music Money Magnums, 2011)
Since 2008, going by his stage name, The Ready Set, local Indianan Jordan Mark Witzigreuter has been known for his pop-style alternative music which is entirely his own.
Members:
Joe Mark Witzigreuter (The Ready Set, lead vocals, song writer, and sole member)
Tour Members:
Deryck Stanek (back-up band, lead guitarist)
Michael Naran (back-up band, bass guitar)
Travis Rountree (back-up band, drums and percussion)
About:
Joe Witzigreuter truly followed his heart and started pursuing a career in music right after high school. During his childhood, Witzigreuter showed proficiency in drums and began touring with bands when he was 16. After being a member of three different bands in three different genres, Witzigreuter formed The Ready Set, which has grown from a two man acoustic show to a live band performance. Before becoming big, Witzigreuter wrote a few gems in 2007 and uploaded them to Myspace, then went on to write his first EP in 2008, titled “Syntax and Bright Lights”. In the beginning of 2008, The Ready Set began self-booking tours and performances, including several appearances on MTV; in 2009, The Ready Set signed on to Decaydance Records and Sire Records, both branches from Warner Bros. Records. Since his career, The Ready set has produced three albums; the next is expected later this year. You can check out their offical website here.
Interesting Facts:
Many of The Ready Set’s first songs were recorded in his basement.
The Ready Set’s record label, Decaydance, is operated by Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz.
Joe Witzigreuter began playing drums when he was 10 years old.
Biggest Hits:
“Love Like Woe” (I’m Alive, I’m Dreaming, 2010)
“Young Forever” (Feel Good Now, 2011)
“Give Me Your Hand” (TBA, 2013)