An Evening with Switchfoot and John M. Perkins RECAP

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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It was an evening to honor the great man who inspired "The Sound." It was a night to unite people of every color and race. It was an evening that brought a San Diego rock band to the halls of Belhaven University, where music drove the evening and brought "truth into art," in the words of John M. Perkins himself.

An Evening With Switchfoot and John M. Perkins was an amazing event. Having missed the event itself on the stream due to prior arrangements, I have had to view this engagement through the lens of YouTube videos and stream recordings. And even through that, there is a sense of prevailing peace and unity that pervaded the night, and the idea that "love is the final fight" was impactfully preeminent throughout.

The rest of this recap will have videos and highlights from the night, but the message and invitation still stands. The sound of a generation that is willing to let go of the past and move into a bright new future is stirring up; take the call and join in, my friends. You can't drown it out. Can you here it now? "This is the sound."

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What better way to begin but start with the man himself, Dr. John M. Perkins:

JOHN M. PERKINS Part 1



Part 2



For more stream recordings, head over to our friends LOBH's YouTube channel.

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After the message, a fellow by the name of Big John introduces Switchfoot, who play "Stars" while Dr. Perkins rocks out in the front row.



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A choir of singers joined Switchfoot on stage throughout the night and added a new beauty to their songs. Check them out in full force on the following:

Sing It Out



The Sound



Your Love Is a Song



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I'll close by quoting Dr. Perkins, who said "This is a continuation. This is not no quick shot tonight and it's over with. This is a continuation of us working together to reflect the Kingdom of God in Jackson."

"Love is the movement..." "Love is the final fight..."

Thanks for reading, everyone.

John M. Perkins Benefit show tonight; "The Sound" in the Philippines; More Food Drives this fall!

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

Be sure to tune in TONIGHT, September 29, for the special John M. Perkins/Switchfoot benefit event at 5 pm PST/8 pm EST. For more details, click here.

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Well, friends, tonight is the night! The John M. Perkins benefit show called "An Evening with: Switchfoot & John M Perkins - The Sound!" is happening tonight, at 5 PM PST/8 PM EST. Be sure to tune into Ustream to watch the performance, or you can come back to this space, as we'll have it streaming here as well.



In advance of the event, the Clarion Ledger in Jackson has done a story and talked to John P. Perkins and John M. Perkins (related). Here's an excerpt:

The performance will help rebuild the foundation's music studio, which was burglarized in 2008.

Perkins' grandson, John P. Perkins, is the foundation's development director. He said Switchfoot had just finished recording Hello Hurricane when they decided to lay one more track.

Switchfoot lead singer/guitarist Jon Foreman "wrote that one (The Sound), and it became a smash hit," said the younger Perkins. "When they got together in May to record the video, (John M. Perkins) told them about the recording studio burglary. We didn't have it up eight months before it was burglarized."

There's a lot of other great things to be read in this story, so definitely check it out here.

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In other news, today is Chart Wednesday! Just a quick update, "The Sound" is now officially the No. 8 Alternative single in the country, while "Your Love Is a Song" has moved up to No. 32 on the Adult Pop Songs chart. Just another successful week for Switchfoot. Keep up the requesting!

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The news keeps getting better. Our friend Raven from the Philippines has sent us this bit of sweet news:

The Sound is currently no.10 on Magic 89.9 (popular radio station in the Philippines) ......and no.18 on channelv(music channel)...just wanna let you all know :D

^That's just fantastic!

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Our friend David has also sent us this bit.

Yes it's true. Switchfoot's Mess Of Me was played on Friday night on Coast To Coast Am's radio show heard all around America. Shortly before the song was played the show's host, Art Bell, told America to rock. Coast To Coast is an overnight show dealing on paranormal abd conspiracies. The song was played at about 12:30 p.m{central time}.

^That's something new. Great to hear that, David. Thanks a lot!

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Any of you looking to head out to the fall leg of the Hello Hurricane tour? If so, the guys will be running the Food Drive again. Bring canned goods to support your local community!

Here is a list of Participating Food Banks:

Oct 01 Lynchburg VA / Liberty University / Blue Ridge Area Food Bank
Oct 02 Cheswick PA / Ches-A-Rena / Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Oct 03 Philadelphia PA / Electric Factory / Philabundance
Oct 05 Richmond VA / The National / Central Virginia Food Bank
Oct 06 Norfolk VA / The Norva / Foodbank of South Eastern Virginia
Oct 07 Montgomery AL / Riverwalk Amphitheatre / Montgomery Area Food Bank
Oct 08 Baton Rouge LA / Varsity Theatre / Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
Oct 09 Tyler TX / The Venue Down Under / East Texas Food Bank
Oct 10 Austin TX / Austin City Limits
Oct 14 Omaha NE / Sokol Auditorium / Food Bank for the Heartland
Oct 15 St. Charles MO / Lindenwood University / St. Louis Area Food Bank
Oct 16 Kansas City KS / Memorial Hall / Harvesters Food Bank
Oct 28 Santa Cruz CA / Catalyst Club
Oct 29 Avila Beach CA / Avila Beach Event Area / San Luis Obispo Food Bank
(The Almost supporting except 10/10  10/28)


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And lastly, we hear that the Bad Religion compilation that Switchfoot is contributing to will be available as a free download from Spin.com. Awesome!

Switchfoot set to contribute to Bad Religion tribute album

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

Be sure to tune in TOMORROW, September 29, for the special John M. Perkins/Switchfoot benefit event. For more details, click here.

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Spin Magazine has announced that it is celebrating 30 years of the iconic label Epitaph Records, who helped give rise to the now cult punk legends, Bad Religion.

Bad Religion — which included Gurewitz on guitar — were Epitaph's marquee band, so to commemorate the label's history, SPIN and MySpace Music rounded up a dozen artists, including Tegan and Sara, Switchfoot, Ted Leo and New Politics, to record exclusive covers for a compilation album, Germs of Perfection: A Tribute to Bad Religion, which will be available via SPIN.com starting October 19.

How much do you want to bet Switchfoot has finally done a proper recording of "Sorrow?" This should be great.

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Switchfoot interviews; New single by next summer?

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

Be sure to tune in next Wednesday, September 29, for the special John M. Perkins/Switchfoot benefit event. For more details, click here.

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Rockerrazzi caught up with Drew Shirley and Chad Burler a month or so back before Switchfoot played at the Greek Theatre. Here is their interview:



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Confront Magazine did an interview a little while back with Jon Foreman and Chad. It has very much the same type of material covered in most interviews, save for this nugget of possibility:

CONFRONT: Can we get a closer idea on when we can expect the follow up album to Hello Hurricane, Vice Verses?

JON: Well I think we got pretty much most of the songs written for a double record, that’s our goal. We’ll see whether they fit together in a collection but hopefully we’ll have a new single out by next summer, we’ll probably start recording this winter.

^There's Jon's probable plan/road map for the band in the next few months. I'm really digging the possibility of a double record, although it's not been successfully pulled off very much over the years. Let's see how Switchfoot does with this. But who's excited about the new single? I am.

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Ethan Luck of Relient k and Demon Hunter fame shot some video footage of Switchfoot from last night's show at Ichthus. Check it out:



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Quick update, "The Sound" has reached an all-time high of No. 8 on the Mediabase Alternative charts. This is cause for jubilation, but let's set our sights on the Top 5!

Request the single at your local alternative radio stations! Request list can be accessed here.

Also be sure to follow the Footsoldiers on Twitter for campaign updates and such.

SwitchfootTV Episode 50

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

Be sure to tune in next Wednesday, September 29, for the special John M. Perkins/Switchfoot benefit event. For more details, click here.

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Happy 50th podcast/SwitchfootTV episode! Check out this highlight reel of all our favorite moments in the latest installment:



^Here's to many more, guys.

CHART WEDNESDAY (is back!) Week of October 2, 2010

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

Be sure to tune in next Wednesday, September 29, for the special John M. Perkins/Switchfoot benefit event. For more details, click here.

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YES yes yes. Chart Wednesday is back in full force, my dear friends. And not without some good news.

First of all, "The Sound" has reached it's highest mark on the Modern Rock/Alternative Sons chart yet, coming in at No. 9 this week.



"Your Love Is a Song" is also plodding along steadily, as it is on the verge of breaking into the to top 30 of Hot AC/Adult Top 40. Great times for the band.

Let's keep up requesting!

Press Release: SWITCHFOOT ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER 29th CONCERT IN JACKSON, MS

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 21, 2010


SWITCHFOOT ANNOUNCES SEPTEMBER 29th CONCERT
IN JACKSON, MS

EVENT WILL BENEFIT JOHN M. PERKINS FOUNDATION FOLLOWING THE ROBBERY OF ITS MUSIC STUDIO

DR. PERKINS, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST WHO INSPIRED SWITCHFOOT’S TOP 10 SINGLE “THE SOUND,” WILL BE A FEATURED SPEAKER

USTREAM WILL BROADCAST THE EVENT LIVE


On Wednesday, September 29th, SWITCHFOOT will play a special concert at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. All proceeds (after expenses) will be donated to the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation and Development. A recent robbery severely impacted the Foundation’s music studio. Formed in 1983, the Foundation is dedicated to developing the lives of youth, leaders and the underprivileged in Jackson and around the world and advancing racial reconciliation.

“An Evening with Switchfoot and Dr. John M. Perkins” will feature a full-length set by SWITCHFOOT plus speeches by Dr. John M. Perkins, the civil rights activist whose autobiography, Let Justice Roll Down, inspired the band’s Top 10 Modern Rock single “The Sound (John M. Perkins’ Blues)” and SWITCHFOOT’s lead singer/guitarist, Jon Foreman. For additional details, visit http://www.switchfoot.com or http://www.jmpf.org. Fans can view “An Evening with Switchfoot and Dr. John M. Perkins” from anywhere in the world via Ustream, which will broadcast the event live at 7:00 p.m. ET on September 29th at www.Ustream.tv/switchfoot.
 
“The purpose of this night is to commemorate the unlikely partnership of a civil rights patriarch from Mississippi and a rock band from San Diego,” said Jon Foreman. “The concert will be a celebration of the life and words of John M. Perkins – a man who refused to believe that the present injustices are final. For me, this concert was born out of the song of a man who rose above his situation. A man who lived out what he believed: Love is louder than violence. Love is louder than hatred.  

“My small hope is that this concert can raise funds for the John M. Perkins Foundation. They have a music studio that was robbed a few months back and, with the money we raise, we can get that program back on its feet. I'm hoping that this concert can be a lightning rod to attract the attention of more donors, and more folks who can partner with the JMP Foundation in and around Jackson.” 

Foreman described his first meeting with Dr. Perkins in a recent article for The Huffington Post:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-foreman/the-living-blues-john-m-p_b_613733.html

Dr. Perkins appears in SWITCHFOOT’s video for “The Sound,” which you can view at:

http://www.switchfoot.com/

SWITCHFOOT – comprises Jon Foreman (vocals/guitar), Tim Foreman (bass), Chad Butler (drums), Jerome Fontamillas (keys/guitar) and Drew Shirley (guitar). The band’s latest record, Hello Hurricane, entered at No. 13 on The Billboard 200 and has met with widespread critical acclaim. SWITCHFOOT will launch a headlining North American tour on October 1st in Lynchberg, VA with The Almost opening on all dates. The band will also perform at the Austin City Limits Festival on October 10th.

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For more information on SWITCHFOOT, contact:

Bobbie Gale
Big Hassle Media
p: 323-456-3490
e: bobbie@bighassle.com

or visit:

http://www.switchfoot.com

About Ustream

Ustream is the leading live interactive broadcast platform that enables anyone with an Internet connection and a camera to engage their audience in a meaningful, immediate way. Unlike previous webcasting technology, Ustream uses a one-to-many model, which means that the user can broadcast to an audience of unlimited size. Ustream's platform has been used to broadcast everything from high school sporting events to Hollywood movie premieres, and people are finding new and innovative uses for it every day.

Jon Foreman sang/recorded on Brooke Fraser's upcoming record

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As reported awhile back, Jon Foreman co-wrote and recorded a song with Brooke Fraser called "Betty" for the latter's upcoming record. At the time, we were unsure whether Jon's vocals would make an appearance on the record, but now we know that he will sing on the song! Check out the latest studio update/preview video from Fraser's channel:



^If you haven't checked out Brooke Fraser's music yet, please do!

BrookeFraser.com

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Speaking of good ol' Jon, check out his latest Huffington Post essay, about watermelons and gardens. You won't be disappointed, and will be challenged, as always!

LINK.

GAH!

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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Hey friends, sorry for the lack of updates. I know it's been almost an entire week since I last updated. But I promise it's not because I've lost interest or anything. I promise!

Anyways, here is an update on what's been going on lately in the world of Switchfoot. The Latin America tour is still going strong, and here are a few videos from YouTube:

Needle (Mexico)



Meant to Live (Mexico)



The Sound (Mexico)



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Talk Stoop did an interview with Switchfoot. Check it out:



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Ever wanted to know what Jon Foreman's guitar rig looks like? This blogger details all the equipment he uses during a Switchfoot show. Interesting, huh?

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Switchfoot is also participating in an effort called TwitChange to help benefit Haiti's rebuilding efforts. For details on all of that, head over to the page where they are auctioning off a Twitter prize!

Switchfoot to play John M. Perkins Foundation benefit show

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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We have received word that Switchfoot are excited to host and play a benefit concert at Belhaven University in Jackson, MS for the John M. Perkins Foundation on September 29th!

Here are the details:

- Tickets go on sale Friday, September 17th, and FOTF presale begins today! Tickets are limited, so be sure to grab them now!

- If you are interested in contributing to the JMP Foundation and will not be able to attend the show, please visit jmpf.org. All proceeds for this event will benefit the John M Perkins Foundation.

- “The concert will be a celebration of the life and words of John M Perkins- a man who refused to believe that the present injustices are final. For me, this concert was born out of the song of a man who rose above his situation. A man who lived out what he believed: Love is louder than violence. Love is louder than hatred.” - Jon Foreman

Here is the flier for the event:



^Share it around!

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I am thoroughly impressed by the things Switchfoot are doing for this great man. John M. Perkins' story is one that has been overlooked and underexposed by much of the mainstream media, so the fact that the band is looking to use its position to shine light on Mr. Perkins' story is fantastic. If you are in the Jackson area, please make an effort to go out and support this evening! It sounds like it's going to be a remarkable night of beauty, social justice, and the human heart.

Switchfoot takes home "Album of the Year" award at the 2010 San Diego Music awards!

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Continuing what has been a phenomenal year for Switchfoot, the band was given the "Album of the Year" honor at the 2010 San Diego Music Awards for "Hello Hurricane." This is Switchfoot's third Album of the Year award from the SDMA's, and their tenth overall from their hometown awards show. Their last distinction came in 2007 when "Oh! Gravity." also took home the Album of the Year.

SignOnSanDiego reports that the band accepted the honor via video feed, since they are currently on tour in South America.

Congratulations, bros! You certainly deserve it.

Latin America and Switchfoot video digest.

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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The Latin American tour has been receiving a phenomenal response so far. I've come to the conclusion that Switchfoot's biggest, zaniest fans are from the South American region of the world. Mucho bueno, amigos and amigas! (Pardon my terrible Spanish... never really did well in that class).

Anyways, here are some videos from Switchfoot's time so far in the southern hemisphere. It's insane; I would like to be at one of those shows...

Costa Rica (9-10-10)

Awakening



Only Hope/Dare You to Move



^HOLY CRAP at the response. Wow.

This Is Home



More:

Needle
Mess of Me
Stars
Gone
Your Love Is a Song
This Is Your Life
The Sound
Hello Hurricane
We Are One Tonight
Twenty Four
Meant to Live

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Bogota Colombia (9-11-10)

The Sound



Your Love Is a Song



More:
edgigar86's Channel

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Mexico:

"Needle and Haystack Life"/"Mess of Me"

"The Sound" on CSI: Miami promo; Switchfoot dances towards "crossover" hit?

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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Some of you have begun to see this on tv, but "The Sound" is being featured in tv promos for this fall's season of "CSI: Miami."

Check it out in this video below:



^Does it fit? What do you think? I enjoy seeing Switchfoot's songs on media like this, but it doesn't always fit? Give us your thoughts in the comments!

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Also, the "Always" dance remix by Max Vangeli and AN21 has become a solid Dance hit, reaching No. 5 on the iTunes Dance charts. Dare we say that Switchfoot has crossed over into the Dance world? Perhaps not, but this is a great way to expose the band's songs to an audience that probably would not otherwise bother to listen.

"Always" Remix by AN21 and Max Vangeli available on iTunes; Videos, videos, videos...

For up to date (most of the time) news and original opinions before they hit the update, follow us on Twitter!

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For those who have been waiting it out, the "Always" remix by AN21 and Max Vangeli is now available on iTunes. Check it out here.

So far, it's been the No. 13 Dance track on iTunes:



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Videos times. Here are some live concert videos from Switchfoot's recent gig in Atlanta:

Needle and Haystack Life



Your Love Is a Song
This Is Your Life
The Sound
Stars

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And lastly, to cap off another slow news day in a slow news week, follow the Bidfire contest winner Ruddy Gracia on his epic journey with Switchfoot recording "Your Love Is a Song" for iTunes:

Charity Auction Winner from BidFire on Vimeo.

Fiction Family tunes are coming; more news bits

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The members of Fiction Family have been tweeting quite a bit lately about the upcoming project they're working on. Here's your digest:

@seancwatkins (Sean Watkins):

- September 1, 2010: Starting off the Fiction Family recoding day. http://tweetphoto.com/42706674



- September 1, 2010: Great productive day recording with fiction family. Tracked 2 new ones of mine, and finished off two of jon's that needed touching up.

- September 2, 2010: Couple pics from today http://tweetphoto.com/42797565




@TylerChester (Tyler Chester):

- August 31, 2010: Time to finish up this Fiction Family recording. This record is turning out so, so good.


@jonathanforeman:

- September 3, 2010: got some great fiction family jams recorded this week. Now boarding... plane sweet plane


^Who's looking forward to hearing these new tunes? I'm hoping the addition, officially, of Aaron Redfield on drums and Tyler Chester on bass will beef up the sound of this side project. Also interested to see what tunes come out of this record. Thoughts?

Oh, and Tim Foreman chimed in too:

- @Jonathanforeman is playing some new @fictionfamily jams on the bus on our drive to Kentucky. They sound great, dig em.

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Last week, "The Sound" was once again Stryker's No. 1 Requested Song on KROQ. GREAT WORK, footsoldiers. Keep it going by requesting the track here.

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Switchfoot's tour with The Almost has gotten a lot of disappointing reactions from the fans due to the lack of tour dates, particularly on the western portion of the U.S. These new dates should calm a few nerves, though not many, I'm assuming:

10/9 - Tyler, TX – The Venue Down Under (w/ The Almost)
10/28 – Santa Cruz, CA – Catalyst Club

^Head over to switchfoot.com for ticketing info and what-not. Let's hope for more tour dates! :)

BREAKING: Switchfoot's iTunes Session record will be available internationally on September 6!

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That's right. Got word from management that all you international peeps will be able to download the awesome new Switchfoot "iTunes Sessions" record on September 6! Mark your calendars!

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Next, we have some chart stuff that I have obviously been slacking off on. It might have something to do with the fact there is very little in the way of movement this week.

"The Sound" sits tight at No. 10 on Alternative Songs, despite an almost 100 spin increase from last week.

"Your Love Is a Song" jumps from 39-38 on Adult Pop Songs, sticks at No. 16 on Christian CHR, and back up a spot to No. 20 on national Christian Songs.

Another fun bit of chart news, the new "iTunes Session" album was (and as of now still is) the No. 5 Alternative Album on the iTunes Store, and "Hello Hurricane" has reached back up to No. 10 on that same chart, thanks to the $8.99 deal.



The sessions disc also has reached as high as No. 22 on the overall albums chart, with "Hurricane" re-surging back up to No. 67. Needless to say, it's been a great week for Switchfoot!

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Billboard reports that Switchfoot's music and live video clips will be returning to ESPN during the 2010 college football season.

Atlantic doesn't cease to amaze with the undying support for this band. So great.