Switchfoot and Collective Soul with Jade Jackson played the YouTube Theater last night. These two bands dominated the charts in the 90’s and 00’s. Collective Soul formed in Stockbridge, GA in 1992 and in 1996 Switchfoot formed in San Diego. Collective Soul consists of three of five original members with lead vocalist Ed Roland and his brother Dean (Rhythm Guitar) and bassist Will Turpin. Drummer Johnny Rabb joined in 2012 and is the fourth drummer in the group and lead guitarist Jesse Triplett joined in 2014 and was the third lead guitarist in the group. Collective Soul’s newest release Vibrating hit number four on the Billboard Current Alternative chart and six on the Current Rock Albums chart. This is the group’s 12th release.
Collective Soul has had a Gold album, two Platinum, a 2x Platinum and a 3x Platinum selling album. Collective Soul had seven number one U.S. Mainstream singles and over 25 charting singles. Collective Soul played all the hits like “Shine,” “The World I Know,” and “December.” Following “Better Now” Ed Roland performed a new song, Bob Dylan Where Are You Today solo acoustic and with a harmonica.
Ed Roland named some of the group’s influences but there was one in particular from GA that really inspired the group which was none other than R.E.M. Jackson joined in for a cover of “The One I Love.” Triplett jokingly played the opening riff to Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” first. However, that wasn’t the only guest. Ed Roland brought out an old friend that became a huge producer under the age of 30 working with a number of great artists at Atlantic Records like Matchbox 20, Cher, and Edwin McCain and from 2002-05 was the chairman of Virgin Records. Back in 1994 Matt Serletic co-produced the hit song “December” with Ed Roland and the last time they performed that song together was Woodstock 94. Serletic joined in on piano. Collective Soul closed out their 13-song set with “Run.” They ended acoustically with all the members out front and Rabb playing tambourine.
Switchfoot released their 12th album Interrobang last year. The group has had five number one U.S. Christian Rock singles. They’ve had two Gold albums and a 2x Platinum album. Switchfoot is founding members lead vocalist Jon Foreman and his brother Tim (Bass), and drummer Chad Butler and lead guitarist Boaz Roberts who replaced Drew Shirley, the group’s lead guitarist for the last 17 years. Switchfoot has won three ASCAP awards, 14 GMA Dove Awards, a Grammy, and 12 San Diego Music Awards.
Switchfoot opened their set with “Take My Fire,” and by the end of song three the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage” Jon Foreman was in the crowd. Foreman stayed up the orchestra seats for the next song “Bull in a China Shop,” and made his way back to the stage on the following song “If I Were You.” Before “If I Were You,” Jon dedicated the song to his younger brother “For putting up with my shenanigans.” Switchfoot closed out the show with “Where I Belong,” and “Meant to Live.”
Words and photos by Alex Kluft
