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Chad Butler
A true California dude-actually, he was born in the Netherlands, equally close to the ocean's influence-Chad Butler was a serious surf instructor. His musical accomplishments followed in the wake of a degree from the University of California at San Diego. Chad came to prominence internationally with the local band Switchfoot, populated by like-minded fans of surfing, so much so that their band's name reflects deft surf board tactics. In this band, which grew to wild international acclaim, Chad has honed a unique, powerful style using the traditional drumset of minimalist proportions, augmented with Toca percussion instruments. Chad Butler might well have been destined for the stadiums. His father, Chuck, was lead singer and songwriter for seventies headliners Parable and also The Chuck Butler Band. Currently he is a pastor in a non-denominational church in California. Not surprisingly, given his religious upbringing, Chad's band, Switchfoot, has consistently reconciled Christian values with the heavy rock ethic. To be sure, it is a difficult balancing act, that of reaching out credibly to diverse markets, and the band has sometimes shied away from the Christian Rock label-only a partial description-and from religious dogma. Nonetheless, it has been the path to platinum and double-platinum recordings (such as The Beautiful Letdown and Nothing is Sound) and relentless touring. In 2006, Chad and Switchfoot received honors at the 16th annual San Diego Music Awards, where they were voted Artist of the Year. Since the year 2000, the awards have donated over one thousand three-quarter sized guitars to San Diego County schools. The next year, Switchfoot toured in support of Habitat for Humanity, an institution that provides respectable, often single unit housing for those who otherwise would not qualify. Chad's style is clean and powerful without excess. His use of percussion effects is as tasteful as it is innovative. Chad's drumming influences include Stevie Wonder and Dave Grohl. < Back to the Toca Arists Main Menu
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