Switched (band)

Last updated

Switched
Also known as
  • Sw1tched
  • Sw1tch (formerly)
Origin Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Genres Nu metal [1] [2]
Years active1999–2010
Labels

Switched (previously depicted as Sw1tched) was an American nu metal band from Cleveland, Ohio.

Contents

History

Forming in 1999 as Sw1tch, the band played shows around Ohio and released a demo entitled Fuckin' Demo. The songs "Anymore", "Wrongside", "Inside", "Darkening Days", "Last Chance", and "Skins", which appear in their demo versions on this CD, went on to appear on the Subject to Change album. This demo was later re-released on disc two of the "Ghosts in the Machine" album in 2006. Since a funk band already had rights to the name Switch, the band had to change their name to Sw1tched, and was later signed to Immortal/Virgin Records. After recording all of the bass for the Subject to Change album, bassist Shawn May left the band for unknown reasons, and was replaced by Chimaira drum tech Jason French. French did play bass on one song on the album, though, since the band re-recorded the song "Walk Away" before the album was released.

Switched rose to prominence playing at popular festivals such as Ozzfest in 2002 and on the Vans Warped Tour in 2001 and 2002. Their debut album titled, Subject to Change was released via Immortal/Virgin Records in 2002, and went on to sell over 100,000 records worldwide.

In mid-2003, the group severed ties with both their label Immortal Records and their former management team. [3] Bassist Jason French was replaced by former Stuck Mojo and Stereomud bassist Corey Lowery, who would eventually leave the band to join Dark New Day. During the recording phase for their second album, they had planned to adopt a new name, Sky Fall Down, by January 2004 – a reflection on the new direction the band was taking. [4] Instead, the band went on a two-year hiatus, with several members of the band moving on to other projects.

Former bassist Shawn May, who had left the band in 2001 prior to the release of "Subject to Change", started a custom bass shop in Michigan. Drummer Chad Szeliga joined Leo in 2004 and then later joined popular post-grunge group Breaking Benjamin in 2005. Bassist Corey Lowery helped form alternative metal group Dark New Day, and later formed Eye Empire. Lead guitarist B.C. Kochmit joined then left hard rock group "Rikets" to form his own projects, called "Tinjen", "Shambella", and "My Alter-Ego Experiment." He was the lead guitar player in Dark New Day for a short time, and Eye Empire with Lowery and also was a member of the band Nonpoint. Vocalist Ben Schigel found success as a producer [5] working with bands such as Drowning Pool, Chimaira, [6] Breaking Benjamin, Rikets, Bleed the Sky, Solus Deus and Allele.

With help from their first manager, Thom Hazaert, now co-president of Californian indie label, Corporate Punishment Records, the group reformed (with a modified lineup) and released their second album titled, Ghosts in the Machine on January 10, 2006. The two-disc album contains rarities, b-sides and demos. The first disc includes eleven tracks that were intended for the band's second Immortal release, while the second disc includes four live songs plus several demos and the unreleased track "She Blinded Me with Science". The quality of the first disc can be described as "rough" as the tracks weren't yet mastered and still in the demo phase.

A repackaged version of Subject to Change was also released which features the b-side track "Spread", the Howard Benson produced alternate versions of "Walkaway" and "Inside" and the Rick Will mix of "Inside". Two videos for "Inside" are also included.

Current status

Switched declared a second hiatus after Ghosts in the Machine but as of January 2010, according to Ben Schigel, there are no plans to continue with Sw1tched. Ben Schigel currently works as a producer at Spider Studios in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. He has produced bands such as Ringworm, Chimaira, Bleed The Sky and Solus Deus; just to name a few.

Bassist Corey Lowery and guitarist B.C. Kochmit have since formed hard rock supergroup Eye Empire with solo artist Dixie Duncan and former members of Submersed singer Donald Carpenter and drummer Garrett Whitlock.

Ben Schigel produces bands at his Spider Studio. He also plays drums for pop rock band SomeKindaWonderful.

Band members

Last known lineup

Former members

Discography

Release dateTitleLabel
2000Fuckin' DemoIndependently released
2001 Spread Your E.P. Immortal Records
2002Inside EPImmortal Records
February 26, 2002 Subject to Change Immortal Records
January 10, 2006Subject to Change (re-release) Corporate Punishment
January 10, 2006 Ghosts in the Machine Corporate Punishment

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cracker (band)</span> American rock band

Cracker is an American rock band, formed in 1990 by lead singer David Lowery and guitarist Johnny Hickman. The band's first album Cracker was released in 1992 on Virgin Records; it included the single "Teen Angst ", which went to #1 on the U.S. Modern Rock chart. The band's follow-up, the 1993 album Kerosene Hat included the hit songs "Low", "Get Off This", and "Euro-Trash Girl".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancient (band)</span> Norwegian black metal band

Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1992. The band released six full-length albums released by Metal Blade Records to date and a variety of mini-albums, EPs and special releases. Ancient used to have the classic raw black metal sound, similar to Darkthrone's works. Beginning with The Cainian Chronicle, they moved towards a more Nordic/atmospheric black metal sound, akin to Emperor and a cleaner production. After a period of turmoil concerning their line-up, they went on to add gothic-style instruments such as violins, a female vocalist, and synthesizers to their music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stone Sour</span> American rock band

Stone Sour was an American rock band formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1992. The band performed for five years before disbanding in 1997. They reunited in 2000 and since 2015, the group has consisted of Corey Taylor, Josh Rand (guitar), Christian Martucci (guitar), Johny Chow (bass) and Roy Mayorga (drums). Longtime members Joel Ekman and Shawn Economaki left the band in 2006 and 2011, respectively. Former lead guitarist Jim Root left in 2014. The band has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walls of Jericho (band)</span> American metalcore band

Walls of Jericho is an American metalcore band from Detroit, formed in 1998.

<i>The Impossibility of Reason</i> 2003 studio album by Chimaira

The Impossibility of Reason is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Chimaira, released on May 13, 2003. It is the first album to feature Matt DeVries on rhythm guitar. The album is a noted for its groove metal-oriented sound, especially when compared to the band's previous releases which were considered closer to the nu metal genre. Upon release, it debuted No. 117 on the Billboard 200 charts. To date the album has sold around 200,000 copies in the US.

<i>Chimaira</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Chimaira

Chimaira is the third studio album by Chimaira, released on August 9, 2005. It debuted No. 74 on the Billboard 200 charts and sold 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The album would be the band's final release under Roadrunner Records and the only one to feature Kevin Talley on drums.

Dark New Day was an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2004 featuring Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Troy McLawhorn of DoubleDrive, Corey Lowery of Stereomud and Stuck Mojo, and Will Hunt of Skrape. Their debut album, Twelve Year Silence, was released in 2005, followed by the EP Black Porch in 2006. Though still inactive, Dark New Day released their second album, titled New Tradition, in 2012. On February 19, 2013, the band released their third album, titled Hail Mary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dååth</span> American heavy metal band

Dååth is an American death metal band from Atlanta. Their music incorporates styles such as death metal, industrial metal, and some traces of gypsy jazz.

<i>Subject to Change</i> (Switched album) 2002 studio album by Switched

Subject to Change is the debut album by the Ohio nu metal band Switched. It was released on February 26, 2002 via Immortal Records and went on to sell over 40,000 copies in US.

<i>Ghosts in the Machine</i> 2006 studio album by Switched

Ghosts in the Machine is the second album by the Ohio nu metal band Switched. This is a two-disc album, with the first disc featuring 11 tracks that were intended for the band's second release under their previous label, Immortal Records. The quality of these songs are rough, as they were still in the demo phase. The second disc includes 12 tracks in total, 8 demo tracks – 7 of which featured on their debut album Subject to Change and one b-side track "She Blinded Me with Science". The remaining four tracks are live performances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bleed the Sky (band)</span> American metalcore band

Bleed the Sky is an American metalcore band formed in Orange County, California, in 2002.

<i>This Present Darkness</i> (EP) 2000 EP by Chimaira

This Present Darkness is the debut EP and first major release of American heavy metal band Chimaira. As of 2007, the EP has sold more than 10,000 copies, and paved the way for the group’s debut album, Pass Out of Existence which would see a release the following year. Two songs from this EP, "Painting the White to Grey" and "Sphere," were re-recorded for the album's 2001 release.

<i>The Infection</i> 2009 studio album by Chimaira

The Infection is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Chimaira. Released in the US on April 20, 2009 and worldwide on April 24, it reached position 30 on the Billboard 200 charts on its first week of release, selling around 15,000 copies. This was improvement from the previous album's debut at No. 42. It is also their last album to feature long time bassist Jim Lamarca, drummer Andols Herrick, as well as longtime keyboard player Chris Spicuzza.

<i>Chills</i> (EP) 2008 EP by Hello Demons...Meet Skeletons

Chills is the first solo album by American guitarist Clint Lowery, released on October 12, 2008. Lowery previously worked with bands like Still Rain, Sevendust and Dark New Day.

For the Electric Light Orchestra-style band by Boston musician Bleu and collaborators, see LEO (band)

<i>Words That Sing Well</i> 2011 EP by Hello Demons...meet Skeletons

Words That Sing Well is the second solo album by American musician Clint Lowery, released on April 19, 2011. A hardcopy release of the new album and 2008's Chills EP was released via the official online store on April 15, 2011.

<i>The Age of Hell</i> 2011 studio album by Chimaira

The Age of Hell is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Chimaira. The album was released on August 16, 2011. The album sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on the Billboard 200 chart. In an interview, the band stated they have filmed a music video. On August 10, 2011, the official video for "Year of the Snake" was released. The DVD that was released through a Hot Topic edition featured a 50-minute interview with the new line up, no music videos were featured.

<i>The Age of Remix Hell</i> 2011 EP by Chimaira

The Age of Remix Hell is a digital EP by American metal band Chimaira. The album was released for free online on December 24, 2011, through Multiupload.com.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chimaira</span> American heavy metal band

Chimaira was an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the group was a member of the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene. The band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. Throughout its history, the band had numerous line-up changes, leaving vocalist Mark Hunter as the only constant member. The band dissolved in 2014, but announced a one-off reunion in late 2017 wherein most of the group's longtime members rejoined.

Solus Deus was a death metal supergroup project from Orange County, California, United States. All of its musicians have been in other bands, such as Bleed the Sky, Living Sacrifice, Chimaira, Time Spent Burning, The Elite, and Once to Die. The band's name means "Only God", which vocalist Jey Collins says is personal to him. Other band members have their own personal beliefs. However, Solus Deus does not claim to be a religious band. In 2016, the band signed to EMP Underground, and Imprint of Dave Ellefson's (ex-Megadeth) label, EMP Label Group, who have a distributing deal through eOne.

References

  1. Taniwha. "Sw1tched". MusicMight. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
  2. O'Neill, Brian. "Switched – Subject to Change". AllMusic . Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  3. MusicMight – Artists – SW1TCHED Archived March 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  4. Out With the Nü | Soundcheck | Cleveland Scene
  5. Ben Schigel – Credits : AllMusic
  6. Bravewords.com > News > CHIMAIRA Producer Ben Schigel