Buried deep in the snowcapped mountains of Colorado, a distant rumble breathes life to a new breed of dynamic metal; a quintet by the name of Switchpin. Formed in May of 2001, Switchpin is Mike Smith(vocals), Pat Anderson (drums), Billy Thompson (guitars), Geoff Frantz (bass), and Eric Bloomquist (guitars). Fusing together modern alternative heaviness akin to the likes of Chimaira, American Head Charge, etc. spiked with their own taint of melody, thunderous riffs, and a crushing rhythm section, Switchpin leave no stone unturned in their quest to turn the tides of metal warfare from a whiter shade of pale to a murky somber black. Since landing a covetous band sponsorship from Jagermeister and the famed JagerMusic Band Program, Switchpin have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with some of metal’s most elite: American Recording Artists Slayer, RoadRunner Recording Artists Machine Head, Killswitch Engage, Chimaira, 36 Crazyfists, and Five Pointe-0, Century Media Artists God Forbid, Diecast, and Candiria, Columbia Recording Artists The Union Underground, Artemis Recording artists Dope, Nuclear Blast Artists Tapping the Vein, Psycopathic Recording Artists Zug Izland, Metal-Blade Artists 40 Grit, Relapse recording artists, Mastodon, Nitrus Recording Artists American Head Charge Psychodrama Recording Artists Dry Kill Logic, and many more. Inspired and built upon by the likes of Sepultura, Slayer, Pantera, Switchpin is the middle finger to the music business that is a now cliché homogeneous mix of trends, and images. This five-piece is what your mother doesn’t want you to listen to. Flaunting such a powerful resume of “Bands Played With”, the swank doesn’t stop there – June, 2004 saw the release of Switchpin’s first full length DIY effort, …The Truest Form Of Flattery. Produced by Switchpin, and Dave Otero (Cephalic Carnage, Throcult, Synthetic Delusion). TFOF expands on the band’s personal feelings, and pent up emotion. The effort continues a tradition of heavy, where “Redemption” (2002) has left off. Having been ranked #1 in various regional Metal charts on MP3.com, #2 in the International NuMetal\Hardcore charts on MP3.com, with six other songs in the top 25, it’s simple to see Swtichpin’s future is approaching fever pitch. Two words indubitably define the musical creativity and buildup of what this band embodies: Passion and Aggression. Switchpin are constantly on a strict touring regiment, winning fans over nationwide breaking into both the West and East coasts, and laying waste to the Mid-West, their 7 states in 9 days ‘No Coast, Whore-Core Tour’ is testament to the work ethic put forth by these select group of musicians. 2004-2005 will see its fair share of Switchpin shows. The quiet place? An end? There isn’t one - clearly the bands impetuous streak has not been quelled yet. With new material always in the works, Switchpin is gearing up to take their musical destruction into overdrive. A foreseeable trail of empty beer cans, ravaged women, and fans stricken with awe is what this breakdown in silence is all about. Forget about the way it was, and prepare for the onslaught that is Switchpin.
