Chad Butler

Chad Matthew Butler (born 24 March 1974, Amsterdam, Netherlands) is the drummer for the band Switchfoot which he co-founded along with Jon and Tim Foreman in 1996. Butler lived in Amsterdam for a few years, but he and his family later moved to San Diego, California where he now lives with his wife Tina (whom he married in 1999), his three children, Evan (born in 2001) and Dylan, and his daughter, Charlotte (born in summer of 2007).

As a kid, Butler dreamed of being a doctor but in Junior High, he developed an interest in drumming when he received his first drum set. He met future bandmate Jon Foreman on their high school water polo team and the two became friends.

Butler is a '97 UCSD Alumnus and earned a History of Science degree, a Business degree and taught surfing. Chad played in a variety of local bands throughout college, before joining with Jon and Tim Foreman to form the band Chin Up, later to be known as Switchfoot.

Butler cites Stevie Wonder, Foo Fighters, The Beatles, The Police, and U2 as some of his larger musical influences. He also endorses Tama Drums, currently playing their white Starclassic B/B set with chrome hardware. Butler is also endorsed by Paiste cymbals and pro-mark drumsticks.