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.
Sometime before the band began work on their second album, they fired bassist Jason French for unknown reasons. They then replaced him with former Stereomud/Stuck Mojo bassist Corey Lowery, who would eventually leave the band to join Dark New Day. They also parted ways with drummer Chad Szeliga sometime in this time period, and as a result, most of the drums on the "Ghosts in the Machine" album are programmed. During the recording phase for their second album, the band decided to go on an indefinite hiatus, mainly due to the band's poor relationship with Immortal Records. The hiatus more-or-less signaled that they had broken up, and members of the band went 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 popular post-grunge group Breaking Benjamin in 2004, bassist Corey Lowery helped form alternative metal group Dark New Day, 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", and is currently the lead guitar player in Dark New Day. Vocalist Ben Schigel found success as a producer working with bands such as Drowning Pool, Chimaira, Breaking Benjamin, Rikets, Bleed the Sky 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.
The name SW1TCH also currently belongs to a Cortland, NY artist (Peter Natale) who creates music for clubs.
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.
Reflections
Switched Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In disgust I close another chapter of my life, and its over to understand.
[Chorus]
'Cause I don't care...
'Cause I don't care
So why don't you leave me here?
'Cause I'm better off dead, and I'm better off DEAD!
Say you will not follow me-
I chase this crap around
Say you will not follow me- you whore
Stay away, stay away
Wash my hands from years of regret.
Wipe away the dirt that I love, and its taking its toll down on me.
'Cause I'm better off dead, and I'm better off DEAD!
[Chorus]
Ignore your attempt to weak my strength.
I was expecting more.
And to your shell you run from me.
To be just like me!
[Chorus]
You turned out just like me!
Stay away!
Reflections!!
The lyrics of Switched's song, "Reflections," tell the story of a person who has come to the realization that they are better off dead and want nothing to do with others. The opening line, "It's all my face, a pale disguise," suggests that the singer is hiding their true feelings, perhaps to appear more socially acceptable. They are feeling disgusted with how their life has turned out, and are ready to close another chapter in their life.
The chorus of the song reads "Cause I don't care... so why don't you leave me here?" This line conveys a sense of apathy towards the world and a desire to be left alone. The singer is better off dead, and nothing else really matters. They are willing to ostracize themselves from society, telling others to stay away.
The song reflects a sense of despair and hopelessness. The singer has been carrying years of regret and dirt in their life, and it's taking its toll on them. The line "Ignore your attempt to weak my strength, I was expecting more," could be interpreted as the singer's frustration with failed attempts by others to help them. They may have given up entirely and feel that people are better off not even trying.
Interesting facts about the song include that it was written by Switched lead vocalist Ben Schigel and guitarist Brad Kochmit. It was released as a single in 2002 and was featured on the band's debut album, "Subject to Change." The album was produced by Flip guitarist and Deftones collaborator Nick Raskulinecz.
Line by Line Meaning
Its all my face, a pale disguise.
I am concealing my true emotions behind a mask of indifference and detachment.
In disgust I close another chapter of my life, and its over to understand.
I am putting an end to an unsatisfying phase of my life, although I am not sure I comprehend its significance.
'Cause I don't care...
I am apathetic towards the opinions or actions of others.
So why don't you leave me here?
If you do not concern yourself with me, I will remain in solitude.
'Cause I'm better off dead, and I'm better off DEAD!
I find living unbearable and believe death is a preferable alternative.
Say you will not follow me- I chase this crap around
Promise me you will not emulate my behavior- my existence is directionless and meaningless.
Say you will not follow me- you whore
Refrain from following me or imitating my way of life, you useless person.
Stay away, stay away
Please keep your distance from me.
Wash my hands from years of regret.
I am attempting to rid myself of feelings of remorse accumulated over a long period of time.
Wipe away the dirt that I love, and its taking its toll down on me.
I am struggling with letting go of habits that are harmful to me even though I am attached to them.
Ignore your attempt to weak my strength.
I will not allow you to undermine my resilience.
I was expecting more.
I had anticipated you to have greater significance in my life than you do.
And to your shell you run from me.
You are withdrawing into yourself to avoid me.
To be just like me!
You are becoming similar to me, which is something I regret and do not wish upon you.
You turned out just like me!
You have become what I feared the most- an identical version of myself.
Reflections!!
These are my internal musings and observations put into words.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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