Switchfoot

Switchfoot is taking a step back from its usual touring duties to help Habitat for Humanity.

The California rock-and-pop band has joined forces with Robert Randolph and Jars of Clay for the national One Campaign/Music Builds Tour. Sunday, the groups play the Broomfield Event Center to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity's local projects.

Switchfoot fuses hard-driving rock riffs and electronic grooves into its radio-friendly songs. The band's racked up more than 15 million hits on its MySpace site, and Switchfoot's tune "This Is Home" was featured in the 2008 movie "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian."

"We write music for thinking people," Switchfoot bassist Tim Foreman said. "Our music asks a lot of questions and gives back answers. Our songs are personal and honest. They really connect to our fans.

"We just back from Jakarta, Indonesia. They didn't speak English, but the translators said the songs meant a lot to the fans."

The members of Switchfoot also are known for their humanitarian work.

The conscientious group has raised funds for homeless kids in San Diego. The band also started the organization lowercase people to aid worldwide social causes.

Switchfoot also likes to help out Habitat for Humanity and the organization's house-building projects for disadvantaged Americans,

"This is the second tour we've done for Habitat," Foreman said. "We wanted to walk away from our shows with something tangible, and Habitat is active in every city on this tour. We even go out and help build the houses -- I have a black-and-blue thumb to prove it.

"There's a great community aspect to this. Working alongside the homeowners as we help build their homes is a life-changing experience."

Sunday marks the last stop of the 25-city Habitat for Humanity tour, but Switchfoot will be playing select shows for the rest of the year.

"We just want to travel and make a difference beyond making songs," Foreman said.

Lotus' Hammerstrike

Lotus is striking forward with its new CD, Hammerstrike.

Local electronic-rock outfit changed gears for its new project. Lotus dipped back into '70s sounds, but brought the music into the future via feedback, distortion and "big guitar sounds" on its upcoming record.

"We've been a very instrumental band, but we've started adding a little more vocal stuff," bassist Jesse Miller said. "We've incorporated the vocals as another instrument.

"We've also moved away from some of the electronic influences on the new CD. It captures more of our rock side."

Lotus recorded Hammerstrike live in a one-room studio. The avant-rock band flushed out its new songs by using orchestrated and electronic sounds.

"These new songs are very dance oriented," Miller said. "We wrote more for the guitar as opposed to the keyboard.

"It will be out on SCI Fidelity Records, because they understand the jam scene and how to cross over into other scenes."

Lotus fans will also be appreciative of the band's new live show at the Ogden Theatre. Tonight's concert will feature a brand new light show and other stage surprises.

Don't worry if you can't make it to Denver, as Lotus is set to play the Fox Theatre on Dec. 30 and New Year's Eve.

Other stuff

The Fox hosts Hot Buttered Rum tonight and Saturday.

The Boulder Theater goes Latin tonight with local band Quemando. Tuesday, singer/songwriter Dar Williams returns to the venue.