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Alt-rockers Switchfoot play the Rogue Theatre San Diego alt-rock band Switchfoot celebrates its 20th anniversary with a new album. Photo courtesy of Last Word Features Saturday Jan 28, 2017 at 9:00 AM By Alan Sculley Last Word Features Switchfoot’s Tim Foreman believes his band's 2016 album “Where the Light Shines Through” offers nods to the rocking pop of the band’s earlier work and some entirely new musical twists. “It feels like a combination of our albums thrown into one, but in a completely different way," Foreman says during a telephone interview. "Our fans will recognize this album as a return to the flavors they remember from the old days, and those on the sidelines may be surprised with it. So that's fun." “Where the Light Shines Through” arrives during a time of change for Switchfoot — and a time for celebration considering 2016 marked the band’s 20th anniversary. The San Diego-based alternative rock band — bassist Foreman, singer and guitarist Jon Foreman, drummer Chad Butler, keyboard and guitar player Jerome Fontamillas and guitarist Drew Shirley — have garnered considerable success over the past two decades.  After early accomplishments on the Christian music scene, Switchfoot broke into mainstream in a big way with its 2003 “The Beautiful Letdown,” which sold about 2.6 million copies. The group went gone on to sell more than 6 million albums overall, while winning a Grammy for Best Rock Gospel Album with its 2009 “Hello Hurricane.” There have been some challenging times along the way, Foreman says. The time leading to "Where the Light Shines Through" reminds him of where the band was when it began recording "Hello Hurricane." “The two albums are probably the most similar to each other out of all our albums,” Foreman says. "'Hello Hurricane' also was the beginning of a new time for us. We cut ties with Sony (owner of the band's signed Columbia label). We had just built our own studio. We were taking back control of where we were headed. "I think the creative process for each album had its challenges. 'Where the Light Shines' wasn't at all streamlined in the creative process. We were trying to stay playful in the studio, and at the same time we were wrestling with heavy issues as a band." Foreman isn't specific about the personal issues during the recording project. On the business front, though, the group moved to another record label and changed management. It was a lot to work through, but Foreman says the process was healthy in the long run. “There was a lot of turmoil internally as we wrestled through that,” he says. “We had a chance to pull it together, which is kind of our story as a band. Every band goes through hard times. It's either something that galvanizes a band or tears it apart. In our case, I'm thankful that whenever we're going through a tough period, it's something that deepens our roots and our appreciation of each other, as hard as it may be in the moment." “Where the Light Shines Through” finds Switchfoot sounding inspired as the band strikes a balance between rock and pop on the urgent “If The House Burns Down Tonight,” the spacious rock of the title track and arena-worthy ballads like “Hope is the Anthem” and “I Won’t Let You Go.” But there are also some fresh touches, such as the modern soul and R&B groove of “Float,” the electronic and hip-hop textures of “Looking For America” and the funky and catchy rock of “Bull in a China Shop.” Pop and alt-rock band Relient K will open the show, available to all ages.