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Switches was formed in the United Kingdom in 2005 by Matt Bishop (lead vocals and guitar), Ollie Thomas (guitar and backing vocals), Maxwell Tite (bass guitar) and James Gardiner (drums). The quartet met while studying at the University of Guildford in Surrey, and Bishop had already been writing songs and recording in his Essex home. Their first public release was the Message from Yuz EP on 10 July 2006 through Degenerate Records, followed by the limited‑edition single "Lay Down the Law" in September 2006. In August 2006 the band recorded their debut album, Heart Tuned To D.E.A.D., which was issued on 23 April 2007 and reached Number 64 on the UK Albums Chart. The group released the single "Drama Queen" on 29 January 2007 through Atlantic Records and performed at Reading and Leeds Festivals, the Reading Festival, and the 2007 Glastonbury Festival on the Other Stage. In early 2008 bassist Thom Kirkpatrick and drummer Steve Godfrey joined, and Switches released their American album Lay Down the Law on 18 March 2008 after a U.S. tour with The Bravery; tracks from the album were featured in the film Jumper and on television programs such as The Album Chart Show and Jimmy Kimmel. The band disbanded in late 2008, and founding members Matt Bishop and Ollie Thomas later formed Flash Fiktion.
