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Switchblade Symphony was a San Francisco, United States Gothic rock Darkwave band which was formed in 1989 by composer Susan Wallace and vocalist Tina Root. They released their first album in 1995 on the Cleopatra Records label. They also had two live guitarists, first Robin Jacobs and then George Earth, and two live drummers, first Eric Gebow and then Scott van Shoick. Switchblade Symphony's music combined orchestral sounds with heavy synth sequences and ethereal vocals to create a highly original sound resembling The Flower Duet sung over a twisted union of classical music and gothic rock. The band's name refers to this union, the result of cutting up elements of classical music to mix them with harder sounds. Though this sound is uncommon, it might be compared with Rhea's Obsession, Siouxsie, Cindergarden, The Machine in the Garden and Dead Can Dance.
The band is most known for embarking on a USA tour with "riot-goth legends" Jack Off Jill and Psychotica. Switchblade Symphony disbanded in November 1999. Subsequently, Tina Root started Tre Lux. Former members Susan WallaceTina RootRobin JacobsGeorge EarthEric GebowScott van Shoick