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UNDEROATH
DEFINING GREATNESS THROUGH MUSIC
by Lisa Sharer
Photos by Sylvia Hagar
From the July 2007 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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 Underoath are (L-R) Grant Brandell, James Smith, Spencer Chamberlain, Chris Dudley,
Aaron Gillespie, and Tim McTague. (photo courtesy of Underoath) |
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Florida not only produces some of the best
tattoo conventions, but it also holds some
great musical talent. Spencer Chamberlain and
Aaron Gillespie of Underoath give the ups, downs,
and inside-outs of becoming who they are today."It's
been great. It’s been the ride of our lives, we're very
fortunate and very blessed to be here," says
Gillespie. From sleeping on urine scented floors to
barely escaping death, blessed is probably the best
way to put it.
The current lineup is actually much different from the original.
Member changes were constant in the beginning, and have
modified many aspects of the music along the way. Originally a
heavier sound, Underoath's current style has mellowed and
taken a more screamo influenced direction. Many fans were disappointed
at first, but the band has gone on to change many of
those opinions.This sextet has found its way into the homes of
people all around the world. Their international traveling and
continuous touring has helped to brand Underoath as one of
the most loved post-hardcore/Christian metalcore bands out
there today. Case in point, their last album, Define the Great Line,
went gold in a little less than five months.
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 Spencer Chamberlain (vocals) |
 Aaron Gillespie (drums/vocals) |
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What kind of ink do these golden boys wear? Pretty much
whatever they like. Some tattoos garner deep feeling and some
are just for fun, like the T-Rex Gillespie sports on his bicep. His
feeling about the chair, however, has changed over time. "The
first five or six times you sit down it's fun, you know? Like yeah,
I'm stoked I'm getting a tattoo. It pisses me off now when I’m getting
it done. I like the thought of getting one, and a week after I
get it. Everything in between there...not fun." The worst problem
he’s found though, is that "they're addictive, so addictive."
Both Gillespie and Chamberlain confess that they received
their first tattoos at the ripe old age of 22, which was only about
a year and a half ago for both of them. In that short period, both
members have already had some pretty big work done, and
there are plans for much more in the future. Gillespie explains,
"I'd really like to get my torso tattooed, but I’m scared."
Even those tough musicians you look up to get a little nervous
when facing the chair.
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 Tim McTague (bass) |
 Grant Brandell (guitar) and Chris Dudley (keyboards) |
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As declared Christians, you might think that they would
find tattoos blasphemous, but there are many temples being
inked everyday. Gillespie has an interesting theory that might
shine some light on the subject. "When you really think about
it, what I believe, I believe the Bible is perfect truth. When
Jesus died on the cross he said you're free from the curse of
the law. All the laws you read about your body being a temple
and do not mark your body are in like Leviticus law, which
was about 2,500 years before any of that happened. And you
go in to a church, and the church is what...it's decorated. Just
my theory, without getting too theological on you." Tattoos
have become a decoration and celebration of art for these
temples and many like them.
Tattoos and all, it's been a tough ride for Underoath.
Gillespie recalls how the friends became one unit, "from high
school and life and just very, very many crazy stories and happenstance
to where we sit today." Like many bands,
Underoath found it difficult to be taken seriously in the
beginning. Chamberlain agrees, "touring all the time in a van
playing for nobody, sleeping on people’s floors." All of which
are uncomfortable situations for guys trying to hit the big
time. "Cat houses. Everybody has that story, you know, when
they were in vans, sleeping on floors in the cat house.You go
to this chick’s house that's got like nineteen cats, and the
house smells like ammonia so bad you can’t even breathe. The
cat houses are the worst," says Gillespie. "And they're always
messing with your feet," inserts Chamberlain.
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 Spencer Chamberlain excites the crowd |
 James Smith (guitar) |
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More intimidating, however, may be Gillespie's new
found loathing of airplanes. "Flying is negative. It's not natural.
Going through the air in a metal tube...not natural." His
opinion based deeply in his experience. He described a time
when he had taken a flight to record some vocals, and the plane
actually caught on fire. "The cockpit just caught on fire. It was
really scary, and it’s ruined my perception of flying ever since."
In spite of this incident, Gillespie toughs through it for the fans.
"We just did a tour this last year that was around nineteen
flights to Japan,Australia...It was all overseas and I didn't sleep
on one flight.We had three flights that were twelve and a half
hours long. I was awake the whole time."
The fans have made Underoath humble musicians.When
asked what has been the most positive influence, Gillespie
replies, “It’s all been positive.” Chamberlain concurs, “Those
kids out there, that's positive. Good vibes.” He looks towards
the sea of concert goers wrapped around the huge building
waiting patiently to flow into the venue. With this modest
approach and several records under their belt, Underoath has
gained a huge and dedicated following. For those of you that
love the music, you’ll love the new DVD, 777; there is tons of
behind the scenes and backstage footage. Get to know
Underoath up close and personal.
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