Updated: 07/20/04

Currently on the Warped Tour in support of their dynamic new album They’re Only Chasing Safety, Underoath is ready to hit the big time. Filled with tunes that you’ll be humming and screaming to for days, Underoath will surely win over new fans as well as keep their long time supporters thoroughly impressed. Our interview is with new vocalist Spencer Chamberlain.

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Underoath, and how long you?ve been with the band.
Hi my name is Spencer and I’m the vocalist for Underoath, I've been with these guys for about 9 to 10 months

Where did you get the idea for the CD title They’re Only Chasing Safety and what does that phrase mean personally to you?
Well, we were all sitting around the studio when we did demos for the new material and we all came up with it together by just shooting out different ideas. I think it holds a different meaning to each member, but to me its about the way people deal with life on a day to day basis, some people take what’s easiest and what won't cause confrontation even if it isn't the best choice.

What made you decide to leave your former band This Runs Through and join Underoath? Was it a difficult decision to make?
Well actually This Runs Through had broken up before I started playing with Underoath and the break up had nothing to do with Underoath.

What have the other guys in This Runs Through been up to since you’ve left? Have you heard from them?
Ummm, I still live with Tyson (who played guitar) and we chill all the time when I'm home with Josh (the bass player) and keep in touch on tour. I love those guys soooo much, and Phil (my brother, the drummer) I talk to about every day but he has moved back to North Carolina and plays drums in a band called Sullivan. Kevin (the other guitar player) lives like 10 miles away and I see him every once in a while.

Prior to joining Underoath, did you know their former singer Dallas? Has he been to see the band lately with you on vocals?
We didn't really know each other, he was actually the only guy in the band before I was in it that I didn't know too well and no he hasn't seen us yet but he told us he’s coming to our next show when we come

How much were you involved with the songwriting on the new album?
Well they had the music written and ideas done before they asked Dallas to leave, but then when I came in they tore apart almost every song and re-worked all the guitar riffs. Then me and Aaron went through and wrote all the lyrics.

When you write your lyrics, where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere haha, from something I have thought about, to something that has happened to me or someone I know or dreams I've had, just pretty much anything.

On one track, it sounds like you use a choir in the background (It's Dangerous Business -- I think). How difficult was that to arrange and was that something the band wanted to do all along with that song?
We had recorded it before we went during demos ourselves, so we knew what we wanted it to sound like. So during the recording of the CD we went down to a local church and asked them to sing it a certain way and recorded it there. It really wasn't that hard at all.

Do you mind singing the older Underoath songs or would you rather sing the new ones?
Nah, I have so much fun just playing no matter what it is. Will this be your first time on the Warped Tour? What are you looking forward to the most and the least about those shows?
Yeah this is my first time on Warped Tour and I’m looking forward to meeting tons of new people and good catering hahahhahaha, but the only thing that I won't enjoy is the weather, the heat kills me.

What can one expect from a live Underoath show?
A ton of energy, we go ‘til we can’t go anymore.

How influential is Christianity on your music and lyrics these days? Are you trying to move away from it at all?
It’s everything in our music, that’s why we do what we do.

What is the worst thing that has happened to you while touring -- either with Underoath or This Runs Through.
That’s hard to say, there is so much, i dont know where to start, theres been so many van problems that kill your bank or people gettin so sick that they have to go to the hospital, im not sure ive never thought of a worst thing before, i actually try to forget about em hahaha.

Any psycho Underoath groupies wandering around this great land?
Hahahahaha, I don't know, maybe.

Do you have any messages for fans or people who might be interested in checking out your music?
Just to check out the new CD, there’s something for everyone on it, we tried to do something that hasn't been done yet, so yah, check it out.

And now, an earlier interview with Underoath...

Updated: 08/29/02

Underoath is a hardcore rock band from Florida who have achieved quite a history in such short a time. Once on the more metallic side of things, the band has refined their style and still manage to thrill fans old and new with their thoughtful messages and thrilling live appearances. Having recently completed a tour with Zao, which included a stop at the well received Furnacefest in Alabama, Underoath recently took the time to answer questions from Highwire Daze. Read on to see what their drummer Aaron had to say about their changing of style, spiritual matters, and other interesting happens within the life and times of being Underoath.

Introduce yourself, tell me what you do in Underoath and how long the band has been together?
I am Aaron, the drummer/clean singer. Right around four years.

For those who have followed your career, the music on The Changing Of Times is different from your other releases. What made you guys decide to change your sound and what has the reaction been so far?
Well, it was a change we really wanted to make. The metal came from our old guitarist and it kinda left with him...we are just writing what comes out these days. The reaction for the most part has been amazing.

You perform the clean vocals on When The Sun Sleeps. Is that hard to sing and play the drums live at the same time and will there be more clean vocals in future material?
Umm..... at first it was kind of rough but its cool just depends on the day I guess ..........you'll just have to see.....hehe…

What does the album title The Changing Of Times mean to you and the band?
Exactly what it says - at the time we were going through so many changes and kinda learning over again how to do the basic things as a band.....

What did you think of the mixture of Christian and secular bands at this year's Furnacefest?
I really love Furnacefest - it is my fav. festival of the whole year. I really don't like to put "labels" on music at all. I feel that a mixture of religion, lifestyle, and all types of people coming together for one weekend to just rock is an amazing thing. Hats of to Chad for that!

Would you want to go on tour with secular bands in the future? POD has been playing Ozzfest -- would a tour like that interest you guys?
Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!

How do you feel about kids who really like your music but are non Christians?
Underoath is about friends and accepting people for whatever they are, wherever they are....so for us I think that who listens to our music does not matter as long as they know where we stand, our job is done......

Do you feel that bands who have names like God Dethroned and Rotting Christ and black metal in general should be banned? Why or why not?
Personally I do not, its called freedom of speech, and even though I do not particularly enjoy those names or whatever, respect is still the issue - you can't fight fire with fire?

Looking back on the other two albums you guys have recorded, what do you think of them today?
We were at different places in our lives and I think that those two records were a process of growing for us.

How did the tour with Zao go? Any weird happenings while out on the road?
Hahaha it was amazing!!!!!!!!! Too many to list!!!!!!!

Overall, what is the best and worst part of touring?
Best...do what you love. Worst... being away from your loved ones.

If there was one message you'd like someone to get out of hearing your music, what would it be?
Man, do what you feel. Don't be influenced by every new trend. Do what you are doing because of your own reasons, not everybody else's..... And to know that we are not here to force our beliefs on anyone at all but to show who we are and to accept and love people.

What can one expect from the next Underoath record and have you guys written any new songs for it?
An honest record - yeah, we have it almost half done

Any messages for fans or people who might be interested in checking out your music?
Umm.....check it out! ????

Many thanks to Aaron of Underoath for taking the time to answer my inquiries so quickly. Be sure to catch them live when they show up in your town, because these guys are all about unity and they can rock you into oblivion if you let them...