Screamo, Emo, post-hardcore, metal-core, christian-rock. Label them what you will but Underoath just plain slay, pure and simple.
After various line-up changes (you can spot original vocalist Dallas Taylor in dirty southern rockers Maylene and the Sons of Disaster) the boys from Florida really made a name for themselves with the release of ‘They’re only Chasing Safety‘ in 2004. An album full of passion and a more melodic approach to previous releases, it spawned the catchy, anthemic single ‘Reinventing Your Exit‘, helping launch the band to a wider audience – If you don’t know it the line ‘Up against the wall, up against the wall‘ might ring some bells.
The band really stepped up a gear with the release of the heavier and downright epic ‘Define the Great Line‘ in 2006 and have gone from strength to strength since with a live show so intense it will literally take your face off.
Another excellent release in the shape of latest album ‘Lost in the Sound of Separation‘ released at the back end of last year has continued the ‘oath juggernaught that keeps on rolling and they just satisfied their UK fanbase with a duo of simply stunning live sets at Give It A Name in Manchester and London this week. New single ‘Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear‘ was released this week.
Tommy P caught up with keyboardist Chris Dudley just before they headed to Europe to find out how things are going in the Underoath camp:
You released ‘Lost In The Sound of Separation‘ towards the end of last year. 6 months on are you happy with how the record has been received both here in the UK and in the US?
Honestly, we couldn’t be more happy. The songs have been going over awesome live, which we believe is the best judge of how an album is received, so we are super stoked!
Did you take a different approach to recording the latest record?
Yeah, we did. As a whole, we focused on trying to give the record more of a loose, live feel than the previous record. We made an effort to edit as little as possible to just keep that feel to it. Plus working with Adam (Dutkiewicz) just makes it a really laid-back environment, which is a big deal for us.
You recently toured South America for the first time. Do you enjoy taking your music to new places and how did the crowds differ from the US and Europe?
Oh yeah, that tour was AMAZING. It was really an opportunity of a lifetime and we hope to go back soon. The crowds there are honestly crazy. Much more so than in the US and Europe. There were kids like banging on our bus, breaking through security, hanging on the bus when we were leaving and all kinds of crazy stuff. It was insane!
Speaking of Europe you just played some dates over here. Do you look forward to hitting European shores when you’re scheduled to come over?
Absolutely! The last time we were over there at the end of last year were the best shows we have ever played there, so we are always really excited to see how these shows do!
So you guys have a new single out. What made you decide on ‘Too Bright To See, Too Loud To Hear’?
We honestly just thought that was one of the best songs on the record, and we love playing it live. We have also heard a lot of people say it was their favorite song on the record as well, so that just made it an easy decision on our part.
And we understand there was a competition for the people of the UK to get involved in the video for the single?
Yeah, what we did is to have people film their own videos for the song, and the person who made the video that we think is the best got to come hang out with us at Give It A Name. We figured since kids always shoot videos on their own anyway, we would really see what they could do!
You are heading back on the Warped tour this summer. After having to pull out of some dates in 2006, do you still look forward to playing Warped and its grueling 2 month schedule?
Warped is honestly one of the best tours ever. We couldn’t be looking forward to it more. It is hot, sweaty and long, but we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Are there any new bands you guys are digging recently that we should be checking out over here in the UK?
Innerpartysystem is just mind blowing. We just did a tour in Australia with them, and then went to Canada with them, then we had Give it A Name with them to. You guys should try to catch them when you can for sure. (Editor’s note – we can corroborate that Innerpartysystem were indeed mind-blowing at GIAN)
And finally, after the Warped Tour what are your plans for the rest of the year? Any plans for future recording?
I really don’t know what’s going on after Warped. I know we are going to continue to work on new music, but other than that, it’s all up in the air as of now!
Lost in the Sound of Separation is out now on Virgin Records. Click below to watch a tour video of the band in Switzerland, Belguim and England last week. Fresh off the block.