EastScene

EastScene’s Shannah Lauren caught up with Chris Dudley from one of the most well-known hardcore bands since 1997, Underoath. A band that has accomplished several achievements, such as two grammy nominations and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard 200. Just finishing up their European U.K tour, curious to find out what’s in store next? Find out here!

You guys just finished your European tour, how have you guys liked this tour?

The tour went awesome! Kids were rad, shows ruled.

Have you toured Europe many times before? Where would you say has been the best show?

I think this was our 5th European tour, so in that many tours, we’ve had a LOT of memorable shows…it’s hard to narrow it down! (laughs) There was a festival we played in Belgium last year that was amazing.

Underoath is known for being one of the biggest bands that have come out of Florida, what your is your opinion about being a band from there?

Florida is just awesome. Sunshine, beaches, BBQ, what else could you want? (laughs)

Are you all still based from  there?

Yeah, we all still live here.

You started out in 1997, and have had been through a few different member line-ups counting the most recent Aaron Gillespie. What was the transition like?

Well most of the member changes were occurring while we were still in high school, so I think that’s just people growing up. It was always a change, but always for the better! Well, we are now in search for a new drummer, so we’ll let you know how that goes! (laughs)

Who influenced you the most growing up, music wise, to want to become a musician?

Lots of bands for me, personally. Guns n roses, Pantera, Credence Clearwater, the list goes on and on.

Your album, Lost in the Sound of Separation was released in Fall 2008. How do you feel about this album compared to the others?

It’s weird because every album we put out is my favorite one until we put another one out… (laughs). So it’s my favorite!

Being as it’s been two years since you’ve released your last  album and your fans are anxiously waiting, what’s the update or is there an update on an upcoming record?

We are working our butts off to finish these songs and will be hitting the studio ASAP!

You played Warped Tour 2009, after your previous troubles on Warped Tour, how was this tour compared to the  others?

The tour was great! I think we are feeling increasingly out of place there, but the shows and kids are amazing. Also, great hang times with other bands.

Underoath is publicly known for being a christian band, do you feel that this effects your fan-base at all?

I’m honestly not sure if it effects our fan base… Maybe! (laughs) I think for the most part, people like our band because they just like the music, whether they agree with what we believe or not. If people are able to connect to it on that level, that’s amazing, but if not, they can still rock out!

Underoath was  previously nominated for two Grammy’s in 2007 and 2010, how does it feel as a hardcore-band to accomplish something like that?

Its just weird… (laughs). We always think there’s gotta be a mistake!

Now being  2010, do you have any plans as a band as of tours and such?

Yeah, we are doing a tour this summer with As I Lay Dying, Between the Buried And Me, Cancer Bats, Architects, The Acacia Strain, and Bless The Fall. Should be fun!