Warped Tour veterans and Christian metal core extraordinaires, Underoath, is a big deal these days on The Warped Tour. It wasn’t always that way for them believe it or not. In the early part of the decade The Warped Tour started to shift gears a little bit from its largely punk rock beginnings. Not all fans, or bands for that matter, were enthusiastic about the heavier changes. Not only that, some were even more appalled that Warped Tour was featuring “Christian” bands like Underoath. Well several Warped Tours, Taste of Chaos Tours and even a Grammy nomination under their belt, it is hard to believe that they were once unknowns struggling to make it.

It has now been six years since Underoath played their first small stage on Warped Tour. I caught up with Chris Dudley (keys) at the San Antonio Warped Tour stop to chat about Warped Tour, Christian Metal and of course why we don’t see them in Austin too often. If you’re like me and live in Austin, that’s just not acceptable. Chris even gave us a little insight to what’s to come from Underoath after Warped Tour is over.

Let me start with a quick background question for those unfamiliar with Underoath. How did you guys first come together as a band?

Chris: It is a long story just because we had a lot of member changes when we first started. My drummer and I are the only original members. Long story short, we had mutual friends and people they knew kind of introducing us at shows back in Florida.

Very cool. So what has playing Warped Tour all these years done for Underoath?

Chris: We have been on a few of these (warped Tours). I don’t think we could overstate how much Warped Tour has done for our band. The first year we did it was back in 2003. We have done it pretty much every year since then. Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour founder) has always been really cool to us. He has put us on pretty much every tour that he does, Mayhem and everything. We owe a good majority of our careers to that dude.

Let’s talk about those earlier days for you in 2003 for second. I have been going to Warped Tour for at least thirteen or fourteen years myself. I saw the evolution and the changes Warped Tour has gone through over the years. In 2003, that is when I started noticing more metal core bands really making an impact on this traveling punk rock circus that is Warped Tour. What do you remember about that early part of the decade?

Chris: I remember in 2003 Poison the Well was on the main stage. After that, there you started to see more and more heavy bands. As it went on, Kill Switch Engage and Norma Jean eventually played Warped Tour. We weren’t on the tour last year because we did the Mayhem Tour. Now that we’re back on Warped this year, it seems like it is going back to not having as many heavy bands anymore.

So do you see a different response to you now in comparison to 2003?

Chris: In 2003, none knew who we were and we played in front of like, maybe two people a day. In that respect everything is different. No matter who is on the bill, we are still going to do what we do. As far as we go now, we do play in front of way more people.

Have you noticed a change in the fans since you first started playing Warped Tour?

Chris: Honestly, the kids have always been really cool and super stoked to see us play. Now there are more than ever. Fans come up to us now and say they saw us in 2003 and 2004, etc. It’s cool to know that they make it a point to come see us play when there are always so many great bands.

Speaking of fans, why don’t you guys play in front of your Austin fans very often?

Chris: Good question. I have no idea! Austin has some of the best venues and barbeque in the whole country. For some reason we just never play there. We always want to play there but it just never happens. We love Austin.

So what were the few occasions you played in Austin? South By Southwest and what else?

Chris: We played SXSW once and two direct support shows at Stubb’s. One time we opened for Coheed and Cambria and the other time we opened for Thrice. We played Emo’s once, years and years ago.

For some reason, and this is a discussion for another day, hard core bands like you guys just don’t come to Austin regularly. Hard core fans in Austin usually have to drive north to Belton or south to San Antonio.

Chris: Well, just know that we’d love to come through Austin regularly. Aren’t The Sword doing pretty good right now? They’re from Austin.

Yes, you are correct. I am hoping that will get the wheels in motion for a larger Austin hardcore scene. Addressing the hard core scene, what is the deal with all these great hard core Christian bands like As I Lay Dying, Fly Leaf and Devil Wears Prada emerging? What is it about Christianity that makes such great metal all of a sudden?

Chris: I honestly think it is Christian artists getting tired of other Christian artists getting tired of four chord, cheesy worship music. There is that stigma when it comes to the words “Christian music”. I wouldn’t say it is unfounded, because before I knew about heavy Christian music that is what I thought Christian music was. The only Christian music you ever heard about was cheesy. I think it has a place because there is a lot of people that like that stuff, but not me.

Yeah, what used to come to mind for me was Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Creed, stuff like that.

Chris: Right on. Now you also have bands like Me Without You who are completely pushing every boundary, and they are very openly Christian. Before if people heard someone was a Christian band, they probably wouldn’t have given them a chance because it probably wasn’t good. Now, these bands at least get heard and maybe a second chance.

I have noticed too that the messages have toned down. This new Christian metal isn’t so preachy, which I think would be really off putting to a lot of people.

Chris: I think t depends on who you talk to. Everyone has their own way of sharing their faith, whether you’re in a band or not. Even though we only play like a half hour set on Warped, we definitely let people know what we are about. If you follow that path, then that’s awesome. If you don’t, we can still hang out and talk about music, movies, or whatever else. We can get a drink or just hangout. I think that’ the most important thing, showing people that if they don’t believe what you do that you can still be friends.

Tell me about your latest album, Lost In The Sound of Separation. Why should fans or new listeners pick this album up versus some of your previous records?

Chris: Because this album is better.

Why is it better?

Chris: Well, it is different strokes for different folks I guess. The only thing I can say is that when we all talk amongst each other, we think it is the best album we have ever done. It is the most creative we have ever been. I know at the end of the day, it is about what fans think of it all. I know some of our older fans may prefer our other albums, which is cool too.

So it is the best Underoath record town in your opinion?

Chris: In my opinion, yes.

Reason I ask is because for some reason, hard core metal fans always seem to favor a band’s early releases over their new stuff.

Chris: I know what you mean. Even I think there are bands that have done their best work with their new stuff, but I some were way better early on in their career. It’s all personal taste.

So where do you fall in the Metallica argument? I will go on record by saying that I love everything they put out, but much prefer everything before the Black Album.

Chris: I can’t say, but there are people who think St. Anger is the best thing ever written. Different strokes man.

What’s coming up for Underoath after Warped Tour is over?

Chris: We are actually taking three months off. Two of our band members are having children. We want to give them time to be at home. We are doing a ton of international touring in 2010. I don’t know how much we are going to be in the U.S. next year, but we are definitely going to be busy.

How about a new album? What can you tell me about that if anything?

Chris: It is being worked on. We will record it probably sometime around next summer. In order for us to agree with one riff, it takes a lot. We aren’t a band where if we write something, and five dudes like it and one doesn’t, we won’t keep it. We want everyone to be stoked about every detail of the song. It usually takes us about two years or so.

I’m sure everyone is looking forward to that. Anything else you’d like to share with our readers before we part?

Chris: Yeah we want to come to Austin as soon as possible. We haven’t played there in long time but we want to play there ASAP. Thanks so much for your support.

 

Check out this video for "Too Bright To See, To Loud To Hear" from Underoath’s latest album, Lost In The Sound Of Separation:

Underoath – Too Bright To See Too Loud To Hear