Band of the Week

Underoath. For sure.
My absolute favorite band, Underoath combines screamo with Aaron Gillespie's clean, beautiful face. Whoops, I'm sorry. I meant to say vocals. My bad. I've had the extreme privilege of seeing them live (but only once), and it was the most brutal, incredible, out of this world show of my entire life. Now for the technical stuff. When Underoath formed in 1998, Dallas Taylor was the lead "vocalist." Their music (as seen on "Act of Depression," "Cries of the Past," and "The Changing of Times) was basically just people screaming their lungs out over top of some random blips and bleeps and electronica. Taylor left the band in 2003, and was replaced by Spencer Chamberlain. Somewhere in there, they began mixing Aaron's vocals in with the screaming, creating a cleaner, more enjoyable sound. (My opinion.)

Their lyrics have been the subject of many of my vague blog titles and facebook status updates. "It's all in the way, I say what I don't mean, and mean what I don't." (The Created Void/Lost in the Sound of Separation) "I never told you/but it's all in your goodbyes." (A Boy Brushed Red, Living in Black and White) "Hey unfaithful I will teach you/To be stronger, to be stronger/Hey ungraceful I will teach you/To forgive one another." (Some Will Seek Forgiveness, Others Escape.)

Band Members:
Spencer Chamberlain: Lead vocals, long hair that gets really sweaty and flings all over at shows
Aaron Gillespie: Drums, vocals, gorgeous face. (Whoops. How did that get in there again?) Also the only member of the ORIGINAL Underoath that is still in the band.
Chris Dudley: The sweet guy that plays the keyboard and synth and headbangs
Grand Brandell: Bass. Which is a very important instrument
Tim McTague: Lead Guitar. And AMAZING NAME. And cool beard
James Smith: Rhythm Guitar. And also apparently rather good looking.Note: If you live in southern California, and your name rhymes with "Zennette Haynard," you will probably NOT enjoy this band.