Hardcore thrashers Underoath have always been putting out amazing albums and giving their fans shows to back up those albums. The band has been gaining popularity since the release of “They’re Only Chasing Safety” in 2004, but after they put out “Define The Great Line” in 2006, they gained a whole new group of heavier music lovers.
The band is releasing a DVD on July 17th entitled “
777”. They also will be hitting the road on Warped Tour for a few weeks, then headlining a tour this fall with Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, Poison The Well, and Every Time I Die supporting. Recently,
Dylan Newell got to speak with
James Smith, the band’s rhythm guitarist. They talked about the DVD, fall tour plans, a new album, the band’s unique music videos, and James’ guitar.
Ultimate-Guitar: First, I would like to talk about the new DVD the band is putting out entitled “777”. Why did you choose that title?
James Smith: Well, originally the idea came up that we would be able to put it out on July 7th, 2007. So, 777, which goes with our website, it’s something that is kind of old and always gone with the band. We thought it would tie in nicely with the release date of the DVD, so we thought it was a suitable title, but it didn’t quite work out.
What can fans expect from this new DVD?
It’s just a bunch of live footage of us hanging out and touring from the past year since the record came out. We’re just having fun and hanging out. It’s pretty much what it’s like to be around us on tour and at home and at other countries, and you can see what it’s like in other parts of the world. It’s pretty cool. It’s pretty entertaining I think.
The widely successful “Define The Great Line” has been out for a little more than a year. Is there plans for a follow up to it yet?
Ya, we’re starting to work on some new riffs, new song ideas, just starting to get that stuff together now. Over the next few months, we’ll start writing more and more. Hopefully by March or April, we’ll be able to hit the studios and get a new record going.
“Define The Great Line” was produced by Matt Goldman, Adam Dutkiewicz, and the band itself. Would you take the same approach with those producers in a follow up?
We’ve talked about going with Adam again. We’ll definitely be a part of the process as well. We’re not quite sure what we’re going to do yet, but we’re definitely interested in Adam.
Do you think that a follow up would be even closer to “Act Of Depression” and “Cries Of The Past”?
No.
The band’s music videos are usually very creative, as seen in the new video for “You’re Ever So Inviting”. Where does the band get the ideas for any of the music videos that have been done?
We really like this company, Popcore Films. They’re from Sweden. They just have a really good visual concept and just a good idea of what things should look like. Their picture is kind of like what we see accompanies our music. They come up with the basic ideas, and then we’ll throw some ideas back and forth and get the final product out.
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| "Hopefully by March or April, we'll be able to hit the studios and get a new record going." |
Does the band have any plans for another video for a song off of “Define The Great Line”?
Ya, we’re going to be releasing another video, hopefully sometime in the next few months, for “A Moment Suspended In Time”, which is track two on the record.
The band is widely known as a Christian band, which you aren’t afraid to show in anyway, but your music tends not to be viewed as Christian because of its heavier sound. Do you see that as a problem for people who only listen to Christian music?
No, I don’t think it should be a problem. I think if people like heavier stuff, they’ll enjoy our band. If they’re Christian, I think they should be able to like something regardless. I don’t think our music makes us any less Christian. It’s a matter of taste I guess.
The band is known to pray before every show, do other bands tend to ridicule you for it at all?
No, as long as you’re respectful, other people will be respectful towards you. We’re always sure not to be intrusive or get in anyone’s way. It’s not like we make everyone in the room stop and shut up. As long as we’re not disrespectful to others, we get the same respect back.
The band will be on Warped Tour from July 23rd to August 9th. Last year, the band took an earlier leave from Warped. Is this the reason at all for the shorter span of dates?
Ya, we wanted to make sure all of the kids that wanted to see us last year got a chance to come and see us this year. So, that’s why we are playing the last two weeks of Warped Tour this year.
Warped Tour tends to be a time when bands meet other bands. Are there any certain bands that you like to hang out with on Warped Tour or any tour?
We always get along real well with other bands. We haven’t really met anyone we really don’t like to hang out with. It’s always just a real fun time. I think we’re pretty easy dudes to get along with, so it always goes really well.
The band also participates in bible study on Warped Tour. Does this also happen on regular tours?
We try to make it happen as much as possible, some tours more than other tours. Being Christian is something we try to do with other Christians as much as possible. It’s always open, and anyone is welcome so we try to make it cool and a fun time for everyone that’s involved.
You will be touring with former-Underoath singer Dallas Taylor and his band Maylene and The Sons Of Disaster. Do you expect any guest vocals from him?
No, we were just on tour with them back in May. It’s kind of like that was the past and that was then and now is now. We don’t really play those songs from back when Dallas was in the band. So, there is none of that really happening.
You recently toured in Australia with Emery, how did it feel to visit a whole other country of fans?
It was awesome. We’ve been there before. It was cool to go back, and we had a good time over there. The shows are awesome. It’s just a lot of fun.
Your music has been featured in a few different video games, how much longer til we hear it in music based games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band?
I don’t know. That would be awesome to get that going, but so far we haven’t been able to. Hopefully in the future, that will work out.
As most people know, Aaron now has a solo project known as The Almost. Is there any plans for any other side projects?
Tim produces and records bands by himself and also has a project of his own, just to get some ideas out. Grant plays around and messes around with some stuff, but no one else is the band is in the place now where Aaron is at where they have a side project from Underoath.
You joined the band in 2003, about the same time that vocalist Spencer Chamberlain did. Was the transition into the band rough at all?
No, not at all. Actually, me and Grant went to high school together, and I had known Chris and Tim for quite some time, so it was actually a very easy transition.
You began playing guitar in 7th grade. How did you learn how to play?
Basically just through other friends that knew how to play. I would just go hang out with them. When I bought my first guitar, I got a month’s worth of guitar lessons, and I just hated them. I decided just to hang around with other dudes and try and pick up stuff from them, and it went from there.
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| "As long as you're respectful, other people will be respectful towards you." |
What is your current guitar setup for the band?
I’ve got a Les Paul Classic for main guitar. I also play through a Marshall Select C though an orange 4x12. And then I have a Fender Bassman through a Marshall 8x10.
Do you have any guitarist that really influenced you to play guitar?
Not guitar wise. At The Drive-In and Refused have always been two bands that I’ve liked what they’ve done their whole lives. We just kind of know what we like and what we don’t like, and we kind of work around that.
Do you have any current favorite guitarist?
I’m not a really a big guitar hero kind of dude. I’m more of a singer/songwriter dude, but my favorite singer/songwriter is Ryan Adams.
Do you have any favorite bands or albums you are listening to right now?
Ya, the new Ryan Adams, “Easy Tiger”, is freakin awesome. I love that, and then the new Poison The Well record I’m really enjoying as well.
What is your biggest hardcore musical influence?
I’d say Refused or At The Drive-In because they are two of the heaviest bands that I’m really into.
You are the only current Underoath member that has attended college. Do you believe that people should go to college or try and make music a full time job?
I think that it depends on the person. Honestly, if music is something you want to do, you should pursue it outright, and if school is something you want to do, you should pursue that outright. It’s whoever the person is. I don’t think that you have to go to college just to go to college, and that it’s just a big waste of money and time. I think that you should only be in college if that’s where you want to be, and I think you should be in a band if that’s where you want to be.
Do you have any regrets about quitting college?
No, not at all.
The line up of Underoath is always changing, having about 10 previous members before the current line up. Do you ever think that you may be out of the band in a few years?
No, I don’t think so. The line up hasn’t really changed much since I and Spencer have joined the band. It’s finally a line up where everyone is happy and where they need to be. It’s Underoath’s strongest line up over the years.
Do you have any other plans with Underoath or any other bands in the future?
We’re going out on a headliner in the fall, and the new DVD is coming out this summer. That’s about it for now.
Do you have any advice to guitar players?
Just have fun man. It’s something that is meant for you to enjoy, don’t take it too seriously.
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actually listening to Master of Puppets right now
UnderOath rocks