Underoath say decision to not be a Christian band was “one of the best things we ever did”

March 26, 2018

[Photo by: Nick Fancher]

Though Underoath explained previously that they are no longer a Christian band, Spencer Chamberlain has spoken out to explain more about the band's distancing their music from their faith.

“I think part of music and art is stirring the pot. One of the best things we ever did was when we agreed not to be a Christian band anymore, and when we made this record the [phrase] 'That’s not Underoath enough' was not allowed to be said because those two things fucking ruined our band in the first place,” Chamberlain told Revolver. “We couldn’t grow musically and we couldn’t grow individually and once we let that stuff go we became a healthy happy family that got along and were able create music again.

“I’ve been off drugs for over a year, and I know that was able to happen because we just let all those titles and restrictions go. That’s beautiful to me and if people are mad about that they can be mad all they want. I’m at a point in life where I can happy and healthy and they really want us to be a metal band and a Christian band again? I would be dead by now. I would be miserable—and overdosed on drugs—and there wouldn’t be an Underoath.”

Last month, a number of fans were taken aback by the band's use of “fuck” in the lyrics. (“I'm not your fucking prey”) Some of their faith-oriented fans were caught off guard, considering the band's Christian start. However, Chamberlain and Aaron Gillespie responded, saying that “certainly does NOT mean we are lost or in a worse spot than before. We’ve all grown…a lot.”

Erase Me is slated for release on Fearless Records April 6. It's currently available for preorder here.

The band will be embarking on a spring trek across the U.S., dubbed the “Nø Fix” tour. Dance Gavin Dance, Veil Of Maya and LIMBS will be supporting Underoath on this run, and tickets are available for purchase here.

Check out the full list of cities and dates below!

Dates:
04/20 – Las Vegas, NV @ Las Rageous
04/27 – Jacksonville, FL @ Welcome to Rockville
04/28 – Sunrise, FL @ Fort Rock
04/30 – Birmingham, AL @ Iron City
05/01 – Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre
05/03 – Knoxville, TN @ Mill and Mine
05/04 – Charlotte, NC @ Carolina Rebellion
05/05 – Lynchburg, VA @ Phase 2
05/06 – Bethlehem, PA @ The Sands
05/08 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
05/09 – Wallingford, CT @ The Dome at Oakdale
05/11 – Providence, RI @ Fete Ballroom
05/12 – Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids
05/14 – Des Moines, IA @ Wooly’s
05/15 – Sauget, IL @ Pop’s
05/16 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
05/18 – Columbus, OH @ Rock On The Range
05/19 – Lexington, KY @ Manchester Music Hall
05/20 – Springfield, MO @ Gillioz
05/22 – Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street Amphitheatre
05/23 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall
05/24 – Dallas, TX @ Bomb Factory
05/25 – Little Rock, AR @ Metroplex
05/26 – Pryor, OK @ Rocklahoma