| Biography
Underoath are a post-hardcore/metalcore band based in Tampa, Florida. Underoath formed in 1998 as a three-piece featuring vocalist Dallas Taylor, Guitarist Luke Morton, and drummer Scott Nunn. Soon after, Octavio Fernandez was added as a bassist and Corey Steger signed on to split the guitar duties with Luke. A young redhead by the name of Aaron Gillespie also replaced Scott Nunn on drums. The talent of the young band caught the eye of Alabamas Takehold Records, and they quickly inked a deal. It was then that Luke Morton decided to leave the band, making Underoath a quartet.
 In 1999, the band recorded their debut album Act of Depression. The album featured six songs (as well as a bonus track) and a brutal double bass kick throughout. They toured in support of the release and began to develop a strong and loyal fan base. Their first two releases, Act of Depression (1999) and Cries of the Past (2000), showcased the band's original sound. On these first albums, Underoath's sound was much different from its sound when it achieved wide popularity a few years later, partly due to the fact that there is only one original member still left in Underoath (Aaron Gillespie). He has been featured on all five Underoath recordings to date, but Scott Nunn had a short run on the drums with Underoath prior to the release of Act of Depression. Scott also had a short run on the guitar after Octavio Fernandez left the band and before James Smith joined years later. He can be seen in their music video "When the Sun Sleeps." The band members were mostly still in high school at that time, and more notably, the band's music leaned more toward grindcore and melodic death metal, with songs that averaged around eight minutes in length. Both albums are currently out of print. Shortly into the year 2000, minor changes in the lineup were made. A full-time keyboardist was added in Chris Dudley and Octavio Fernandez made the move to backup guitar to make way for Matthew Clark on bass. The six-piece began recording for an upcoming album. The epic Cries of the Past would follow. The album was produced by James Paul Wisner, who remains close to the band today. Despite having only five songs, it clocks in at over forty minutes. The sophomore featured blazing guitar work, top notch drumming and vocals, as well as far more of a death metal influence than Act of Depression leading them to their peak in underground popularity.
Although Underoath received rave reviews on their latest offering, lineup changes were made shortly afterward. Lead guitarist Corey Steger stepped down and was replaced by Timothy McTague; bassist Matthew Clark was also replaced by Billy Nottke. More changes would follow for Underoath in 2001. Takehold Records was bought out by Solid State / Tooth & Nail Records leading Underoath (as well as fellow bands Twothirtyeight and Few Left Standing) to sign with the label. Underoath continued furious touring, which led to their Solid State Records debut The Changing of Times. Released on February 26, 2002 the album produced one single, "When the Sun Sleeps." The loss and addition of different members led the album to adopt a different sound with shorter songs and more melodic/chorus-oriented song structures. Though the change in style caused some long-time fans of the band to criticize the album, The Changing of Times went on to easily outsell both of their previous albums combined. After months of successful touring, the strings that held underøath together began to unravel. Bassist Billy Nottke was kicked out soon after the record and Guitarist Octavio Fernandez left because of all the arguing and fighting within the band; In 2003, Dallas Taylor was kicked out Of Underoath, because the band didn't agree with him proposing to his now wife, so the band got Spencer Chamberlain to call Dallas up on the phone to tell Dallas he was done with Underoath.
Underoath has enjoyed commercial success in recent years behind the sales of their last two albums (2004's (They're Only Chasing Safety) and 2006's Define the Great Line) and touring on the Vans Warped Tour.
In 2007 they will begin a North American tour along side Taking Back Sunday and Armor For Sleep.
(Source: wikipedia, www.wikipedia.com)
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