I often wonder about the tipping point of bands. At what moment in any given successful band’s career — in conjunction with marketing, public relations, and relentless touring efforts — did they enter the forefront of public consciousness, and what caused it to happen? In other words, when does a band suddenly make it, and what straw broke the camel’s back in causing them to blow up? Underoath vocalist Spencer Chamberlain gives some insight.
“We were on Warped Tour [summer 2004]. We’d wake up every day at 7 in the morning to pass out flyers through the line. We’d pass one to every single person, even though half the people would look at it and throw it on the ground. The crowds just kept getting bigger and bigger.”
On this January evening on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood, Chamberlain and I have a candid conversation on Underoath’s tipping point, their album ø (Disambiguation), and the future of the music industry.
Look back to 2003 when bands like Dead Poetic, Beloved, and Zao were touring. How has the scene since developed and evolved?