Underoath – Daniel Davison

Underoath return to Australian shores this February to play alongside the likes of Limp Bizkit, Steel Panther, Cathedral and The Black Dahlia Murder at Australia’s fastest growing and prestigious music festival, Soundwave.

Metal Obsession’s Anwar Rizk had the pleasure to chat with drummer Daniel Davison, discussing the band’s upcoming tour and his thoughts on the music scene. 

Metal Obsession: I guess the most obvious question to ask first would be. Are you excited to be back in Australia for Soundwave?

Daniel Davison: Yeah, man. Definitely! The most important aspect of touring for me is to perform the best we possibly can for our fans and to put on a great show for the people that come see us.

MO: The Soundwave festival this year seems to be the most genre defining and diverse line ever.

DD: For sure! I’m really proud to be apart of such a festival. It looks like it will be the best festival I’ve ever been apart of. I cannot wait!

MO: Any particular bands that you aren’t familiar with on the line up that you may check out. Perhaps Turisas or Gojira?

DD: Definitely! The first band you mentioned, Turisas. I’m not to familiar with,  but I’ll definitely want to check them out.  I’m somewhat familiar with Gojira but have never seen them live, so this will be a great opportunity to see them both. Not only that, we’ll get to see a lot of nostalgic bands we haven’t seen in quite sometime. I’m really excited to see Bush. They were one of the first band’s I saw in concert when I was 12 years old. [laughs] This is going to be a great time for me, I’m sure.

MO: It’s definitely a nostalgic trip.

DD: Thats for sure. I can’t wait!

MO: You’ve been with Underoath for roughly two years now. How has it been working with the band during that period?

DD: Its been great. So much fun! I’ve been close with most of the guys in Underoath for roughly 10 years. Mainly from touring and when I was in my previous band. We use to tour with Underoath quite a bit going all the way back to probably 2003. It wasn’t very hard to get use to playing with the guys because I’ve known them for so long. It was really natural and real easy transition for everyone. The whole experience so far has been super cool.

MO: Did you encounter much hostility from fans when you initially joined Underoath?

DD: Umm. I definitely saw the random quotes here and there online or whatever, but as far as directly to me or any band interaction. Its been super positive.

MO: I’ve noticed a common transition throughout Underoath’s history. The first album was quite aggressive and every album since then I’ve noticed the sound has become more mellow. Is this something will continue to hear from Underoath in the future?

DD: Its kind of been up and down to be honest. When Underoath first started many years ago, it was originally classified as “heavy metal”. It was pretty much just metal, but over the last 3 or 4 years the band have shifted from that hardcore/screamo kind of style. They were kinda sitting there for awhile, but I’d say since 2005 its gone back to the heavier aspects that were present on the band’s first couple of albums..

For example, ‘Disambiguation’, which is actually my first album with the band. I personally believe its the heaviest Underoath album to date. But there is still a lot of melody there too. The pop aspect works well with the band’s darker tones.

It’s a tough label to put on our music because each record has been pretty different. I mean every band goes through different eras or whatever, but if I were to describe our sound to someone who never heard the band before. I’d say its heavy music with a lot of melody to it. But its always hard to put one label on anything the band do because each Underoath album is so unique.

MO: Would you classify Underoath still a part of the Hardcore movement?

DD: Most definitely. I think the band will always be apart of that movement because that’s where Underoath originally started in the beginning. I’m sure you are well aware that there is so many sub genres in metal. So its difficult to define one band with one label. However we’re most definitely under the umbrella of Hardcore to some degree.

‘Paper Lung’ is the debut single from Underoath’s 2010 release, ‘Ø (Disambiguation)‘.

MO: Underoath have always been labeled as a “Christian” band. Do you believe this pigeonholes the band to some degree?

DD: No, not necessarily. Thats never been a title we have ever pushed onto our fans. Its not our perspective as a band anymore. Because everyone in the band is in a different place and has their own beliefs; spiritually, religiously or otherwise. Thats never been a title we promote as a band, but I think the band have always been known for that title because that’s how it was for so long. That’s not something we are trying to push on everyone though.

MO: On a more personal level and if you feel comfortable answering. How would you define your beliefs?

DD: Well, I’m not a Christian…anymore. I was for quite sometime, but that’s not where I am anymore. I guess that’s how I would define my beliefs. I mean I don’t necessarily believe in any religious beliefs at the moment.

MO: Does this affect you in the band in any way?

DD: No, I don’t think so. It hasn’t really affected anyone because as I said before everyone is coming from a difference place. Some are very passionate about their beliefs compared to the rest of the guys in the band. While other members don’t really have a religious belief at all. Everyone has kind of evolved together and we are all adults. So its never really gotten in the way of the band playing music together and its progression.

MO: What changed your perspective on religion?

DD: Thats a very hard question to answer on its own in a short interview. I’d say it was through different life experiences and just thinking on certain things that I was being presented with in regards to religion. It brought me to where I am today. Like I said, its a very hard question to answer within a few short sentences. I mean it wasn’t quick. This was over a long period of time. Developing ideas and aspects about spirituality and religion.

MO: Would you agree that heavy metal is often seen as a refuge for someone seeking guidance in their life. Spiritual or otherwise?

DD: Yeah! Most definitely. I think that can be found in most genres of music. In general, most people seem to be attracted towards a certain style of music that makes them feel happy. I mean they search for a band or group that shares a common belief or message with them. That’s very important. Its very cool to use that within music, but not necessarily to preach or force anything onto anyone. Music a great way of sharing a story with the rest of the world.

MO: I’m sure you are well aware of the recent protest of SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act). What are your thoughts about it?

DD: As far as I’m concerned I don’t think its a big problem. I mean it is an issue, but so many people are taking it way to seriously and trying to shut down so many things for the sake of shutting them down. I don’t think it will go any further than it has from the amount of protest people have had over the issue in the last week or so. I think it would be a great shame if this SOPA deal went through. However, I don’t believe it will.

MO: It seems to be a common trend. People standing up for what they believe in. I mean you only have to look at the revolution in Egypt and the protests on Wall Street to see that people honestly want change in the world.

DD: Yeah, I know what you mean. I was quite excited when I saw people postponing these debates on SOPA. The response from so many people apposing it is definitely a victory for the people and is quite positive.

MO: Daniel, its been a pleasure. Any famous last words?

DD: Thanks for the interview. Its been great. I look forward to getting down to Australia to play Soundwave.

Underoath‘s latest hardcore offering, ‘Ø (Disambiguation)‘ is available now via Roadrunner Records Australia. – www.roadrunnerrecords.com.au

You can catch Underoath at Soundwave 2012. Dates and details below.

SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012
SATURDAY 25th Feb – BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!
SUNDAY 26th Feb – SYDNEY, OLYMPIC PARK – SOLD OUT!
FRIDAY 2nd March – MELBOURNE, SHOWGROUNDS – SOLD OUT!
SATURDAY 3rd March – ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK
MONDAY 5th March – PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS

For more info, head to: www.soundwavefestival.com – www.underoath777.com