UNDERØATH's Spencer Chamberlain BY MARK DOLEJS UNDERØATH came to Greensboro to Hanger 1819 for a sold out, steamy hot show, full of th...
BY MARK DOLEJS
UNDERØATH came to Greensboro to Hanger 1819 for a sold out, steamy hot show, full of their loyal fans. It was part of their Van Tour to Vans Warped Tour. The house was packed with sweaty fans just waiting for this intimate show after a sweltering day.
Vocalist Spencer Chamberlain shared that this show was somewhat of a homecoming for him, as he grew up in Greensboro. He also mentioned that one of the last times they played Greensboro was at Ace’s Basement and Ziggy’s. Ace’s Basement was short lived, only open from 2003-2005, and located just down from the Greensboro Coliseum in the basement of a shady hotel.
Chamberlain started the show off explaining that part of their management did not want them to play the small venue. But, he explained, they wanted to do a show where the audience was up close and under their feet as they played. They wanted the audience to be a part of the show.
The audience was happy to help out and immediately rushed the stage and packed in tight for a big sweaty, screaming, moshing melding of the minds and bodies. I saw this coming, the two opening bands sort of got the crowd ready for the main event, but the main event was what everyone came for.
This is quite a different show than what UNDERØATH will be doing with the Warped Tour. The size of the crowd is drastically different, but the performance by the band has the same heart. Chamberlain whips the crowd into a frenzy and the fans reciprocate with crowd surfing, screaming into Chamberlain’s microphone, and dancing as one big mass of people.
The music is the same hard driving metalcore that I remember from listening to them back when they were on Solid State Records twenty-five years ago. UNDERØATH started out in 1997 and drummer Aaron Gillespie is the only original member. The sound is tight, and easily the loudest show I have been to this year. The band is rounded out with Grant Brandell on bass, Timothy McTague on guitar and Chris Dudley on keys and synth.
The music was nonstop with songs that included “All The Love Is Gone,” “Generation No Surrender,” and “Teeth,” all off their 2025 album The Place After This One. Some of their older songs were rocked as well, including “Down, Set, Go,” “Reinventing Your Exit,” and “Breathing In A New Mentality.”
This night was special for me, hearing some of the songs that I listened to so long ago, trading sweat shoulder to shoulder with other fans, and the harmony of being a part a group of people that were oblivious to the outside world while being encapsulated in front of a band that was just as appreciative as we were to be there together.
Initiate started the night off strong with Crystal Pak screaming lyrics and taking command of the stage. Her presence keeps you glued to her nonstop movement around the stage. Her demeanor is so quiet when she is not singing, that it takes you by surprise when the sound emits from her small frame. Watch for this band, they are quite good. They will also be playing the Vans Warped Tour in Washington, DC, this weekend.
Held. is a new band, and this was only their fifth show. They are an impressive power trio, loud, methodical and a joy to watch and listen to. Douglas Robinson on vocals and guitar along with Sal Mignano on bass are out front and keep your attention. Both were formerly in The Sleeping. Josh Eppard of Coheed and Cambria is the drummer, but he is currently out touring with Coheed and Cambria, so Clayton Holyoak is filling in. They just released their first album, Grey, last month.
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- MARK DOLEJS
Photography is an avenue that
Mark Dolejs uses to learn about the people and places that cross his path. After more than 30 years as a photojournalist, Mark enjoys concert, macro, and roadside photography. Follow Mark on Instagram at @solidrockpix.
Read Mark's posts here.
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