We're on the bus with Spencer Chamberlain and Chris Dudley of Underoath to discuss the 20-year legacy of They're Only Chasing Safety. We connect the Myspace era to today's waves, exploring their "wake up call" on why TikTok has become essential for artists and the emotions behind the music that still resonate.
"We have literally... been had a wake up call." Spencer Chamberlain of Underoath gets brutally honest about why the band can no longer ignore TikTok and social media.
What does "emo" even mean? We're live on the tour bus with Spencer Chamberlain and Chris Dudley of Underoath to figure it out. We dive deep into the 20th anniversary of their foundational album, They're Only Chasing Safety , and how its success paved the way for their entire career.
The band reflects on their early "hardcore band" roots , their complicated "Christian rock" label , and how old-school emo influences like Jimmy Eat World shaped their sound.
More importantly, we connect that history to the present day. Spencer and Chris share a major "wake up call" about the music industry , giving candid advice to new bands on why TikTok and social media are no longer optional , and why the era of "mystery in rock n roll" is over. This is a must-listen for anyone who grew up with the band and any new artist trying to navigate the modern scene.
Key Topics & Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Welcome Spencer & Chris of Underoath
[00:00:14] What is the most "emo" song you're listening to right now?
[00:02:56] The influence of bands like Jimmy Eat World
[00:05:05] Reflecting on 20 years of They're Only Chasing Safety
[00:05:55] How Chasing Safety enabled the band's future
[00:07:52] Thinking about new music: Getting in a room with "no electronics"
[00:09:00] The importance of "creative limits" in art
[00:11:24] How Underoath decides on a "sound" for a new record
[00:14:44] Does the "scene" (like Knocked Loose) influence their writing?
[00:16:00] "If you follow what's popular, you're always five years too late."
[00:22:13] Honest advice for new artists in 2025
[00:23:02] Chris: "Advice... based on our experience... is not valid anymore."
[00:24:52] Spencer: Why record labels require a TikTok presence now
[00:26:58] The "wake up call" that changed their view on social media
[00:27:28] "Mystery in Rock n Roll was sick... You can't."
[00:29:05] You don't have to be an artist or a content creator; you can be both
[00:31:45] Reflecting on the "Christian Rock" label
[00:34:03] The Flyleaf TikTok revival
[00:35:00] Upcoming tour dates (UK, Emo's Not Dead Cruise)
Guest/Band Links:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/31R61sOfP4C2D80NCSOund
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/underoathband/
Official Website: https://www.underoath777.com/
Tour Dates: https://www.underoath777.com/pages/tour
Episode Highlights:
"I look at it more as... the fact that people connected with that record so much made it to where we could do everything after."
"I am not going to be... we have a band coming on tour with us. The singer's got a million followers, can't sell 100 tickets... We can sell out every room in America. Why does it f***ing matter?"
"[Labels said] it has to be popular on TikTok first... We have literally... been had a wake up call."