Underoath are an American rock band founded in Ocala, Florida, in 1997 by singer Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton, and based in Tampa ever since. The line-up shifted constantly in the early years, then settled after Spencer Chamberlain replaced Taylor in 2003, survived a break-up and a reunion, and lost its longest-serving guitarist in 2023. Here is the complete list of Underoath members, with instruments and years.
Current Underoath Members
| Member | Instruments | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Gillespie | Drums, clean vocals, piano | 1997–2010, 2015–present |
| Christopher Dudley | Keyboards, samples, programming, percussion | 2000–2013, 2015–present |
| Timothy McTague | Lead guitar, rhythm guitar, backing vocals, percussion | 2001–2013, 2015–present |
| Grant Brandell | Bass | 2002–2013, 2015–present |
| Spencer Chamberlain | Lead vocals, additional guitar | 2003–2013, 2015–present |
Aaron Gillespie is the last remaining original member and has played on every Underoath release except Ø (Disambiguation) (2010). Dudley, McTague, Brandell and Chamberlain have all been in the band since the early 2000s, which makes the current five-piece the same line-up that recorded the gold-certified They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line, minus guitarist James Smith.
Former Underoath Members
| Member | Instruments | Years active |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Taylor | Lead vocals | 1997–2003 (guest 2024) |
| Corey Steger | Lead guitar (1999–2001), rhythm guitar (1997–2000), backing vocals | 1997–2001 (died 2021) |
| Luke Morton | Lead guitar | 1997–1999 |
| Rey Anasco | Bass | 1997–1998 |
| Octavio Fernandez | Bass (1998–2000), rhythm guitar (2000–2003) | 1998–2003 |
| Matthew Clark | Bass | 2000–2001 |
| Billy Nottke | Bass | 2001–2002 |
| Kelly Scott Nunn | Rhythm guitar | 2003 |
| James Smith | Rhythm guitar, percussion, backing vocals | 2003–2013, 2015–2023 |
| Daniel Davison | Drums, percussion | 2010–2013 |
Touring Members of Underoath
- Alena Cason – backing vocals (2000), on an early tour supporting Cries of the Past
- Matt Tarpey – lead vocals (2003), filling in after Dallas Taylor left in July 2003
- Kenny Bozich – drums (2007), covering for Gillespie on a world tour after a hand injury
- Tanner Wayne – drums (2009), covering for Gillespie on the Warped Tour
- Tyler Smith – lead vocals (2011), substituting for Chamberlain at one show when the frontman fell ill
How the Early Line-Up Kept Changing (1997–2003)
Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton started the band in Ocala in 1997. Drummer Aaron Gillespie was asked to join after Morton’s father heard him play at his church, and the group recruited guitarist Corey Steger and bassist Octavio Fernandez while all the members were still in high school. Underoath signed to Takehold Records in 1999, around the time Morton left. Bass was a revolving door: Rey Anasco, Fernandez, Matthew Clark and Billy Nottke all held the spot before Grant Brandell arrived in 2002, with Fernandez moving to rhythm guitar. Christopher Dudley joined on keyboards in 2000 and Timothy McTague on guitar in 2001. Taylor sang on Act of Depression, Cries of the Past and The Changing of Times before leaving in 2003.
Who Formed the Classic Line-Up (2003–2010)
Spencer Chamberlain replaced Taylor as lead vocalist in 2003, and James Smith took over rhythm guitar the same year after Kelly Scott Nunn’s brief stint. That six-piece of Chamberlain, Gillespie, McTague, Smith, Brandell and Dudley recorded They’re Only Chasing Safety and Define the Great Line, both certified gold by the RIAA, the latter peaking at number 2 on the Billboard 200, and then Lost in the Sound of Separation, which also reached the top ten.
Why Aaron Gillespie Left and the Band Broke Up (2010–2013)
After Lost in the Sound of Separation, Gillespie left the band and was replaced by former Norma Jean drummer Daniel Davison. Ø (Disambiguation) followed in 2010, with Chamberlain and McTague taking on more of the sung vocals in Gillespie’s absence. On October 2, 2012, Underoath announced they would disband in 2013, and they played their final show that January.
How the Reunion Line-Up Came Together (2015–present)
On August 17, 2015, the band announced they had reunited, with Gillespie back on drums and the classic six-piece restored. Erase Me arrived in 2018, their first album in eight years and first in ten with Gillespie, followed by Voyeurist on January 14, 2022. On March 28, 2023, guitarist James Smith was kicked out after a 20-year tenure, the band citing differences they were not able to work out, leaving the current five-piece that released The Place After This One in March 2025. Original singer Dallas Taylor made a guest appearance with the band in 2024.
Underoath Members FAQ
Who founded Underoath?
Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton, in Ocala, Florida, in 1997.
Who is the only original member still in Underoath?
Aaron Gillespie, who joined shortly after the band formed and returned with the 2015 reunion.
Who is the singer of Underoath?
Spencer Chamberlain, since 2003. Dallas Taylor sang on the first three albums.
Why is James Smith no longer in Underoath?
He was dismissed on March 28, 2023, after twenty years; the band cited differences they could not resolve.
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