We all know that Sunset Strip rocks- but last night it was rocked literally when the House of Blues exploded with four insanely great rock bands- Underoath, Animals As Leaders, Thursday, and A Skylit Drive, all equal components in an audiomasochistic symphony of sound.

The bands were all great and the reverberation of noise left ringing in our ears was a little show souvenir that stayed with us the whole night through.  When the first three bands were done and the crowd was sufficiently pumped, the chanting was only getting louder and repeated mantra “Underoath” was heard throughout the venue.

Rewind back to 2 hours prior to them setting foot onstage and I was lucky enough to sit down with Underoath guitarist Tim McTague about their tour, their latest album, and what’s up next for the band!

LN:  Your video for “Paper Lung” is coming out in a little bit!  What was the main thought visually behind the vid?

TM:  We actually didn’t have any main thoughts for the video!  Our friend- or now our friend, the director Jodeb did the Deftones video for “the butcher” that we really liked and we just trusted him on it.  He was like “just trust me- it’ll be sweet” and we just started shooting it and did whatever he asked.  We’ve gotten some stills and stuff back and it’s turning out really cool!

LN:  I definitely checked out the ones posted on Underoath’s Facebook- and it does look damn cool!

LN:  I spoke with Davison last time (interview can be found here!) and he’s the most recent addition to the Underoath team- how’s the tour been going so far- I heard it was a pretty easy transition!

TM:  Yeah it’s all been great- everyone’s getting along, everything’s been going good- all in all it’s been great!  The worst part about it is the weather!

LN:  Not everywhere can be as awesome as So Cal in January, eh?

TM:  No!  Not at all!

 

LN:  So you’re a few shows into the tour – any fun stories?

TM:  Well, we’re just getting started- I can say that the best show so far has been Dallas!  Dallas was really, REALLY fun!

 

LN:  So you guys are officially on tour to promote your most recent album- Disambiguation- any plans to play that album or any other album in its entirety- like Thursday will be doing tonight?

TM:  We would like to- but not necessarily for a whole tour.  I’d like to do a couple of shows where we play the whole new record or maybe the last few records!  It’s just figuring out how to do it and when to do it!

LN:  What made Underoath & Thursday decide to do a 7 inch split?

TM:  We were just talking about it- we were like let’s do something cool for the tour!  We really wanted to have something to offer people who were coming to the shows aside from the norm.  I feel like touring in general has become less of an experience or an event- shows are everywhere!  So we wanted to do something else for people.  There were a few online and those sold out right away, and the rest can be found on tour!  You know when people see it, it’s like oh yeah- I was at THAT show!

 

LN:  Where do you go to find new music?

TM:  FRIENDS, always!  People tell me about bands- I haven’t really sought out music in a long time.

LN:  It tends to seek you out!

 

LN:  What emerging artists do you like right now?

TM:  I really don’t know!  I feel like “emerging” is such a bad word because people find out about a band and they’re like “emerging” but really they’ve been together for a few years already!  You know- Animals As Leaders!  They’re on our tour and they’re great!

 

LN:  Any pre-show vices or rituals- aside from interviewing of course!

TM:  STRETCHING!

LN:  Haha- you have to prepare for your onstage antics?

TM:  Even if we don’t- we’re getting old- gotta stretch these muscles out!

 

LN:  What’s up next for Underoath when the U.K. tour finishes up?  Heading back to the states to do more recording?

TM:  Well we’ll be finishing up in the UK and then we’ll be doing another U.S. tour over summer.

LN:  You know there ain’t no rest for the wicked!

 

LN:  Will you be hitting any U.K. fests?

TM:  We will actually!  I don’t know when, or which ones just yet- but we will!  Well- maybe not the U.K.- but we’ll be doing Groezrock in Belgium!

 

LN:  And if you do make it to the U.K. – first fest you’d be up for doing?

TM:  Reading and Leeds!

 

LN:  Say you weren’t doing this right now- where would you see yourself?

TM:  I’d probably be in music merchandising- I have a music merchandising company now!

LN:  That’s convenient- what’s it called?

TM:  Audible Diversion Group- we do stuff for Underoath, and Bless The Fall.

LN:  Closing remarks to friends and fans?

TM:  Just thanks for caring, coming, and listening!

Clearly Tim loves his fans because even with him falling slightly ill he went on stage and rocked it out- despite being sick!  The entire show went off without a hitch and the songs transitioned seamlessly throughout the night- as was evidenced by the animalistic artistry of the Underoath moshpit.  These guys will be on tour throughout the US- so make sure you catch them!  To find out when they’ll be in your city you can cyberstalk at www.myspace.com/underoath!