Spencer Chamberlain
Encyclopedia
Spencer Chamberlain is an American musician, best known as lead vocalist for the metalcore
band Underoath
. Before fronting Underoath, Chamberlain was also the vocalist for the band This Runs Through
in which his brother, Phil Chamberlain, was the drummer.
, and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina
, with his mother, and older brother, Phil (also a musician as the drummer for now-defunct Sullivan
and current drummer for To Speak of Wolves). As a child, Chamberlain's family was well to do and had enough money to pay tuition at Greensboro Day School. Chamberlain's parents divorced when he was in elementary school at Greensboro Day School
. Chamberlain also struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. He tells Alternative Press, "You know how some people have a good family or a girlfriend that's always there for them and never fails? That was [what] drugs [were] for me. That was my weakness." He particularly had problems with a serious addiction
to cocaine
. Chamberlain soon went on to Page High School. Shortly after graduating high school, he moved to Florida. He continued to struggle, until his step brother, a pastor
, introduced him to Christianity
. Although Chamberlain hadn't grown up in a tightly knit Christian home and avoided religion most of his childhood, he claims it is half of what saved him, the other being music.
. They released a 5 song EP titled Until Forever Finds Me.
In late 2003, former lead vocalist of Underoath
, Dallas Taylor
(currently the vocalist for Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
), left the band. Later in October of that same year at the CMJ Fest, Chamberlain took the stage as the new lead vocalist. During the early months of 2004, the band recorded their first album with Chamberlain and their second record for Solid State Records
.
Chamberlain has released four albums with Underoath so far, They're Only Chasing Safety
(2004), Define the Great Line
(2006), Lost in the Sound of Separation
(2008), and Ø (Disambiguation)
(2010). When Define the Great Line
was released on June 20, 2006, it sold 98,004 copies within its first week and debuted on the Billboard 200
Chart at #2. Chamberlain blew out his voice recording "They're Only Chasing Safety
" because he was screaming "wrong." However in a 2011 interview with Blank TV, Chamberlain stated that he never blew out his voice. After They're Only Chasing Safety
, Chamberlain worked with Melissa Cross
to get it correct and add deeper screams into the mix. Chamberlain then noted that his vocals on Define The Great Line sound less like imitations of Dallas Taylor's vocals, and more similar to the vocals that he used in his previous band, This Runs Through. His evolved vocals came with the help of Melissa Cross
, who coached Chamberlain and refined his "growl". Alternative Press
noted, "his bellow [is] more carnal and guttural, [and] his high end more tuneful than whiny. Now when Chamberlain's relating those things that eat at the edges of his conscience and his soul, he has the kind of multi-faceted caterwaul to convey that despair." The article also comments on his songwriting, saying that it "reaches inward, confronting every ugly crevice of his being, often emerging from the clash furious and disoriented, but hopeful."
In 2010, Chamberlain made a guest appearance on the track "Quercus Alba" by To Speak of Wolves. The song is included on their debut album Myself < Letting Go. Chamberlain's brother, Phil is the drummer for the band.
With Underoath
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
band Underoath
Underoath
Underoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
. Before fronting Underoath, Chamberlain was also the vocalist for the band This Runs Through
This Runs Through
This Runs Through was an American metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded in April 2002, and only one month later begun touring throughout the east coast of America. They have to date only released one EP entitled Until Forever Finds Me which then followed to their disbandment in...
in which his brother, Phil Chamberlain, was the drummer.
Background
Spencer Chamberlain was born in Chapel Hill, North CarolinaChapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
, with his mother, and older brother, Phil (also a musician as the drummer for now-defunct Sullivan
Sullivan (band)
Sullivan was a rock band from Greensboro, North Carolina, USA.Sullivan was involved in To Write Love on Her Arms.-History:Sullivan came together as a trio in 2001. In 2002, they recorded and released "Count the Time in Quarter Tones'on Forsaken/Tribunal Records. The EP sold well and extensive...
and current drummer for To Speak of Wolves). As a child, Chamberlain's family was well to do and had enough money to pay tuition at Greensboro Day School. Chamberlain's parents divorced when he was in elementary school at Greensboro Day School
Greensboro Day School
Greensboro Day School is a private, non-sectarian school, K-12 located in Greensboro, North Carolina.-History:The school was established in 1970. The school enrolls students in transitional-kindergarten through twelfth grade and is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and...
. Chamberlain also struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. He tells Alternative Press, "You know how some people have a good family or a girlfriend that's always there for them and never fails? That was [what] drugs [were] for me. That was my weakness." He particularly had problems with a serious addiction
Substance dependence
The section about substance dependence in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders does not use the word addiction at all. It explains:...
to cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
. Chamberlain soon went on to Page High School. Shortly after graduating high school, he moved to Florida. He continued to struggle, until his step brother, a pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
, introduced him to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
. Although Chamberlain hadn't grown up in a tightly knit Christian home and avoided religion most of his childhood, he claims it is half of what saved him, the other being music.
Music
Before Chamberlain joined Underoath he was in a band based out of Greensboro, North Carolina called ,NINE DOWN &This Runs ThroughThis Runs Through
This Runs Through was an American metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded in April 2002, and only one month later begun touring throughout the east coast of America. They have to date only released one EP entitled Until Forever Finds Me which then followed to their disbandment in...
. They released a 5 song EP titled Until Forever Finds Me.
In late 2003, former lead vocalist of Underoath
Underoath
Underoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
, Dallas Taylor
Dallas Taylor (vocalist)
Dallas Taliaferro Taylor is an American musician who is the vocalist for the southern metal band Maylene and the Sons of Disaster. He is also known as the former vocalist and founder of the American metalcore band Underoath. He performed on three Underoath albums: Act of Depression, Cries of the...
(currently the vocalist for Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster
Maylene and the Sons of Disaster is an American, Southern metalcore band formed in 2004 in Birmingham, Alabama. In 2005, Maylene and the Sons of Disaster signed to Mono Vs Stereo and released their self-titled debut album...
), left the band. Later in October of that same year at the CMJ Fest, Chamberlain took the stage as the new lead vocalist. During the early months of 2004, the band recorded their first album with Chamberlain and their second record for Solid State Records
Solid State Records
Solid State Records is a Christian record label, a division of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore and metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, they have signed several bands that don't label themselves as Christian,...
.
Chamberlain has released four albums with Underoath so far, They're Only Chasing Safety
They're Only Chasing Safety
- Personnel :Underoath*Aaron Gillespie – drums, percussion, vocals*Spencer Chamberlain – lead vocals*Timothy McTague - lead guitar*Grant Brandell – bass guitar*James Smith - rhythm guitar*Christopher Dudley – keyboards, synthesizersAdditional musicians...
(2004), Define the Great Line
Define the Great Line
Define the Great Line is the fifth album by American metalcore band Underoath. The album was released in the United States on June 20, 2006 along with a limited edition version containing exclusive artwork and DVD. For the recording of this album Underoath's usual producer, James Paul Wisner, was...
(2006), Lost in the Sound of Separation
Lost in the Sound of Separation
Lost in the Sound of Separation is the sixth album by American metalcore band Underoath. The album was released on September 2, 2008. The album title is taken from a line of the lyrics of "We Are the Involuntary". In an interview with MTV News about the effort, the band stated it featured 11 songs...
(2008), and Ø (Disambiguation)
Ø (Disambiguation)
Ø is the seventh album by American metalcore band Underoath. Released on November 9, 2010 through Tooth & Nail Records, the album is the band's first without founding member Aaron Gillespie, the first with Daniel Davison, formerly of Norma Jean. As of this album, none of the members that appeared...
(2010). When Define the Great Line
Define the Great Line
Define the Great Line is the fifth album by American metalcore band Underoath. The album was released in the United States on June 20, 2006 along with a limited edition version containing exclusive artwork and DVD. For the recording of this album Underoath's usual producer, James Paul Wisner, was...
was released on June 20, 2006, it sold 98,004 copies within its first week and debuted on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
Chart at #2. Chamberlain blew out his voice recording "They're Only Chasing Safety
They're Only Chasing Safety
- Personnel :Underoath*Aaron Gillespie – drums, percussion, vocals*Spencer Chamberlain – lead vocals*Timothy McTague - lead guitar*Grant Brandell – bass guitar*James Smith - rhythm guitar*Christopher Dudley – keyboards, synthesizersAdditional musicians...
" because he was screaming "wrong." However in a 2011 interview with Blank TV, Chamberlain stated that he never blew out his voice. After They're Only Chasing Safety
They're Only Chasing Safety
- Personnel :Underoath*Aaron Gillespie – drums, percussion, vocals*Spencer Chamberlain – lead vocals*Timothy McTague - lead guitar*Grant Brandell – bass guitar*James Smith - rhythm guitar*Christopher Dudley – keyboards, synthesizersAdditional musicians...
, Chamberlain worked with Melissa Cross
Melissa Cross
Melissa Cross is a voice teacher from New York City. She was a student for many years at Interlochen Arts Academy and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England. Though her background lies in theater and traditional opera, she is the creator of The Zen of Screaming Instructional DVD, a DVD that...
to get it correct and add deeper screams into the mix. Chamberlain then noted that his vocals on Define The Great Line sound less like imitations of Dallas Taylor's vocals, and more similar to the vocals that he used in his previous band, This Runs Through. His evolved vocals came with the help of Melissa Cross
Melissa Cross
Melissa Cross is a voice teacher from New York City. She was a student for many years at Interlochen Arts Academy and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England. Though her background lies in theater and traditional opera, she is the creator of The Zen of Screaming Instructional DVD, a DVD that...
, who coached Chamberlain and refined his "growl". Alternative Press
Alternative Press (music magazine)
Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....
noted, "his bellow [is] more carnal and guttural, [and] his high end more tuneful than whiny. Now when Chamberlain's relating those things that eat at the edges of his conscience and his soul, he has the kind of multi-faceted caterwaul to convey that despair." The article also comments on his songwriting, saying that it "reaches inward, confronting every ugly crevice of his being, often emerging from the clash furious and disoriented, but hopeful."
In 2010, Chamberlain made a guest appearance on the track "Quercus Alba" by To Speak of Wolves. The song is included on their debut album Myself < Letting Go. Chamberlain's brother, Phil is the drummer for the band.
Discography
With This Runs ThroughThis Runs Through
This Runs Through was an American metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded in April 2002, and only one month later begun touring throughout the east coast of America. They have to date only released one EP entitled Until Forever Finds Me which then followed to their disbandment in...
- Until Forever Finds Me (EP) (2003)
With Underoath
Underoath
Underoath is an American Christian metalcore band from Tampa, Florida. Founded by Dallas Taylor and Luke Morton on November 30, 1997 in Ocala, Florida, subsequently its additional members were from Tampa, Florida...
- They're Only Chasing SafetyThey're Only Chasing Safety- Personnel :Underoath*Aaron Gillespie – drums, percussion, vocals*Spencer Chamberlain – lead vocals*Timothy McTague - lead guitar*Grant Brandell – bass guitar*James Smith - rhythm guitar*Christopher Dudley – keyboards, synthesizersAdditional musicians...
(2004) - Define the Great LineDefine the Great LineDefine the Great Line is the fifth album by American metalcore band Underoath. The album was released in the United States on June 20, 2006 along with a limited edition version containing exclusive artwork and DVD. For the recording of this album Underoath's usual producer, James Paul Wisner, was...
(2006) - Survive, KaleidoscopeSurvive, Kaleidoscope- DVD: "Live from The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA" :Lighting and Set Design: Jeff Verne. Sound recording: Andy Vickery# "Intro "# "Returning Empty Handed"# "In Regards to Myself"# "It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door"...
(2008) - Lost in the Sound of SeparationLost in the Sound of SeparationLost in the Sound of Separation is the sixth album by American metalcore band Underoath. The album was released on September 2, 2008. The album title is taken from a line of the lyrics of "We Are the Involuntary". In an interview with MTV News about the effort, the band stated it featured 11 songs...
(2008) - Live at Koko (2010)
- Ø (Disambiguation)Ø (Disambiguation)Ø is the seventh album by American metalcore band Underoath. Released on November 9, 2010 through Tooth & Nail Records, the album is the band's first without founding member Aaron Gillespie, the first with Daniel Davison, formerly of Norma Jean. As of this album, none of the members that appeared...
(2010)