Aaron Gillespie

Last updated

Aaron Gillespie
Underoath - 2019159150326 2019-06-08 Rock am Ring - 0310 - B70I9440.jpg
Gillespie at Rock am Ring 2019
Background information
Birth nameAaron Roderick Gillespie
Born (1983-07-18) July 18, 1983 (age 41)
Clearwater, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • singer
Instruments
  • Drums
  • vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active1997–present
Labels
Member of
Website aarongillespie.com

Aaron Roderick Gillespie (born July 18, 1983) is an American musician, best known for being the original and current drummer and clean vocalist for the rock band Underoath [1] and the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the alternative rock band the Almost. [2] He has also worked with the band The Dangerous Summer. [3] Gillespie also maintains his own solo project and released his debut full-length album, Anthem Song, in 2011. [4] From 2013 to 2016, he was the touring drummer for Paramore. [5]

Contents

Background

Aaron Roderick Gillespie was born on July 18, 1983, in Clearwater, Florida. Ever since he was born, he has been nearly blind in his left eye. [6] He grew up in a devout Christian family, attended private schools, and went to church regularly. [7] Gillespie's parents divorced when he was 18. [7]

At age 14, Gillespie worked at the church and vacuumed for $60 a week. He enjoyed playing the drums at church, but was told that he did not play well and that he played too loud. [7] However, one of the leaders in the church came up to him and said that he believed Gillespie would "travel the whole world playing drums". [8] At this time, he received a call from Underoath asking him to play drums for them. [9]

In 2008 he achieved the HM magazine's Readers Award for "favorite drummer", along with his bandmate Timothy McTague who received "favorite guitarist" of 2008. [10] He was one of the preaching pastors at Unveiled Church based in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.

Aaron and his former wife ran a clothing label, Pig Cloth. [11]

Gillespie left Underoath after a European tour in 2010 [6] but later rejoined the band. [12]

Gillespie did guest vocals on the song "All About Us" by indie pop band He Is We, which was released on the album "My Forever" on November 23, 2010. [13]

Gillespie has discussed his issues with hypochondria and generalized anxiety disorder, stating that they played into his departure from Underoath. [14]

Musical career

Underoath

Gillespie performing as a part of Underoath during their 2007 winter tour AaronGillespieUnderoath.jpg
Gillespie performing as a part of Underoath during their 2007 winter tour

Gillespie had performed on every Underoath release before Ø (Disambiguation) and first began to add clean vocals on Underoath's third album The Changing of Times , which shifted Underoath's original extreme metal music style into a more straightforward metalcore sound and was released in 2002. After lead vocalist Dallas Taylor parted with the band, Spencer Chamberlain joined and the band began to change its style of music even more.

Most of the lyrics on the album They're Only Chasing Safety are written by Gillespie and are about him ending a four-year relationship. He stated to Alternative Press "I think I would've died if we didn't write those songs. I thought I had ruined someone's life. It's hard to explain, but you can't just pretend that things are great and go on and get married." The follow-up to They're Only Chasing Safety, Define the Great Line was released on June 20, 2006, it debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 selling over 98,000 copies in its first week, the record was certified Gold by the RIAA on November 11, 2006, representing 500,000 shipped units of the album. [15]

Gillespie performing in Australia in 2010 Aaron gillespie australia 2010.jpg
Gillespie performing in Australia in 2010

On April 5, 2010, Underoath announced that the band and Gillespie had agreed to mutually part ways pending the end of their European tour. [16] On the same day, Gillespie posted a message on his personal blog. [17] On August 17, 2015, in an interview article for Alternative Press , Chamberlain and Gillespie confirmed that the band was reuniting. [18]

The Almost

Gillespie performing with the Almost in Sydney's "Big Exo Day" 2011 'The Almost' Performing at 'The Big Exo Day 2011'.jpg
Gillespie performing with the Almost in Sydney's "Big Exo Day" 2011

Gillespie performed lead vocals for the alternative rock band the Almost. The band's debut album Southern Weather was released on April 3, 2007, along with their first single, "Say This Sooner". The single reached a peak of No. 7 on the Billboard's US Modern Rock Charts. Gillespie recorded every instrument on the Southern Weather album except for bass on a couple of tracks, with which Kenny Vasoli from The Starting Line helped.

On November 24, 2008, the Almost released an EP, No Gift to Bring.

On October 6, 2009, they released another EP, Monster EP. On November 3, 2009, they released their second album, Monster Monster , in which the rest of the bandmates were more incorporated in the writing and recording processes.

On June 11, 2013, the band released their third full-length album, Fear Inside Our Bones. [19]

In an interview released on February 8, 2015, on Emery's BadChristian podcast, Gillespie stated that he had placed lower priority on the band, citing his "busy schedule" (as Paramore's touring drummer, a solo artist and producer) and the "busy schedules" of the other band members. [20]

On September 24, 2019, they announced a fourth full-length album, Fear Caller, to be released on October 18, 2019,[ citation needed ] then released, "Chokehold", with an accompanying music video as part of the announcement.[ citation needed ]

Solo work

Shortly after leaving Underoath, Gillespie announced that he was working on a worship-based solo project. He went to The Compound recording studio in Seattle on June 28, 2010, to record the album that would eventually be released in March 2011. On his Twitter account on July 24, he posted "Finished my record. So great to be a part of it. Goodnight." Gillespie's solo album Anthem Song was released on March 8, 2011. [21] It debuted at number 90 on the Billboard 200.

"Anthem Song" was Gillespie's revisit to his musical beginning, which began in worship. In an interview with CBN.com, Gillespie recounted the experience and how a trip to Africa helped shape Anthem Song. He stated "I saw people worshiping God because He exists, because that's what we were created to do. I believe everybody worships something, whether it be your job or your family or a relationship or whatever. We were all made to worship just one, and that's Jesus. And it really, really messed me up, seeing these African people who have nothing worshiping God, just because He exists. It gave me the fuel to go and do this record and also convicted me to leave Underoath and to pursue this ministry area in my life." [4]

On February 3, 2015, he released his second worship album, Grace Through the Wandering.[ citation needed ] The record was made on the road while touring with Paramore and was produced by Paramore's touring key player, John.

In 2016, Gillespie released the self-produced Out of the Badlands. Gillespie and his studio partner, Andrew Goldring, made the record at Gillespie's Salt Lake City studio, Soundcave. Goldring engineered, mixed and performed on the record. The album is a departure from his former worship record and instead focuses on his personal grieving and honesty. [22]

Paramore

On August 26, 2013, Gillespie was officially announced as the new touring drummer for Paramore, after their previous touring drummer, Miles McPherson, suffered from an injury. [5] He was to remain only for their duration of The Self-Titled Tour's European dates, but later remained for the duration of their North American fall tour of that year, as well as the Australian and New Zealand legs of the tour. [23] [24] [25] Gillespie has stayed in the Paramore touring line-up for the next few years, playing drums on the Monumentour (Paramore's co-headlining tour with the band Fall Out Boy in 2014) and the Writing the Future Tour (in 2015), along with two of the band's "Parahoy!" Cruises — the first one (in March 2014) and the second one (in March 2016). However, in February 2016, Gillespie clarified that his role in Paramore doesn't extend beyond live performances and that he isn't involved in the songwriting/recording process with the band. With the reinstatement of Paramore's original drummer and with the reunion of Underoath, Gillespie is now back with Underoath full-time.

Producer

Aaron Gillespie operated as a producer out of Soundcave Studios from 2015 to 2017. [26] Alongside singer-songwriter, producer, and engineer Andrew Goldring, Gillespie worked on productions, most notably, Gillespie's solo record, "Out of the Badlands". Goldring also engineered, mixed and performed various instruments on the record.

Other examples of Gillespie's producer credits include Collington's, We Swim in Seas that Never Rest. [27] Gillespie produced the record, played drums and did other various session work with Goldring and Collington. The album was debuted by Relevant Magazine on their series "The Drop". Gillespie and Collington crossed paths when Collington was opening for Aaron Gillespie in Boston. Taking a liking to Collington's music, Gillespie invited Collington to Salt Lake City to create a record. [28] Collington originally laughed at the offer thinking it was a joke. [29]

FM419

Gillespie worked and toured with the Billy Graham Association's FM419; an event that helps train students to share their faith. The event is a prelude to a much larger event, held a few months later where students can practice what they learned by leading others to Christ. Gillespie performed each day at the beginning and end of the conference.[ citation needed ]

Emergency surgery

While on tour with Underoath in 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Gillespie underwent emergency surgery due to an infected thumb. Instead of canceling shows, Underoath recruited Kenny Bozich, former drummer of The Almost, to fill in on drums. Spencer Chamberlain and Timothy McTague shared duties in singing his vocal parts. [30]

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Underoath</span> American rock band from Florida

Underoath is an American rock band from Tampa, Florida. It was founded by lead vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Luke Morton in 1997 in Ocala, Florida; subsequently, its additional members were from Tampa, including drummer, clean vocalist and last remaining original member Aaron Gillespie. The band's current lineup consists of Gillespie, keyboardist Christopher Dudley, lead guitarist Timothy McTague, bassist Grant Brandell, and lead vocalist Spencer Chamberlain. Originally, the band identified as a Christian group; they have since distanced themselves from Christianity.

<i>The Changing of Times</i> 2002 studio album by Underoath

The Changing of Times is the third studio album by American rock band Underoath. The album was released on February 26, 2002, through Solid State Records. It is the first album to include guitarist Timothy McTague and bassist William Nottke, the latter leaving the band afterwards along with vocalist Dallas Taylor and guitarist Octavio Fernandez. The album is the best-selling Solid State debut.

<i>Act of Depression</i> 1999 studio album by Underoath

Act of Depression is the debut studio album by American rock band Underoath. Released July 4, 1999, through Takehold Records, the album was out of print for some time as there were only 2,000 copies originally released. Solid State reissued this album alongside Cries of the Past on August 20, 2013.

<i>Cries of the Past</i> 2000 studio album by Underoath

Cries of the Past is the second studio album by American rock band Underoath, released on July 4, 2000, through Takehold Records. Only 3,000 copies of the album were pressed and, like Act of Depression, it was out of print for years. The album is the last to feature guitarist Corey Steger and the first to include keyboardist Christopher Dudley. Alongside their debut album, this album was reissued through Solid State Records on August 20, 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Almost</span> American band

The Almost is an American rock band from Clearwater, Florida, fronted by Underoath drummer and vocalist Aaron Gillespie. Formed in 2005 as a solo project by Gillespie, the band currently includes guitarist Jay Vilardi, bassist Jon Thompson, and drummer JJ Revell. They released three albums via Tooth & Nail Records: their debut Southern Weather (2007), Monster Monster (2009), and Fear Inside Our Bones (2013). Following a hiatus in 2015, Gillespie revived the project and released a fourth album, Fear Caller, in 2019 through Fearless Records.

<i>Define the Great Line</i> 2006 studio album by Underoath

Define the Great Line is the fifth studio album by American rock band Underoath. It was released on June 20, 2006, through Tooth & Nail Records. Five months after the release of their fourth studio album They're Only Chasing Safety, the band were already in the process of working towards its follow-up. Recording took place between January and March 2006 at Zing Recording Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts, and Glow in the Dark Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, with Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage, Matt Goldman and the band as producers. Define the Great Line is predominantly a metalcore and emo album, which has also been tagged as post-metal and post-hardcore. The variety of styles was an unintentional move by the band, who took influence from At the Drive-In, Beloved and Cult of Luna, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ilan Rubin</span> American musician (born 1988)

Ilan Rubin is an American musician, producer, songwriter, composer, and artist. He is known primarily for playing drums with bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Paramore, Lostprophets, Angels & Airwaves and Danny Elfman In 2008, he formed The New Regime, where he sings and plays all instruments in the studio and plays guitar with a band for live performances. In 2021, Ilan released music for the first time under his name. His debut single "Talk Talk Talk" was remixed by Phantogram.

<i>Southern Weather</i> 2007 studio album by the Almost

Southern Weather is the debut album by Underoath drummer Aaron Gillespie's solo-project, the Almost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zac Farro</span> American drummer

Zachary Wayne Farro is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the rock band Paramore. He is the younger brother of Josh Farro, who was Paramore's former lead guitarist and backing vocalist. After he and his brother exited Paramore in 2010, Josh formed a band named Novel American, which Zac was also a part of. Farro is currently the sole member of the band HalfNoise. Farro rejoined Paramore in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusty Redmon</span> American guitarist (born 1982)

Dustin Wesley "Dusty" Redmon is an American guitarist primarily known for playing in alternative rock band The Almost and former guitarist and songwriter for Beloved and Dead Poetic. He is cousins with his former bandmate, Joe Musten.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Davison</span> American drummer

Daniel Travis Davison is an American musician, songwriter, artist, and filmmaker. He is also a co-founder and former drummer of the band Norma Jean and a former drummer of Underoath and Every Time I Die.

<i>Lost in the Sound of Separation</i> 2008 studio album by Underoath

Lost in the Sound of Separation is the sixth studio album by American rock band Underoath. It was released on September 2, 2008, through Solid State and Tooth & Nail Records. Following the release of their fifth studio album Define the Great Line (2006), relationships between members became strained to the point they almost broke up. They decided to go on a hiatus; Lost in the Sound of Separation was recorded at Glow in the Dark Studios in Atlanta, Georgia in March and April 2008. The band produced the album with Adam Dutkiewicz and Matt Goldman, both of whom worked on Define the Great Line. The album has been described as metalcore, post-hardcore and screamo, with elements of industrial, recalling the works of Refused, At the Drive-In, and Cult of Luna.

<i>Forget and Not Slow Down</i> 2009 studio album by Relient K

Forget and Not Slow Down is the sixth studio album by American rock band Relient K, released on October 6, 2009. It is the band's first album to feature Ethan Luck on drums, replacing longtime drummer Dave Douglas. The album is also the first Relient K album with Mono Vs Stereo and their first on Jive Records. The album was produced by Mark Lee Townsend and mixed by Andy Wallace.

<i>Monster Monster</i> 2009 studio album by The Almost

Monster Monster is the second album by American rock band The Almost, released on November 3, 2009.

<i>Ø (Disambiguation)</i> 2010 studio album by Underoath

Ø (Disambiguation) is the seventh studio album by American rock band Underoath. Released on November 9, 2010, through Tooth & Nail Records, the album was the band's only without founding member Aaron Gillespie, and is the first and only record by the band with Daniel Davison, formerly of Norma Jean. It was also their final album before a two-year breakup from 2013 to 2015. They would not release another studio album until 2018's Erase Me. Ø (Disambiguation) was met with acclaim and was recorded at Glow in the Dark Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, the same studio where the band's previous album, Lost in the Sound of Separation was recorded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanner Wayne</span> American drummer (born 1988)

Andrew Tanner Wayne is an American drummer, best known for his participation in Underminded, Scary Kids Scaring Kids, and Chiodos. He has also filled in on drums for Underoath. He is currently the drummer for Swedish Melodic death metal band In Flames.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonight Alive</span> Australian rock band

Tonight Alive are an Australian rock band from Sydney. As of 2023, the band consists of lead vocalist Jenna McDougall, guitarists Jake Hardy and Whakaio Taahi, bassist Cameron Adler, and drummer Matty Best.

<i>Erase Me</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Underoath

Erase Me is the eighth studio album by American rock band Underoath. It is their first album in eight years following Ø (Disambiguation) (2010), marking the longest gap between two studio albums in the band's career, and their first one with founding drummer and clean vocalist Aaron Gillespie since Lost in the Sound of Separation (2008). It was recorded in mid-2017 with Matt Squire and mixed by Ken Andrews. The album was released via Fearless Records on April 6, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collington (band)</span> American Christian indie rock band

Collington is an indie rock, Christian rock, and worship band fronted by American singer-songwriter James Collington. The style of Collington ranges from more acoustic tracks to full out rock production, including alt rock, indie rock Christian rock, and worship. The band has released one full-length album We Swim In Seas That Never Rest (2016), and an EP In Between (2018) and various singles

References

  1. Downey, Ryan J. "Biography: Underoath". AllMusic . Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  2. Mason, Stewart. "Biography: The Almost". AllMusic . Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  3. Hansen, Mariah (January 13, 2021). "The Dangerous Summer Start Fresh as a Denver-Based Band". 303 Magazine. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Aaron Gillespie: Join the "Anthem Song" – An in-depth interview, CBN.com.
  5. 1 2 "Twitter / paramore: While @mileskmcpherson recovers..." Twitter.com. August 26, 2013.
  6. 1 2 "THE ALMOST's 'Monster Monster' – with AARON GILLESPIE". Coupdemainmagazine.com. March 1, 2010. Archived from the original on December 31, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 "A Night of Worship with Aaron Gillespie + Brightwork + AJ Cheek". Vienna, VA Patch. August 26, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  8. "Aaron Gillespie's story". YouTube. April 18, 2012. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
  9. "Aaron Gillespie Speaking at Awakening". YouTube. July 24, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2011.[ dead YouTube link ]
  10. "HM Magazine, Issue 136". Heaven's Metal Magazine. March 2009. pp. 32–33. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  11. "Wooden Steel LIVE interview with AARON GILLESPIE formerly of UNDEROATH". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  12. Childers, Chad (August 25, 2015). "Underoath Announce Full 2016 Reunion Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  13. "He Is We". Heiswemusic.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  14. Burleson, Ryan (May 9, 2016). "Why Underoath's Rebirth Is So Much Bigger Than Just Music". Observer. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
  15. "RIAA Gold and Platinum search for albums by Underoath". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  16. "UNDEROATH AND AARON AMICABLY PART WAYS". April 5, 2010. Archived from the original on January 26, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  17. "Alternative Press | News". Altpress.com. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  18. Sharp, Tyler (August 17, 2015). "Aaron Gillespie, Spencer Chamberlain talk Underoath reunion: "The hiatus is off"". Alternative Press . Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  19. "The Almost – Fear Inside Our Bones". Discogs. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  20. "#59 Aaron Gillespie – Underoath, The Almost, Paramore – BadChristian". BadChristian. Archived from the original on September 17, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  21. "03/08/11 – Release Date". AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  22. Punkvideosrock (November 9, 2016). "Aaron Gillespie on 'Out of the Badlands,' Ghostwriting and Underoath Reunion". Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2017 via YouTube.
  23. "Aaron Gillespie (The Almost, ex-Underoath) to drum for Paramore on tour". Altpress.com. August 26, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  24. "Aaron Gillespie to remain with Paramore for North American tour". Altpress.com. October 5, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  25. "Aaron Gillespie to remain with Paramore for Australian tour". Altpress.com. October 5, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  26. "Home". Soundcave Productions. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  27. "We Swim in Seas that Never Rest, by Collington". Collington. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  28. Hallels (October 2, 2014). "Collington Greets the New Year with New Album Produced by Aaron Gillespie". www.hallels.com. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  29. "Collington Finds His Voice on His New Record". February 19, 2016. Retrieved September 30, 2017.
  30. "Video Exclusive!: Watch Underoath Drummer Endure Blood-Drenched Thumb Surgery During Headline Tour". Headbangersblog.mtv-q.mtvi.com. May 20, 2008. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  31. "We Came As Romans Detail New Album "Tracing Back Roots" | Theprp.com – Metal, Hardcore And Rock News, Reviews And More". Theprp.com. May 20, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.