(MSO) As Underoath cross the U.S. on their headlining fall tour with Every Time I Die, Poison The Well and Maylene & the Sons of Disaster, they encountered an unexpected challenge at Sunday night’s show in Las Vegas. While in Las Vegas, Underoath drummer/vocalist Aaron Gillespie had to undergo emergency surgery to treat an infection in his hand. In order to avoid canceling a slew of tour dates (including some high-profile shows), the band enlisted the help of drummer Kenny Bozich--a long-time fan of Underoath who was recruited by Gillespie to join his solo project The Almost. Luck was on Underoath’s side, as they had to track down Bozich while he was hiking in the mountains of Utah.
Bozich left the mountains with just enough time catch a flight to Las Vegas that landed 25-minutes before Underoath would take the stage Sunday night at the House of Blues. The band texted Bozich a set list and he listened to the songs nonstop on the flight. The group and Bozich had less than 5-minutes to talk before they took the stage, the band and Bozich managed to still play a strong 40-minute set.
All the day-of-show action including the surgery on AARON’s hand was captured by the video crew currently traveling with Underoath for a documentary and concert film on the band and their current headlining tour. At the forthcoming October 28 show in Philadelphia, fans can expect a major multi camera shoot. Expect this live CD/DVD to hit shelves early next year.
In the meantime, Underoath guitarist TIM MCTAGUE and lead vocalist SPENCER CHAMBERLAIN are taking over Gillespie’s vocals for the time being while he adheres to the doctor’s orders to take the week off to rest his hand before rejoining his bandmates on tour in Portland on October 9th.