Aaron Gillespie of UnderØATH On "Not Knowing What He's Doing" On Drums and Why You Shouldn't Either 

They’re only Chasing Safety and Define the great line will forever be two of the greatest and most important albums ever made in the metalcore / emo / hardcore scene

His drumming has always been so different than everyone in the scene. I always loved his lack of double bass. And using feely groves in heavier music. He’s the best!!!!!!

Aaron is one of the most expressive drummers I've ever seen. it's a treasure to watch!

I looked up to you when I was growing up. I appreciate you all for creating such beautiful sounds. You guys helped me feel like I was worth something. So, thank you all for that.

I love the drumming on in regards to myself and writing on the walls Aarons is awesome!!

Aaron is one of the most genuine, honest, real people I’ve ever met. Such an awesome guy, absolutely love him!!!

In my opinion Aaron Gillespie is one of the best and unique drummers in the world. There are not many that could play his style.

Lookin like Mike Hranica with that mustache

That is possibly the best interview I've ever seen with Aaron. Good stuff.

Wow that was really cool, one of my favorite drummers ever. Now at 29 he has just as much influence on my playing as when I was 15.

Awesome interview and insight into Aaron's playing and feelings. Will always be one of my favorite drummers.

Awesome interview. I had the pleasure of seeing you guys live in South Africa, 2008. And you made us all feel. Thank you Aaron.

You were definitely my hero growing up. I went to 7 underoath shows and remember being insanely sad that i missed one show because i wasn't in the country. Will cherish those days forever.

This guy is a living legend

Uh Aaron Gillespie has always had my heart ♥️♥️♥️😍 such a sweet humble guy. Underoath my favorite band for over 12 yrs. they’re music has always made me “feel” something.

Been a fan for 13 years. Glad to see them still around.

Underoath has inspired me to on my own path with music. I don’t listen to them too often anymore sadly, but their influences are clearly visible. His words speaks volumes. I don’t know where I’m heading with music, but I want to aspire to be as authentic.

WOOW this interview is AMAZING!!!

The Sun Still Sleeps!!

I can testify to the part where he talks about breaking drums. When i was working a winter retreat/ venue a few years ago he was doing a solo gig before UØ got back together and borrowed a snare and after the show there was a legit 5 inch indent on the snare😂

aaron is the man , if you read this aaron just know your music is incredible an has impacted my life big time an im still listening to your records from 10 years ago ! chasing safety is my fav album, fav song is moment suspended in time , keep doing you man ! - Motion

Much Love for Aaron! Keep doing you man.

I saw you guys this year in Salt Lake with DGD, and The Plot in You. Fucking killed it. I caught your drumstick! BUT I barely missed you after the show to get it signed. You sang Happy Birthday to your son who was there, and we sang with you. Im 24. I was being falsely accused of a hefty crime that Thursday before the show, because of a description... I felt like the protectors of our country had taken sides with all the people that have judged me for how Ive always appeared through my life growing up, which I never thought would effect me again because I'm grown up and over it, but it brought it all back. When you guys played Too Bright to See, Too Loud to Hear it reminded me of when I use to play that song to help me cope with those judgements and I broke into tears in the crowd. "We're forgetting our forgiveness." Love

Your vibe is soo connected and chill!!

Underoath has always been a steady influence for our band! Keep rocking guys!

Such a legend and a crucial part to underoaths sound and impact on the genre. These guys influenced so many musicians.

Since The "Changing of Times" Underoath has been a huge influence for me and that's because i definitely "feel" when I listen to them. Aaron's singing has always been a big part of that too!

15 year drummer here and I can undoubtedly admit that I’ve looked up to Aaron in my years and I can attest to his statement about “wearing your heart on your sleeve behind the drums”. Some drummers are technical, have to BE the metronome but the rest of us go with the flow of the music and let our hearts flow through our sticks. I will always love this man, his technique, his grooves and his style. ❤️

Aaron is my FAVE music artist. Underoath FAVE band.

seen Aaron play at mac hall in calgary... best show I ever have been too. and my favourite memory that i tell everyone is... he was playing so hard his ride cymbal fell off the stand. he didnt miss a beat at all, and their crew ran out and fixed it. and i was watching this all unfold as spencer head banged his sweaty ass hair over top of me. I was so immersed in that show i dont think i could ever re-live that experience ever.

Close my eyes, just for tonight. The sun still sleeps, when she wakes........ Thanks for your beautiful music and memories

I feel like Aaron is so much more authentic these days. I dig it.

Aaron you're such an inspiration!

You’re a very inspiring guy, Aaron.

This dude is totally my biggest influence when it comes to drumming, not the most technical drummer but can beat any other with great aggressiveness and style.

And this is why he is the best drummer known to mankind. And thissssss is why Underøath will forever be my FAVORITE. I was definitely feeling when they came to Cleveland like literally in tears. So I’d say you’re doing as you intended very well. Underøath will forever touch my soul.. your music in general will forever make my heart happy.

He’s brilliant. Love you aaaron!

Ive looked up to this man all my drumming years. And it seems after years of not hearing from aarons heart, not i know we see eye to eye. I wish i was chris turner good but i love to bring out the feeling embedded in people

It’s crazy that Aaron still remembers the first time he heard music through headphones and brushes it off as abstract and stupid because the first time I ever put on a GOOD pair of headphones, studio quality type, I put on a moment suspended in time and was blown away by how incredible it all sounded. I can still remember when the octaves chords kicked in and went through their progression.i instantly noticed how well they cut through the mix. Weird memory I guess but I’m glad that I have it.

my favorite drummer!

To any drummers watching this: Don't use Aaron's words as an excuse to not practice or not learn music theory

And that's why hes the most unique drummer ive ever heard

This dude is a legend.

I love watching musicians talk about the first music they listened to, its like they go back in time, we all tell the same different story

old Underoath

Legend !

Love this guy

Love you Aaron

I love that he does it his own way

What goes off in a person's brain to initiate a click of the dislike button on a man expressing himself. Weird.

Style is dope fursur.

I give him credit. He's been through a lot and still so real about everything

I love Aaron

I have similar views on music. As a musician or former musician (not in bands anymore) what every you want to call me it’s all about writing good songs. I am not the best guitar player in the world, I even lied to people about how long I played guitar just so I could get serious people to jam with. I would be nervous about playing with a much better guitar player but then I realized that I really have my own sound and I focused on playing solid. I definitely had people thinking I was a much better player than I was because I played super solid. Music wasn’t hard to play it was just fast. The last lead guitar player I had was a guitar instructor at a famous local guitar school and he said “fuck man ur music isn’t technically hard but fuck it’s fast” all I’m saying is it’s not about being a jimmy Hendrix it’s about playing your music solid and having your own sound and great guitar tone.For me I was always a much better song writer and eventually I realized yeah this guy might be a great guitarist or drummer but I bring great writing to the table so I shouldn’t be ashamed that I can’t play eruption like eddy Van Halen. Without great songs being a virtuoso means nothing!

One of one.

Real brother

Hard to think that I saw these guys in South Africa 10 years ago, now I work walking distance away from the place they performed

I dig this. I feel like Aaron isn't really trying to be Christian anymore, he's just being Aaron. I related to this video so much. Thanks dude!

Chasing Safety is Legendary

Same here aaron same here !

Look at Aaron all growed up!!!

I love moving for the sake of motion the drums make this fucking band dude I know what he means by he fucked up recording the album vocals and drums then having to learn and play the shit live I couldn't imagine, what a badass

So this is what Ron Weasley is up to now.

No Aaron, your drumming is perfect for Underoath because it sounds real and it's always felt more live that way, it's iconic and signature to the band, it's 100% you. And while you may regret your playing on Lost in the Sound of Separation because it's not quite condusive to singing along, I and many others believe it's some of your finest work. I wouldn't change anything about your music. Underoath is my favorite band of all time for many reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is that your music was unapologetically honest and uncompromising. Much love my friend.

Let that stachè go bro

Love it. Love the cheese

He smiles zero times in this video. Hope he’s in good spirits!

He sang on the changing of times too?

(a sin is a sin, doesn't give you the right to condemn them to hell!) i LOVE there first and second Albums.

3:28 looks like the guy in the same green shirt in the video Enter Shikari - Sorry your not a winner

Had a chance to meet him while working at Memphis Drum Shop while he was on drums for Paramore. Super nice guy, willing to talk, seemed like a friend visiting. He’s right when he says he doesn’t have much true technique. He was at the time a Meinl cymbal artist and wanted to check out an Istanbul ride. He just sat down and beat the hell out of the drums like he was playing to a large crowd. All arms and no wrist but still such a killer drummer for what he does and one of my favorites. Glad I got to meet him and get to know him a little.

Words from the wise!

There was a lot of depth from him.

I don’t know what I’m doing on drums either

Jesus please use a tripod next time the gentle sway on that close up shot is making me seasick...great interview though, Aaron is such an amazing pocket drummer, really different from most "heavy" drummers out there and he's equally as good vocally and as a song writer!

Is that Paul Flart?

Love that he is passionate about his music, but considering his I’m all about supporting the history/lyrics drumming style- argument, I honestly don’t understand the absolute lack of dynamics and the inexplicable dissociation he shows/theorizes between emotions and technique -you know, technique enables musicians to express themselves thoroughly throughout a wide range of emotions. Hitting hard, at least in my interpretation, is but one side of the expression spectrum of playing drums.

"night after night"

He obviously did Movember but did he do No Nut November?

Did anybody else see Lil Kev from It's Always Sunny?

I'd say when you're first starting out, it's better to learn your favorite songs, to the point where you start embellishing them and then go from there. You absolutely don't need to know how to read music.

He’s more humble/self deprecating now

Im 35? yeah 35. I was like 8 or 9. I was like 6 or 7 or 5 or 8.

Come back to Jesus Aaron! You know in your heart he is the answer to everything... praying for u bro!

420🤙

Well I know that NONE of them knew what they were doing with that last album.

Hes the metal Leeland Mooring

Train Conductor Aaron

man he got old

He now looks like a ginger Jeff Tweedy

Didn’t you meet your first wife from the crowd lol!? You asked her to go get pizza after the show!!

He's really good on the drums for not knowing what he's doing 😂 must know something.

He looks like santa in the off season.

Aaron.. u high broh?

at least shout out dallas taylor man. Damn the dudes halfway dead......

When you share the same last name as someone from a band

Your mom was into Christian music? Never would have thought lol

What’s up with the mustache 🤣

Great drummer. Cliche af...but a great drummer nonetheless

He looks like he drank a glass of hair.