Code Orange recently livestreamed their Underneath record release show due to restrictions over the coronavirus. You might've noticed there, or in videos as well, that vocalist and drummer Jami Morgan has stepped up to the front of the stage and is currently only handling vocals. Morgan tells Post Gazette that the decision was made for the switch during the writing sessions of Underneath.
“When we started writing the songs, we kind of discussed it and Shade kept encouraging it, because the songs were complicated in a way, and we were saying this is going to limit what we can do on stage. It was a mixture of that and, at the time, we were playing support shows with bigger bands and learning the difficulties in connecting in the way we’re set up.
It seemed like things were coming together in this perfect storm. That, and I thought of how we would introduce it in the videos and how we could add another layer to the album with it. We try to make the whole thing an event as much as possible.”
Morgan also pulled a Slipknot when it comes to revealing who the new drummer is. He said the identity of the new drummer doesn't matter, and that the band doesn't want to be married to a new drummer yet either.
“Uh, we’re not gonna say. It’s not even about who it is. The mask and the concept fits with the character in the record and with the cover art, and I like that. On top of that, we’ll see. He’s a great guy and I think he’ll continue to earn his spot, but for now he’s an empty vessel. He’s our drumming muse for now. We don’t want to be married to anyone yet. You don’t know how people are going to be ’til they are.”
