08.23.2006 - Submitted by: tablaunch

Hardcore Christian rockers Underoath announced they were dropping off the Warped Tour last week, but don't blame NOFX frontman Fat Mike. In a post on their website, the God-loving metal band said that the reason for the abrupt cancellation was due to internal band struggles, writing, "We're deeply frustrated and sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. We felt it necessary to take some immediate time to focus on our friendship, as that’s more important than risking it for the sake of touring at this time."


But rumours were swirling that Fat Mike, who's been mocking the young Christians' religious beliefs, created a beef between the two bands as well as their fans, causing Underoath to leave the tour. So, Fat Mike released a statement saying everyone was acting like little punks about the situation and blowing it out of proportion.


"As much as I do like controversy, there really isn't any to report on this subject," he wrote. "Underoath have left the Warped Tour, and as much as people want to give me credit for that, the truth is they just really needed a break apparently. Some people have suggested that they bailed because I made too much fun of them. Problem with that theory is that I have made fun of plenty of bands on this tour. I have also taken plenty of jabs at Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Muslims. I feel I am an equal opportunist when it comes to getting laughs from an easy target."


In an interview with Dose.ca done just prior to the start of Warped Tour, Underoath frontman Spencer Chamberlain admitted one of the toughest things about being a Christian rock band was the perceptions other bands and fans had of them due to their religious beliefs.


"The only reason it's hard [being Christian] is because of what America has made it out to look like," Underoath frontman Chamberlain said. "The way that people think, automatically, that if you're this, then you're just like that. There's no way around it. There's only one way."