Gothic Theatre
Senses Fail
Darkness pervades Senses Fail’s music, from the pummeling beats to the corrosive riffs to the shouted introspection. You wouldn’t guess that from speaking with the band, though. The New Jersey-based quintet’s undeniable intensity frequently gives way to laughter once they put down their instruments. It’s a refreshing break from musicians who can’t seem to leave their onstage personas onstage.
“We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” admits singer Buddy Nielsen. “We just play music. We’re not saving any lives. I think that’s why we’ll survive as a band.”
They’ve already endured more than most acts. Senses Fail formed in February 2002 when two factions of Jersey musicians dropped the deadweight from their respective bands and joined forces. “We just wanted to play something that was a little harder sounding—mix hardcore with strong melodies,” says Buddy of the group’s original vision.
The final piece of the puzzle turned out to be the band’s youngest member, drummer Dan Trapp. “Dan was 15 when we started,” recalls guitarist Dave Miller. “Originally, I was weirded out that a 15-year-old was going to be in our band. But when he started playing, we knew right away that the band was going to do something.”
“We all had this weird feeling that we were onto something,” adds Buddy. “The band just eclipsed everything else in our lives after that.”
Dubbing themselves Senses Fail to evoke “living in the present,” the quintet quickly assembled a strong set of material that focused on crunching power, shout along melodies and Buddy’s doomed romantic lyrics. Sample lines from the cathartic “One Eight Seven”: “A gaping hole, shot threw my heart. A loss of connection from your poisoned dart. My head it now spins. My ears bleed gold. I try so fucking hard, but I don’t fit your mold.”
They honed their sound performing shows in any venue that would have them, from VFW halls to the east coast’s dankest clubs. Soon, the band’s energetic delivery and Buddy’s intense performances amassed a loyal following. “New Jersey is the best scene in the country,” says the singer. “Kids put on their own shows, and make the scene themselves.”
Booking three days at Nada Studios in New York with producer John Naclerio, the band recorded what would become the bulk of their debut EP, From The Depths Of Dreams. MP3s of the songs caught the attention of Drive-Thru’s Richard and Stefanie Reines, who approached the band about a deal. But Senses Fail almost blew it, thanks to their singer’s love of a good prank.
“Initially, Garrett was kind of a dick to Richard because he thought it was me emailing him,” says Buddy. “I used to call up Dan and Garrett and be like, ‘Yeah, I want to sign your band.’ And they’d be like, ‘This label called!’ So Garrett thought it was me fucking with him, and he was like, ‘Yeah, whatever….’”
In keeping with their sometimes contrary approach, Senses Fail introduce themselves on From The Depths Of Dreams with a farewell. “Steven” kicks off the eight-song EP with a muscular build up of guitar-drums-bass. The band halts on a dime, then Buddy unleashes a screaming send off to a lost friend:
“Good! Byyyye!” The song, like much of the band’s work, hits the tender bulls eye between a range of emotions, from grief to resignation to anger.
“It’s about a friend of mine who died,” says Buddy, almost at a loss for words. “He got hit by a car… yeah… it’s one of the first songs I wrote.”
Later this year, Senses Fail enter the studio with veteran producer Steve Evetts (Saves The Day, Seplutura) to record their full-length debut. Titled Let It Enfold You after a poem by notorious Beat writer Charles Bukowski, the new material showcases the growth the band has made since recording From The Depths Of Dreams and touring relentlessly with fellow Drive-Thru acts.
“The new songs are a lot harder,” says Buddy. “There’s more screaming, but the lyrics are more thought out. There’s more behind them. They’re still dark, but there’s not as much death. Although there is stuff about chainsaws,” he says with a laugh, referring to a line that references the 1989 cult classic Heathers starring Winona Ryder.
Lyrically, new songs like “This Song Just Is,” “Bite To Break Skin” and “Jim Morrison” remind listeners to “follow your bliss,” according to Buddy. It’s advice the singer himself has followed ever since that first Senses Fail rehearsal.
“I always say, ‘Do whatever makes you happy.’ I just want to have fun and play in this band for as long as possible,” he concludes. “You can meet a lot of cool people through music. It’s fun as hell.”
