Senser

Senser, a politically-charged UK band originally formed in South West London from a group of friends in the late 1980s, Nick Michaelson (guitar), Heitham Al-Sayed (vocals), Kerstin Haigh (vocals), John Morgan (drums), James Barrett (bass) and "Haggis" (engineer, producer, programmer) and in 1992 they were joined by Spiral Tribe D.J, Andy Clinton. The band soon forged an innovative, eclectic and explosive new style and began to support psychedelic rockers the Ozric Tentacles. Soon they had developed a following in their own right and they were invited to play at Glastonbury, this got the ball rolling in 1993 the band were signed to Ultimate records. Senser's musical style has repeatedly been described as "uncategorisable", but is nevertheless most often classified as Rapcore.

Contents

1 History 2 Discography 3 Members 3.1 Current members 3.2 Former members 4 External link

History

In 1993 Senser released two chart topping singles on Ultimate, Eject and The Key and during the summer they played most of the major festivals. The band were gaining a reputation for being one of the most exciting live acts around and found themselves on stage alongside Rage Against The Machine, The Levellers and Chumbawamba.

In March 1994 Senser released their third single, Switch, which entered the National Chart at No.39 and the band underwent a heavy schedule of T.V, radio, press and live performances. Senser's first album, "Stacked Up", was released in May 1994, and entered the National Charts at No.4. With the success of their album, Senser's fan-base grew, enabling the band to play to sell-out crowds across the U.K. and Europe.

In 1994 Senser could be seen on the UK festival circuit and supported Red Hot Chili Peppers at Reading festival. In Europe they played at Roskilde Festival (Denmark), 'Torhout and 'Werchter' (Belgium), and 'Pink Pop' (Holland) and toured as support for Henry Rollins. After a curtailed tour of Japan, they then returned to the UK.

At the beginning of 1995 Senser toured the U.K. supported by Skunk Anansie before setting off to tour the U.S.A. with Moby. It was during this tour that the band decided to split over musical differences. Heitham, Haggis and John left formed a new band called Lodestar. The remaining members of Senser found a new drummer, Paul Soden, and set about writing Senser's second album.

After a year of writing and rehearsing Senser took to the road again and appeared at Phoenix '96. During the spring of '97 they recorded the 2nd album with legendary producer Arthur Baker, it had a similar eclectic sound to the first but had a more electronic feel. Whilst recording the album Kerstin became pregnant so the other members formed De-Senser to keep the ball rolling until they could tour again. This new project, dealt specifically with programmed techno and drum and bass. And in the summer of 1997 De-Senser released "Om" an instant hit at clubs across the UK.

At the beginning of 1995 Senser toured the U.K. supported by Skunk Anansie before setting off to tour the U.S.A. with 'Moby'. It was during this tour that the band decided to split over musical differences. Heitham, Haggis and John left formed a new band called 'Lodestar'. The remaining members of Senser found a new drummer, Paul Soden, and set about writing Senser's second album.

After a year of writing and rehearsing Senser took to the road again and appeared at Phoenix '96. During the spring of '97 they recorded the 2nd album with legendary producer Arthur Baker, it had a similar eclectic sound to the first but had a more electronic feel. Whilst recording the album Kerstin became pregnant so the other members formed De-Senser to keep the ball rolling until they could tour again. This new project, dealt specifically with programmed techno and drum and bass. And in the summer of 1997 De-Senser released "Om" an instant hit at clubs across the UK.

In the summer of 1998 Kerstin was able to tour and the band released the second album, Asylum. This was followed by touring throughout '98 especially in areas such as Spain, Italy and France. Once again musical differences became apparent and in February 1999 the band decided to split. Senser still had to play two last festivals to honour their commitments so they invited original members Heitham, John and Haggis back to perform with them. The gigs were extremely successful and proved to the group that they still worked well together and soon the original line-up found themselves working together on a compilation album of Senser's back catalogue called Parallel Charge.

Now several years on the band have reformed with the full original line-up and written a third new album SCHEMAtic. Drawing on their own personal styles, experiences and influences the new work represents a broad musical development from their past release and is an impressive return to form. in 2003, an early tour of the new material was performed to packed out, sweat drenched venues which not only proved that they are still widely loved and respected but showed that in today's world Senser's outlook is now more relevant than ever.

Senser's song "States of Mind", from Stacked Up, was also used (without the band's permission) as the soundtrack to the well-known demoscene production State of Mind by Bomb. [1] (http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=26)

Discography

• Stacked Up (1994)
  1. States of Mind
  2. The Key
  3. Switch
  4. Age of Panic
  5. What's Going On
  6. One Touch One Bounce
  7. Stubborn
  8. Door Game
  9. Peanut Head
  10. Peace
  11. Eject
  12. No Comply
  13. Worth

• Asylum (1998)
  1. Book of Flies
  2. Charming Demons
  3. Adrenaline
  4. Strange Asylum
  5. Burn Out
  6. Desensitised
  7. Lizard
  8. Oyster
  9. Weatherman
• Asylum (Limited Edition) (1998) "Included a bonus disc"
  1. Charming Demons (DJ "Awe" mix)
  2. Eye Laleid
  3. Tried and Tested
  4. Om (Harry Hogg mix)
  5. Rows of People
  6. Gabba Man

• Parallel Charge (2001)
  1. Age Of Panic
  2. Charming Demons
  3. States Of Mind
  4. Strange Asylum
  5. Switch
  6. Breed
  7. The Key
  8. Adrenalin
  9. Eject
  10. Lizard
  11. Stubborn
  12. Book Of Flies
  13. Breed
  14. Desensitized

• SCHEMAtic (2004)
  1. Silent By
  2. 101 Infoburner
  3. Bulletproof
  4. Formula Milk
  5. Crucible
  6. Return to Zombie Island
  7. An Astounding Spectacle
  8. Photographed Files
  9. Bomb Factories
  10. A Conscious War
  11. The Brunt

Members

Current members

• Heitham Al-Sayed (Rap (Lead Vocalist)/Percussion, 1992–1995, 1999– present)
• Kersten Haigh (Vocals and Flute, 1992–present)
• Nick Michaelson (Guitar, 1992–present)
• James Barret (Bass, 1992–present)
• John Morgan (Drums, 1992–1995, 1999–present)
• "Haggis" (Sound Engineer/Progammer/Producer, 1992–1995, 1999–present)
• Andy "Awe" Clinton (DJ, 1992–present)

Former members

• Paul Soden (Drums, 1995–1999)

External link

• Official website (http://www.senser.co.uk/)