Senser formed back in 1989 and have produced a unique fusion of rock, metal, hip-hop and alternative electronica. They became known for their political stances within their lyrical content and their explosive live sets. They achieved worldwide noteriety in 1995 for their album ‘Stacked Up’ with the band extensively touring the album across the planet. The band split shortly after the tour and then reformed in 2001, but only now do the band believe they are back to producing their best material. So, we joined bassist James Barrett to tell us all…

 

Hey guy what are you up to at the minute?

I’m fiddling with a new bass speaker in preparation for a live XFM session we’ve got coming up… the rest of the band are probably chilling out before we start rehearsals later this week…

 

Is it possible to describe Senser’s hybrid sound in four words? If not, could you try your best for our readers…

Outer-space metal hip-hop

 

You have a new album coming out soon. Do you still get that excitement with finishing a record?

We finished our album a year ago which was pretty exciting… it’s taken a year for us to set up our  own label (Imprint Music) and get the right people on board who’ll help get the album out there… now everything’s set up and the release date’s near, the excitement is definitely building up

 

Who have you got producing the album this time round?

On our latest studio album (How To Do Battle) we’ve worked with producers Neil McLellan (who has produced The Prodigy albums), Jason Wilcox (The Ghost Of AThousand, Reuben) and New York hip hop producer Scott Harding (Wu Tang Clan, New Kingdom).

 

It been a long and rocky road for Senser. If you could take a snippet of advice for up and coming bands, what would it be?

Don’t lose your sense of humour or take yourself too seriously, don’t believe your own press and definitely take a break if you ain’t enjoying it anymore

 

The song that Senser would be proud to be remembered by in years to come?

With each album there tends to be one or two tracks that could fit that bill… on our latest album  a  current favourite is ‘Brightest Rays’… it’s a fat ass bass Hip Hop track with a lowdown dirty groove, tuff lyric washed down with a keg of psychadelia…

 

The big influences outside music that have helped form your political views?

Big influences have been… the 80’s… growing up under an arrogant, out of touch Tory government run by a dogmatic, mad, old lady … booting the Tories out of power… Nelson Mandela… the Bush family legacy…  the injustices of the Israeli Palestinian conflict… Iraq… Afghanistan… the west’s continuing colonial world view…

 

I have just watched a video of you from Reading 94. What do you remember from that show? It looked a crazy show…

We were lucky enough to play Reading and Glastonbury a few times…  Reading 94 had the Chili Peppers headlining…  we had around 30 – 40,000 people watching…  it was a field full of moshing nutters…  big festival gigs are completely insane…

 

Are you looking forward to getting back on the road?

Definitely looking forward to playing some new tunes at some gigs… We always enjoy hitting the rock ‘n roll highway…!

 

The country you can’t wait to play?

France is great… Grecian crowds  are cool too…  we didn’t make it to South America on previous albums …  apparently there’s people there digging our thing… so it’d be great to get over there

 

Your favourite London venue?

There’s some fairly good venues in London but based on gigs with a cool vibe we’ve played recently… I’d say Decadence & Disorder (club) @ Sin… this was the place to go to for a seedy, indulgent rock night out … sadly Sin has been torn down now… I think Decadence & Disorder has found a new home though

 

And finally what are Senser’s aspirations for the rest of this year?

We’ll be promoting this album with a few tours around the UK and Europe… releasing a few singles… making a few videos… playing some festivals and with any luck we’ll get cracking with our next record