Senses Fail are a post-hardcore band from River Vale, New Jersey. Celebrating over ten years as a band, Senses Fail have continued to change their sound drastically from their debut full length ‘Let It Enfold You’ in 2004.
We spoke to the band just before they released their latest album ‘Pull The Thorns From Your Heart’, an album we think is their best yet. We caught up with the band once again to speak about how the release of the album went for them, their experience of Warped Tour 2015 and of course, we spoke about Buddy’s amazing choice of shirts!
Now we had a fantastic chat with you before the release of Pull The Thorns From Your Heart, how has the reception been for this record so far?
Wonderful! I was really blown away by how positive it has been.
The new album is a real relatable and emotional journey and many people have coined it as your best yet, how proud are you of the content of this record?
Extremely, much more than anything we have done.
You played Warped Tour this year, how was that as an experience? and what was it like playing the new tracks?
It was good. We were one of the older bands on the tour and it was strange to be in that role for the first time. I felt a little strange and out of place but it was cool. It was a great tour to release a new record on and raise awareness about the newer things I am speaking about concerning social politics. Playing the new songs was ok. I think playing them on headline shows will be much better and more fulfilling.
Having played Warped Tour a number of times in your career, how has it changed since your first appearance?
I mean overall it is the same structure and a lot of the same people but of course the bands have changed. I would say that is the biggest thing and of course we are much older than when we first started. I think it is still a great experience and important for bands to do and I hope that in the future it can continue to be what it has been for all these years.
You have been a band since 2002 which means you’ve been together an outstanding 13 years…in modern times this is cited as an achievement, how have you managed to stay together this long and why do you think bands often don’t last more than a few years?
It is really really hard to keep a group of people together for that long, look at most marriages, they last less than 2. A band is basically a marriage with 5 or 6 other people, it’s tough and that is just the relational part of it. Then you factor in the business side of it, as well as, the time commitment and you have a very fleeting case. The way we have stayed around is to be humble, to adapt and to be willing and ok with making less money whilst having day jobs in order to be able to tour. A lot of bands when they get to the phase of having to go back to day jobs will throw in the towel. I was able to continue on with it and find other like minded individuals who loved touring and making music enough to make that sacrifice.
One of the main things I love about Senses Fail is just how inspirational everything about the band is. From the willingness to speak up about any topics you disagree with to the lyrical content of the records that have even lead to many people citing it as “saving their lives”, how does it feel to be such an inspiration?
I appreciate that, thank you. I am honestly just taking the inspiration given to me by my teachers and trying to pass it a long, I just look at myself as someone who has gained knowledge from other people who were willing to share and I want to pay that forward.
Although the record cycle for Pull The Thorns From Your Heart is in full swing right now, has there been any thoughts or work on a follow-up record or are you enjoying this release first?
Yes, absolutely, probably start writing early next year.
You are heading back over to the UK with Counterparts and Capsize in October. The line-up seems perfectly equipped to be a ‘tour of the year’ contender, how excited are you for this tour?
Haha, yes I can’t wait!
There is a strong debate right now about moshpits and stage diving and if they should happen at a show, what are your opinions on this?
If the band wants that to be part of the show and the people in the crowd are into it then cool. If that is not the case than no. I think it’s up to the bands.
Thanks so much for speaking to us today. Lastly, where can we get shirts like Buddy wore on Warped Tour? We want one!
H&M
