By LAUREN HALLIGAN
News Editor
Smack dab in the middle of Senses Fail’s national fall tour, Clifton Park is the next stop on their journey. Along for the ride are Before the Fallen Dreams, Expire, and Being As An Ocean.
Frontman Buddy Neilsen and his band have been at this for a while now (11 years to be exact) but show no sign of stopping. In March of this year, Senses Fail released their fifth full-length CD, Renacer, which has a much different tone than the band’s usual angsty, emo sound. Neilsen said he’s always had the desire to drop the pop-driven aspect of their music and explore a heavier genre.
Translated from Spanish, Renacer means “to be reborn,” which the band undoubtedly achieved with this full-length album. Neilsen hopes that fans will embrace the change and be a part of Senses Fail’s bold new chapter. “I think we went in a completely different direction than most of our other records,” he said. “It’s a lot heavier. It’s a lot darker, but the lyrics are way more positive.”
In regards to the songwriting on Renacer, which has redefined the band, Neilsen said that he was actually more involved than he’d ever been before, along with other band members and friends. He described the process as a collective effort.
Since the band’s inception in 2002 (the same year of their debut EP From the Depths of Dreams), Senses Fail has since added five full-length studio albums, and a greatest hits compilation entitled Follow Your Bliss: The Best Of Senses Fail to their discography. Next year will mark the ten year anniversary of 2004 fan favorite release Let It Enfold You.
While Renacer came as a surprise to everyone, the heavier progression was not entirely illogical, as the band’s sound has been steadily maturing since their Depths days. However, the unpredictability of Renacer, complete with incorporation of the Spanish language and fan-focused lyrics rather than the self-loathing, but relatable tunes Neilsen usually sings, proved that Senses Fail has no boundaries. Senses Fail’s new lyrics not only connect with listeners, but engage them in the meanings of the songs.
As far as plans beyond this tour, which ends in November, Neilsen said the band doesn’t have any. However, Senses Fail have been at this for more than a decade, and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon, Neilsen assured fans.
Neilsen said it’s the travel aspect of touring with his band that keeps him going, personally. “It’s fun to be able to just go off and do something exciting like that every couple months or so.” The New Jersey native now lives in Los Angeles, but doesn’t want to feel stuck there. “I don’t want to be sedentary yet,” he said. “There’s a lot of excitement in the travel and I still like playing music.”
A lifelong traveler, Neilsen said that he’s familiar with the upstate area, from his vacations to Lake George, and stays at Schroon Lake.
Though it’s been approximately five years since Senses Fail played a show in the Albany area, Neilsen said they’re glad to be coming back.
With a similar enamor for the California-based Being As An Ocean’s guitarist Tyler Ross said “We’ve never felt more love than when we’re in New York.”
Senses Fail have never played with any of the other bands on the bill before that start of this tour in early October. Confident in the fall’s lineup, Neilsen encourages fans to come check out the supporting acts.
Senses Fail will be playing a variety of different songs on the tour, Neilsen added, promising some older songs that they haven’t played live in a long time. “It should be fun,” he said just before they embarked on tour, adding that shows are always energetic and a positive experience.
Senses Fail will be performing with special guests Before the Fallen Dreams, Expire and Being As An Ocean at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Upstate Concert Hall in Clifton Park. Tickets are $13.50 in advance at the venue’s box office, Northern Lights Smoke Shop on Fuller Road, or any Ticketmaster locations, or $17 at the doors.
For more information on Senses Fail, visit www.sensesfail.com or www.stepuppresents.com.
