Senser

Senser are a politically charged UK rap rock band, originally formed in South West London from a group of friends in the late 1980s. The initial line-up comprised Nick Michaelson (guitar), Heitham Al-Sayed (vocals), Kerstin Haigh (vocals), John Morgan (drums), James Barrett (bass) and Alan "Hagos/Haggis" Haggarty (engineer, producer, programmer) and in 1992 they were joined by Spiral Tribe D.J, Andy Clinton.Strong, Martin C. (1999) ''The Great Alternative & Indie Discography'', Canongate, , p. 551 The band toured in support of psychedelic rockers the Ozric Tentacles in 1992. In 1993, the band were signed to Ultimate Records.

History

In 1993, Senser released two indie singles on Ultimate – "Eject" and "The Key".

In March 1994, Senser released their third single, "Switch", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 39. Senser's first album, ''Stacked Up'', was released in May 1994, and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 4.

At the beginning of 1995, Senser toured the UK supported by Skunk Anansie before setting off to tour the United States with Moby. It was during this tour that the band decided to split over musical differences. Al-Sayed and Morgan left to form a new band with Haggis called Lodestar. The remaining members of Senser found a new drummer, Paul Soden, and set about writing Senser's second album.

During the spring of 1997, they recorded the second album. And in the summer of 1997 De-Senser released "Om".

In the summer of 1998, Haigh was able to tour and the band released the second album, ''Asylum''. Once again musical differences became apparent and in February 1999 the band decided to split.

In 2003, the original line-up reunited originally to perform at one show, but decided to re-form and record again. They released their third studio album ''SCHEMAtic'' in 2004. A concert performance was released in 2006 as ''Live At The Underworld''.

In 2009, they released ''How To Do Battle''.

In 2013, they released their fifth album ''To the Capsules'' via Pledgemusic and toured with Erika Footman on vocals in place of Kerstin Haigh.

In 2014, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut ''Stacked Up'', the band re-released the album in expanded edition with a remastered version of the original tracks on the first CD, and bonus tracks from the era (remixes and previously unreleased songs) on the second disc.

Soundtracks to films

"The Key" was used as part of the cult extreme 1990s ski film, ''The Tribe''.

Senser's song "States of Mind" from ''Stacked Up'', was used as the soundtrack to the well-known demoscene production, ''State of Mind'', by Bomb.

In 2012, one of their songs was also used in the soundtrack to the film '' Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie''.

Discography

Albums

''Stacked Up'' (1994) Ultimate/ A&M
UK No. 4
:# States of Mind
:# The Key
:# Switch
:# Age of Panic
:# What's Going On
:# One Touch One Bounce
:# Stubborn
:# Door Game
:# Peanut Head
:# Peace
:# Eject
:# No Comply
:# Worth

''Asylum'' (1998) Ultimate
UK No. 73
:# Book of Flies
:# Charming Demons
:# Adrenaline
:# Strange Asylum
:# Burn Out
:# Desensitised
:# Breed
:# Lizard
:# Oyster
:# Weatherman

''Asylum'' (Limited Edition) (1998) "Senser Vs. De:Senser"
:# Charming Demons (DJ "Awe" mix)
:# Eye Kaleid
:# Tried & Untested
:# Om (Harry Hogg mix)
:# Rows of People
:# Gabba Man

''Parallel Charge'' (2001) Strike Back
:# Age Of Panic
:# Charming Demons
:# States Of Mind
:# Strange Asylum
:# Switch
:# Breed
:# The Key
:# Adrenalin
:# Eject
:# Lizard
:# Stubborn
:# Book of Flies
:# No Comply
:# Desensitized

''SCHEMAtic'' (2004) One Little Indian
:# Silent By
:# 101 Infoburner
:# Bulletproof
:# Formula Milk
:# Crucible
:# Return to Zombie Island
:# An Astounding Spectacle
:# Photographed Files
:# Bomb Factories
:# A Conscious War
:# The Brunt

''How To Do Battle'' (2009) Imprint
:# Wake Up, You’re On Fire
:# Resistance Now
:# Brightest Rays
:# 2 3 Clear
:# Dictator Bling
:# End Of The World Show
:# Smoking Paranoia
:# Sandhurst in Zero G
:# So Refined
:# Hex
:# Fairytale
:# Lights Out
:# Arturo
:# Blind (iTunes Bonus Track)

''To The Capsules'' (2013)
:# Devoid
:# Time Travel Scratch
:# Witch Village
:# Wounded Spectre
:# Break The Order
:# Alpha Omega
:# Liquidity
:# Echelon
:# Chemtrails
:# Let There Be War

Singles

*"Eject" (1993), Ultimate
*"The Key" (1993), Ultimate – UK #47
*"Switch" (1994), Ultimate – UK #39
*"Age of Panic" (1994), Ultimate – UK #52
*"Charming Demons" (1996), Ultimate – UK #42
*"Adrenalin" (1998), Ultimate - UK #85
*"Breed" (1998), Ultimate - UK #76
*"Weatherman", Ultimate – promo only
*''De:Senser'' EP (1998), Ultimate
*"The Brunt" (2004), One Little Indian
*"Bulletproof" / "Crucible" (2004), One Little Indian
*"Resistance Now" (2009), Imprint
*''Biting Rhymes'' EP (2011), Imprint – features hiphop covers

Videos/DVDs

*''States of Mind'' (1995), Ultimate (VHS)
*''Live at the Underworld'' (2006), Ignite (DVD/CD)

Members

Current

* Heitham Al-Sayed (b. 27 February 1971) (lead vocals/percussion, 1992–1995, 1999–present) He is of Saudi and English parentage; also associated with Fiend and (previously) Lodestar.
* Nick Michaelson (guitar, 1992–present)
* James Barrett (bass, 1992–present)
* John Morgan (drums, 1992–1995, 1999–present)
* Kerstin Haigh (vocals/flute, 1992–2011, 2013-present)

Former

* Alan "Hagos/Haggis" Haggarty (sound engineering/programming/producer, 1992–1994, 1999–2004)
* Paul Soden (drums, 1995–1999)
* Erika Footman (vocals, 2013)
* Andy "Awe" Clinton (turntables, 1992–2017)

References

Bibliography

In Performance
(New York Times)

Rolling Stone Magazine - Transglobal Underground review

External links

*

{{Authority control
English hip hop groups
Musical groups from London
Rapcore groups
Rap rock groups
Rap metal musical groups