Senser

Not to be confused with sensor, censor (disambiguation), or censer.

Senser are an English rap rock band, originally formed in South West London from a group of friends in the late 1980s. The initial line-up was called ‘Senser Element’ and consisted of Nick Michaelson (guitar), Kerstin Haigh (vocals), Steve Morton (drums and beatbox), and James Barrett (bass). The band played in Steve’s front room in his mums flat in Wimbledon Park. Steve’s mum and dad were classical violinists playing for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra but his dad was ejected due to his outspoken and rebellious behavior in rehearsals. Steve’s Dad; Garth, introduced Steve and his friends to the music of jazz legends like Miles Davis, Billy Cobham and Mahavishnu Orchestra and psychedelic music from artists like Can, Jimi Hendrix, Hawkwind and Syd Barrett.

Senser
Origin	London, England
Genres	Rap rock rapcore alternative rock rap metal nu metal^[1]
Years active	Late 1980s–present
Labels	Ultimate, A&M, One Little Indian, Imprint Music
Members	Heitham Al-Sayed Kerstin Haigh Nick Michaelson James Barrett John Morgan
Past members	Erika Footman Paul Soden Alan 'Hagos/Haggis' Haggarty Richard Ford Timothy Morton Andy "Awe" Clinton Steve Morton
Website	senser.co.uk

In the 1980’s Steve Morton and James Barrett were also getting immersed in the London Electro scene which brought a fusion of Funk and Hip Hop sounds from New York. Steve also participated in beatbox battles and received respect for his skills at just 14 years old at the London Electro club ‘Spatz’. Early influences like Man Parrish, Beastie Boys, N.W.A, West Street Mob, KRS-One, Public Enemy added so much to the burgeoning sound of the band. At the same time Nick was honing his guitar skills to bands like Slayer, Anthrax and Black Sabbath. Kerstin had been a busker, singing 70’s rock music, having scoured through her family's vinyl collection of Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix & Crosby, Stills & Nash. Classical instruments like tabla and learning sitar, from her travels in India drew her to albums like Peter Gabriel’s soundtrack album Passion and singer Sheila Chandra. These diverse and juxtaposed elements were being drawn together and the sound of Senser started to form.

Heitham Al-Sayed joined initially as a percussionist. What he really wanted to add was rapping, which was received with a mixed response, but Kerstin was positive that this would create something exciting in the music and Heitham started to write rhymes. The band were in Albert Hall Studios when the steps to creating their first album Stacked Up were taken, with an early demo tape recording Music for the Mind and Body that included songs like; "Journey of Life" and "What’s Going On".

In 1988 Steve Morton had to leave due to health issues and John Morgan (drums) joined.

The band met Alan "Hagos/Haggis" Haggarty (engineer, producer, programmer) at the George Robey Pub in North London and liked his psychedelic treatment of the live sound. The band asked him if he wanted to join as a live producer who would bring the sound to the songs that were being written.

The band started to look for a DJ to join and in 1992 they were joined by Spiral Tribe D.J, Andy Clinton.^[2] The band toured in support of psychedelic rockers the Ozric Tentacles in 1992.^[2] In 1993, the band were signed to Ultimate Records.

History

In 1993, Senser released two indie singles on Ultimate – "Eject" and "The Key".^[3]

In March 1994, Senser released their third single, "Switch", which entered the UK Singles Chart at number 39.^[3] Senser's first album, Stacked Up, was released in May 1994,^[3] and entered the UK Albums Chart at number 4.^[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.^[3] Al-Sayed and Morgan left to form a new band with Haggis called Lodestar.^[2] The remaining members of Senser found a new drummer, Paul Soden, and set about writing Senser's second album.^[3]

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.^[3] 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.^[5]

In 2013, they released their fifth album To the Capsules via Pledgemusic and toured with Erika Footman on vocals in place of Kerstin Haigh.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8]

In 2012, one of their songs was also used in the soundtrack to the film Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie.^[9]

Discography

Albums

Stacked Up (1994) Ultimate/A&M UK No. 4^[2]

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) Ultimate UK No. 73^[2]

1. Book of Flies
2. Charming Demons
3. Adrenaline
4. Strange Asylum
5. Burn Out
6. Desensitised
7. Breed
8. Lizard
9. Oyster
10. Weatherman

Asylum (Limited Edition) (1998) "Senser Vs. De:Senser"

1. Charming Demons (DJ "Awe" mix)
2. Eye Kaleid
3. Tried & Untested
4. Om (Harry Hogg mix)
5. Rows of People
6. Gabba Man

Parallel Charge (2001) Strike Back

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. No Comply
14. Desensitized

SCHEMAtic (2004) One Little Indian

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

How To Do Battle (2009) Imprint

1. Wake Up, You’re On Fire
2. Resistance Now
3. Brightest Rays
4. 2 3 Clear
5. Dictator Bling
6. End Of The World Show
7. Smoking Paranoia
8. Sandhurst in Zero G
9. So Refined
10. Hex
11. Fairytale
12. Lights Out
13. Arturo
14. Blind (iTunes Bonus Track)

To The Capsules (2013)

1. Devoid
2. Time Travel Scratch
3. Witch Village
4. Wounded Spectre
5. Break The Order
6. Alpha Omega
7. Liquidity
8. Echelon
9. Chemtrails
10. Let There Be War

Singles

• "Eject" (1993), Ultimate
• "The Key" (1993), Ultimate – UK #47^[2]
• "Switch" (1994), Ultimate – UK #39^[2]
• "Age of Panic" (1994), Ultimate – UK #52^[2]
• "Charming Demons" (1996), Ultimate – UK #42^[2]
• "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^[10]

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) (vocals/percussion, 1992–1995, 1999–present) He is of Saudi and English parentage; also associated with Fiend and (previously) Lodestar.
• James Barrett (bass, 1990–present)
• Kerstin Haigh (vocals/flute, 1991–2011, 2013-present)
• Nick Michaelson (guitar, 1990–present)
• John Morgan (drums, 1992–1995, 1999–present)

Former

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

References

1. https://www.soundspheremag.com/reviews/cd/cd-review-senser-how-to-do-battle/
2. Strong, Martin C. (1999) The Great Alternative & Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 0-86241-913-1, p. 551
3. Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 393. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
4. "SENSER | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
5. . Bringthenoiseuk.com. Archived from the original on 19 February 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
6. Wincott, Mark. "SENSER – To The Capsules". Metalmouth.net. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
7. "Stacked Up XX". Senser.com.
8. "State of Mind by Bomb :: pouët.net". Pouet.net. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
9. "Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie". Learninghebrew.wibbell.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
10. "Senser – Biting Rhymes". Discogs.com. Retrieved 17 April 2015.

Bibliography

• In Performance (New York Times)
• Rolling Stone Magazine - Transglobal Underground review^{[dead link]}

External links

• Official website