James “Buddy” Nielsen, 22, lead singer of the New Jersey-based hard rock band Senses Fail, is a bit distracted during a conversation just before the band?s upcoming tour.
That?s understandable when you consider the band has toured almost continuously since forming three years ago, working to build a fan base and following. “Time for relaxation has not been penciled in,” the group?s publicist Eddie Horn said in a statement.
While the constant shows have helped Senses Fail carve out a degree of success ? especially among the 15 to 25 crowd, a breakthrough single for the band, like a gold ring just out of reach of carousel riders, remains elusive.
“I think this is the most dynamic record we?ve done,” said Nielsen of “Still Searching,” their most recent release. “It?s more focused and flows as an album rather than a bunch of individual songs put together. … I like it.”
Here?s hoping the fans do, too. The band?s preceding album, “Let It Enfold You,” was seemingly lost in the shuffle at Geffen Records. So the band switched to L.A.-based Vagrant Records in the hopes that the label and a major publicity push would win them the coveted prize of success.
That could be a challenge because Senses Fail is tough to label. Some have defined Senses Fail as punk meets metal meets headbangers, with plenty of guttural screams and blazing guitars. While thegenre is popular, few major stars have emerged, and some question whether the genre is losing its base.
But the man who counts, Vagrant head Rich Egan, isn?t worried about the genre disappearing. “We just do what we do and try not to listen to the gatekeepers who say the 15 minutes are up on things,” Egan told Billboard.
Of course, Vagrant has worked magic with other tough-to-pigeonhole groups, such acts as Dashboard Confessional and the Lemonheads.
So for now, Nielsen and bandmates Heath Saraceno, Garrett Zablocki, Mike Glita and drummer Dan Trapp are back on the road.
“When people come to our show they should expect a lot of energy,” said Nielsen. “A lot of bands focus on smoke and mirrors. That?s not us. We don?t have props and dancers. We focus on the music.”
IF YOU GO
Senses Fail with Saosin, Alexisonfire, The Sleeping
» Venue: Rams Head Live, Baltimore
» Time: 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Thursday
» Tickets: $16.50 Advance, $20 Day of Show, www.ramsheadlive.com; 410-244-1131
