Rock as a genre is not one that's often associated with books and philosophy. But then again, not all rock acts are Senses Fail. Yes, they're rock music. Yes, they're classified as a hardcore, even emo band with the image attached to the status. But their music has also been hailed by critics as intelligent, as a thinking man's rock anthem. Now that's no run-of-the-mill rock band.

Senses Fail: Now Sense This

"We just love making music and writing good songs."

Rock as a genre is not one that's often associated with books and philosophy. But then again, not all rock acts are Senses Fail. Yes, they're rock music. Yes, they're classified as a hardcore, even emo band with the image attached to the status. But their music has also been hailed by critics as intelligent, as a thinking man's rock anthem. Now that's no run-of-the-mill rock band.

Senses Fail: From the Internet

Countless musical acts can trace the roots of their success to some MySpace page or web site featuring all their songs. This band, however, literally started on the WWW. In 2002, Buddy Nielsen - who would eventually become the band's vocalist - posted an online ad looking for band members. The same ad was seen by all the guys who would go on to form the band's very first lineup.

Dan Trapp, who was then just 15 years old, hearkened to the call as drummer. He then got in touch with friends Garrett Zablocki and Dave Miller, who both played rhythm guitar for the band. A year later, the lineup was finally completed with the arrival of Mike Glita, who formed rock group Tokyo Rose in 1999.

The name comes not from some previous heartbreak, but from the Buddhist belief that Nirvana or the harmonious state can only be achieved when one lets go of attachments, including the senses. This artistic philosophy of using philosophies would prove to be a successful formula for the band later on.

Senses Fail: No Failures Here

After playing at every gig they could find in their New Jersey area, SF released From the Depths of Dreams, a six-track EP, in 2002. This caught the attention of record companies, and they were soon signed to Drive-Thru Records. A reissued EP placed Senses Fail firmly on everyone's radar with a peak position of #144 on the Billboard charts.

Vagrant Records worked with the band for their debut album, Let It Enfold You, which began production in 2004. Their debut is an ideal example of the band's style when it came to philosophy and literature. A work from nihilist poet Charles Bukowski inspired the title, while the Chinese book on philosophy Tao Te Ching was a source for Slow Dance, one of the tracks.

Album releases are usually big events for artists, and the one for Let It Enfold You in 2004 did not disappoint. Aside from landing the band front and feature coverage on rock and alternative music magazines, that year also marked their first invitation to join the Warped Tour.

Dave Miller was replaced by Heath Saraceno in 2005, around which time the band began working on a sophomore album. Still Searching came out the following year, which Nielsen said he wanted to keep "open to interpretation." After releasing a deluxe edition of Still Searching in 2006, Mike Glita left to pursue other projects. Glita's post at bass guitar was taken by Jason Black.

Life is Not a Waiting Room came out in 2008, and was the band's biggest chart success. As of May 2009, the band had begun working on new material for a new album. Lead guitarist Heath Saraceno, however, announced his departure the next month. Meanwhile, the band continues to tour, and intends to make a live album out of an October 2009 live performance in New Jersey.

Did You Know That...

• ...their songs are featured on a number of games? Look for Can't Be Saved in Guitar Heroes III, or their songs from Life is Not a Waiting Room in the iPhone game Tap Tap Revenge.
• ...several songs were inspired by actual people? Scholar Joseph Campbell was the inspiration for Irony of Dying on Your Birthday, while a fan who died from cancer helped create Yellow Angels and Four Years.
• ...the act is a family affair? The video for Buried a Lie was shot on a New Jersey soap opera set where lead Nielsen's mother once worked.

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