Editing Senser

{{Short description|British rap rock band}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2017}}

{{distinguish|Censer|Censor (disambiguation){{!}}Censor|Censure|Sensor}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name                = Senser
| image               =
| caption             =
| image_size          =
| background          = group_or_band
| alias               =
| origin              = London, England
| genre               = {{Hlist|[[Rap rock]]|[[rapcore]]|[[alternative rock]]|[[rap metal]]|[[nu metal]]<ref>{{Cite web | title=CD Review: Senser - 'How To Do Battle' - Soundsphere magazine | url=https://www.soundspheremag.com/reviews/cd/cd-review-senser-how-to-do-battle/ | access-date=2025-01-08 | website=www.soundspheremag.com}}</ref>}}
| years_active        = 1991–1999, 2003–present
| label               = Ultimate, [[A&M Records|A&M]], [[One Little Indian]], Imprint Music
| website             = {{URL|senser.co.uk/}}
| current_members     = Heitham Al-Sayed<br />Kerstin Haigh<br />Nick Michaelson<br />James Barrett<br />John Morgan
| past_members        = Erika Footman<br />Paul Soden<br />Alan Haggarty<br />Andy Clinton<br />Steve Morton
}}

'''Senser''' are an English [[rap rock]] band, originally formed in South West London.

==History==
Senser were formed in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senser |url=https://www.youtube.com/user/senserband/about |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=YouTube |language=en}}</ref>

In 1992, they were joined by [[Spiral Tribe]] D.J, Andy Clinton.<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (1999) ''The Great Alternative & Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|0-86241-913-1}}, p. 551</ref> The band toured in support of psychedelic rockers the [[Ozric Tentacles]] in 1992.<ref name="Strong" /> In 1993, the band were signed to Ultimate Records.

In 1993, Senser released two indie singles on Ultimate – "Eject" and "The Key".<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=393}}</ref> The latter would appear on [[NME]] Singles of the Week 1993 album.<ref>{{Citation |title=Various - New Musical Express Singles Of The Week 1993 |date=1994 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/990017-Various-New-Musical-Express-Singles-Of-The-Week-1993?srsltid=AfmBOop2Q2Ok-lzcMlPwqsVbxWe8rTmSqrhaMa2xgQ1xws4i8gcYQhDl |access-date=2025-01-04 |language=en}}</ref>

In March 1994, Senser released their third single, "Switch", which entered the [[UK Singles Chart]] at number 39.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Senser's first album, ''Stacked Up'', was released in May 1994,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> and entered the [[UK Albums Chart]] at number 4.<ref name="Official">{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29288/senser/|title=SENSER &#124; full Official Chart History &#124; Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=21 July 2021}}</ref>

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.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> Al-Sayed and Morgan left to form a new band with Haggis called [[Lodestar (band)|Lodestar]].<ref name="Strong" /> The remaining members of Senser found a new drummer, Paul Soden, and set about writing Senser's second album.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>

In the summer of 1998, Haigh was able to tour and the band released the second album, ''Asylum''.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> Once again musical differences became apparent and by February 1999 the band decided to split.

In 2003, the original line-up reunited originally to perform for one show, but decided to re-form and record again. They released their third studio album ''SCHEMAtic'' in 2004. 

In 2009, they released ''How To Do Battle''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/200910/music/reviews/senser-how-to-do-battle |title=Senser – How To Do Battle " Bring the Noise UK |website=Bringthenoiseuk.com |access-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219022345/http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/200910/music/reviews/senser-how-to-do-battle |archivedate=19 February 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

In 2013, they released their fifth album ''To the Capsules'' via [[Pledgemusic]] and toured with Erika Footman on vocals in place of Kerstin Haigh.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wincott |first=Mark |url=http://metalmouth.net/2013/08/senser-to-the-capsules/ |title=SENSER – To The Capsules |website=Metalmouth.net |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.senser.co.uk/senser-merchandise-shop/stacked-up-xx/|title=Stacked Up XX|website=Senser.com}}</ref>

Although Senser have not released new music since 2014, as of 2024 the band still perform live shows.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lastdaydeaf.com/senser/ |title=Senser |publisher=Last Day Deaf |date=12 June 2018 |first=Sarah |last=Mederios |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.concertarchives.org/bands/senser |title=Senser Concert History |website=Concert Archives |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=26 |title=State of Mind by Bomb :: pouët.net |website=Pouet.net |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

In 2012, one of their songs was also used in the soundtrack to the film ''[[Learning Hebrew|Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learninghebrew.wibbell.co.uk/ |title=Learning Hebrew: A Gothsploitation Movie |website=Learninghebrew.wibbell.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>

==Discography==
===Albums===
{{columns-start}}
'''''[[Stacked Up]]''''' (1994) Ultimate/[[A&M Records|A&M]]
[[UK Albums Chart|UK]] No.&nbsp;4<ref name="Strong" />
:# 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

{{column}}
'''''Asylum''''' (1998) Ultimate
UK No.&nbsp;73<ref name="Strong" />
:# Book of Flies
:# Charming Demons
:# Adrenaline
:# Strange Asylum
:# Burn Out
:# Desensitised
:# Breed
:# Lizard
:# Oyster
:# Weatherman
{{columns-end}}

'''''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

{{columns-start}}
'''''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

{{column}}
'''''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
{{columns-end}}

{{columns-start}}
'''''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)

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

===Singles===
*"Eject" (1993), Ultimate
*"The Key" (1993), Ultimate – [[UK Singles Chart|UK]] #47<ref name="Strong" />
*"Switch" (1994), Ultimate – UK #39<ref name="Strong" />
*"Age of Panic" (1994), Ultimate – UK #52<ref name="Strong" />
*"Charming Demons" (1996), Ultimate – UK #42<ref name="Strong" />
*"Adrenalin" (1998), Ultimate - UK #85.<ref name="Official" /> #14 UK Independent Single Chart<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=1993-09-25 |title=SENSER |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/29288/senser/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Official Charts |language=en}}</ref>
*"Breed" (1998), Ultimate - UK #76.<ref name="Official" /> #9 UK Independent Singles Chart <ref name=":0" />
*"Weatherman", Ultimate – promo only
*''De:Senser'' EP (1998), Ultimate
*"The Brunt" (2004), One Little Indian - #33 UK Independent Singles Chart <ref name=":0" />
*"Bulletproof" / "Crucible" (2004), One Little Indian
*"Resistance Now" (2009), Imprint
*''Biting Rhymes'' EP (2011), Imprint – features hiphop covers<ref name=discogs />

===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 (band)|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==
{{Reflist|refs=<ref name=discogs>{{cite web|title=Senser – Biting Rhymes|url=http://www.discogs.com/Senser-Biting-Rhymes/release/3257851|website=Discogs.com|access-date=17 April 2015}}</ref>}}

==Bibliography==
* [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/25/arts/in-performance-pop-014895.html?sec=&spon= In Performance] (New York Times)
* [https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/transglobalunderground/albums/album/123274/review/6067714/international_times?source=transglobalunderground_rssfeed Rolling Stone Magazine - Transglobal Underground review]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.senser.co.uk/}}

{{Authority control}}
[[Category:English hip-hop groups]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from London]]
[[Category:Rapcore groups]]
[[Category:English rap rock groups]]
[[Category:Rap metal musical groups]]