Still Searching is the second studio album by American rock band Senses Fail, released October 10, 2006 through Vagrant Records. A deluxe version of the record was released, containing a DVD with the making of the album. In the first month of sales the album sold 200,000 copies and had been the tenth best selling album at Best Buy that month.

Background

The album was recorded in the spring of 2006 at Phil Pirrone's house, and the band began playing songs from the album on the Warped Tour that Summer. It was mixed by Chris Lord-Alge.

Still Searching was the first album to feature newest guitarist Heath Seraceno, and the last album to feature long time bassist Mike Glita, who left the band in December 2007 to pursue his side project, Knights in Paris.

Still Searching is based on the fatigue and skin cancer that Buddy Nielsen, the lead singer of the band, suffered in the years before the album's release.http The record is a concept album, a story is told from the point of view of a character's stress and anxiety, including his battles with faith, alcohol, and depression. He eventually takes his own life in the track "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues"; a track in which leitmotifs from Can't Be Saved are heard. After a brief instrumental interlude ("Negative Space"), the final track, "The Priest and the Matador" tells of the dying character's refusal of spiritual help, and finally, his death.

Release history

A total of six bonus tracks and B-sides have been released with different versions of the album and its singles: The song "Stretch Your Legs to Coffin Length" comes with the digital download of "Calling All Cars" from the iTunes Store. Three acoustic bonus tracks are featured on a limited number of copies purchased from Best Buy. Target customers received a sticker atop their album covers for the download of two additional tracks ("Cinco de Mayo" and a live version of "Lady in a Blue Dress").

On November 13, Vagrant released a deluxe edition of the album. The re-release includes new artwork, the six bonus tracks and a behind the scenes DVD. The DVD includes over an hour of footage from their 2006 fall tour.

Personnel

;Senses Fail

*James "Buddy" Nielsen – ead vocals

*Garrett Zablocki – guitar backing vocals

*Dan Trapp – drums

*Heath Saraceno – guitar

*Mike Glita - bass, backing vocals

;Production

*Produced by Brian McTernan

References

Category:2006 albums

Category:Concept albums

Category:Vagrant Records albums

Category:Senses Fail albums

es:Still Searching

fr:Still Searching

Artist/Band Information

Senses Fail is an American rock band from Ridgewood, New Jersey, formed in 2001.

History

Formation and From the Depths of Dreams EP (2001–2003)

Senses Fail began in 2001 after Buddy Nielsen posted an advertisement on the Internet to recruit members for the band, but the band line-up was not complete till the following year. The advertisement attracted attention from Dan Trapp, only 15 at the time, who after reading the article contacted friends Dave Miller and Garrett Zablocki. The line-up was later completed by Tokyo Rose ex-drummer Mike Glita who filled the role of bassist in the band.

The band took their musical influences of punk and hardcore and mixed them with poetry, emotion, literature, religion, eastern philosophy and spirituality to create their own sound and image Retrieved on May 22, 2008 The name "Senses Fail" is derived from the Buddhist belief in Nirvana. Lead singer Nielsen explains, "In Buddhism, they believe that being alive is hell, and the only way to reach Nirvana is to ultimately have no attachments to anything. So, people go out and live in the middle of the woods and they don't eat and don't drink. They just meditate because they've reached such a high level where they're not attached to love, relationships or anything. And if you want to reach the highest level of being and see God, you have to have all your senses fail."

Building a local fan base by playing any gig they could find from skate parks and clubs to churches, Retrieved on May 22, 2008 they soon entered the studio and started to record. Their first release, From the Depths of Dreams, was a six-track EP that was originally released on ECA Records on August 16, 2002. It originally started as two three-song demo CDs, but was later joined together to make one release by producer John Naclerio. The independent release did very well and caught the attention of some record labels. They signed to Drive-Thru Records, and reissued their EP April 29, 2003 with two extra tracks, better mixing and new cover art. This release saw much success, and sold enough copies to peak at #144 on the Billboard chart. Retrieved on May 22, 2008 In support of the EP, Senses Fail toured with such bands as Finch, The Used, Millencolin, and The Starting Line.

Let It Enfold You (2004–2005)

Senses Fail started working on their debut album, Let It Enfold You in early 2004. During this time, lead singer and song writer Buddy Nielsen was 20. They worked with producer Steve Evetts (Saves the Day, A Static Lullaby, Every Time I Die) on their new label Vagrant Records. The lyrics are derived from a wide variety of sources. The title of the album was taken from a poem written by Charles Bukowski, the song "Irony of Dying on Your Birthday" is about the work of mythologist Joseph Campbell, and parts of the song "Slow Dance" include lines of the Dao De Jing. Nielsen stated that, "We just love making music and writing good songs. I feel like I've got a lot more to say and we've got a lot more to contribute. But even if things ended tomorrow, we've gotten 10 times further than we ever expected to get and that makes us feel like we've succeeded regardless of what happens from here on." Let It Enfold You was released on September 7, 2004 on Vagrant and Drive Thru Records. Retrieved on May 22, 2008 The album has sold over 300,000 copies. Retrieved on May 22, 2008

Let It Enfold You saw the release of two singles: "Buried a Lie" and "Rum Is for Drinking, Not for Burning." The music video for "Buried a Lie" was filmed on the set of a soap opera called "Guiding Light." Nielsen's mother shot the video and was also the link between Senses Fail and the soap as she used to act in the show. The release of the video started attracting mainstream success for the band. During this time period Senses Fail could be found in magazines such as Kerrang!, Rolling Stone, Spin and were even featured on the cover of Alternative Press.

The band toured extensively in support of the release. They were added to Warped Tour in 2004, 2005, and 2006, and 2009, and played on the main stage for the latter two editions of the tour. They were also included on the first Taste of Chaos tour in 2005 with such notable acts as The Used, My Chemical Romance, and Killswitch Engage. They also headlined a few tours of their own during this time with The Early November from Drive Thru and Emanuel from Vagrant.

The album was reissued in November 2005 with bonus tracks and new album art. In addition to the original track listing, it featured acoustic versions of songs from the album, an unreleased track, and a cover of Suicidal Tendencies' Institutionalized.

In 2005, the band's web site announced the departure, by mutual agreement, of guitarist Dave Miller. He was replaced by Heath Saraceno, previously the guitarist and vocalist of the band Midtown. Subsequent interviews with band members made it clear that Miller did not leave voluntarily. Miller started his own record label called DMI (Dave Miller Industries) in September 2006. Retrieved on May 22, 2008

Still Searching (2006–2007)

After taking a break from touring, and acquiring a new lineup, Senses Fail began to write their second studio album. The new album, titled Still Searching was produced by Brian McTernan (Thrice, Cave In) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge. This album eased up on the aggression on previous albums and showed more emotion. On the subject of the new songs, Nielson explained, "I like my lyrics to be open to interpretation, but I didn’t want to paint pictures of things no one was going to understand; I want our fans to be able to relate. At some point, we all start examining our lives. If you don’t, there’s something wrong with you."

In support of the new album, the band toured on the Taste of Chaos again. In 2006 they toured with the Taste of Chaos International, and in 2007 Senses Fail returned to North America for the 2007 Taste of Chaos tour. In the summer of 2007 they also participated in a few dates of the Zumiez Couch Tour alongside From Autumn to Ashes. They headlined in late 2006 with Saosin and Bleeding Through as supporters. On October 5, 2007, Senses Fail began a 33-city co-headlining tour with New Found Glory which started in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also in the tour was Set Your Goals. The tour ended on November 24, 2007 in San Diego, California.

On November 13, 2007, Senses Fail released a deluxe version of Still Searching, which featured new art, behind-the-scenes DVD featuring footage from the band's headlining tour last fall, two additional previously digital-only songs, three new songs, and a cover of The Cranberries's song 'Salvation'.

On December 8, 2007, Senses Fail's bassist Mike Glita left the band to pursue his side project Knights in Paris. Retrieved on May 22, 2008 He has announced, on Myspace, that he will join the band Vampire for Hire, now known as Love Automatic, and continue to pursue the side project.

The song Can't Be Saved, from this album, is featured in the game Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

Life Is Not a Waiting Room (2008–2009)

The band has finished their follow-up album to Still Searching. They played one show on January 24, 2008 in New York at the Knitting Factory. Jason Black of Hot Water Music played bass as a replacement for Mike Glita. Senses Fail played the Bamboozle Festival in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 4.

Their song "The Past Is Proof" was featured on the Punisher: War Zone soundtrack, and the song "Wolves at the Door" was featured on the video game Madden NFL 09.

The new album, Life Is Not a Waiting Room was released on October 7, 2008 through Vagrant. Absolutepunk.net. Retrieved on June 25, 2008.

The band announced through Myspace that it would begin a nationwide tour on October 8, 2008 in Richmond, Virginia. The tour also featured Dance Gavin Dance, Sky Eats Airplane and Foxy Shazam.http

On November 21, Senses Fail did an online interview with Ultimate Guitar based on the album's success.http

They co-headlined The Saints & Sinners Festival from February 24 through April 15 with Hollywood Undead. They were also added to the lineups for Bamboozle Left and Warped Tour.

Part of the album is featured in the iPhone OS game Tap Tap Revenge.

On June 30, it was announced that guitarist Heath Saraceno will be leaving the band after the 2009 Warped Tour, stating: "I've shared many great times with these guys over the past four years or so. We've made two records I'm very proud of, toured the world and the States countless times, and I've made friends with people I would not have met otherwise. These guys from Jersey (and Atlanta by way of Florida) have turned into some of my closest friends, and I will miss seeing them as often as I've been able to."

On May 10 via their Twitter and guitarist Garrett Zablocki's blog, the band have revealed that they're about to begin writing again for a new album.http

They released a new track for Vagrant Records' Guitar Hero pack called "The Martyr" on July 23.

On July 1, 2009, it was announced that Heath Saraceno had finally left the band. On September 4, 2009, it was announced via Garrett Zablocki's blog that Etay Pisano would be his temporary touring replacement.http

Senses Fail headlined a North American tour in fall 2009 with A Skylit Drive, Fact, and Closure in Moscow as support. During the tours stop at the Starland Ballroom on October 31, 2009 in Sayreville, New Jersey the band recorded their set for a future live album release.

The Fire (2010)

Senses Fail began work on their next record in January, 2010, as indicated on the band's new myspace banner.http They recently announced they hope to be in the studio by April and have the album released in early fall.http

They announced a series of shows in Japan in February 2010, marking the first time the band has played there since 2006.

In January 2010, the band posted Zack Roach as their new guitarist in their myspace bio section.

On January 28th 2010, the band posted a blog titled "Japan:Sorry" which stated that they could not get the proper documents to play there in February.

Complete Statement - "Unfortunately, we were unable to get the proper documents to play in Japan in February. Sorry! We'll make our way back there soon."

The band will be releasing a new album in 2010, according to their official website.

It was announced on May 8, 2010 that the band resigned with their label, Vagrant.

Senses Fail began recording their fourth studio album, The Fire, at Salad Days Studio with Brian McTernan in June 2010. A late 2010 release through Vagrant Records is expected. On the style and subject matter of the album, Nielsen had this to say: “The direction of the music is still developing but we have about 17 solid songs and based upon which ones turn out the best in the studio, they’ll determine the overall vibe of the record. This record is a reaction and a release of a whirlwind of emotions that came from fighting for what we love and dealing with change and growth both personally and creatively.”

Members

8 Foot Sativa is a New Zealand-based metal band formed in 1998. Their most famous single is their self titled song, "8 Foot Sativa", which was number one on M2's top 12 list for 12 weeks, and stayed on the chart for seven months. "" Muzic.Net.Nz. URL Accessed July 23, 2006. (M2 was a New Zealand late night Music Show.) The band has toured and released albums internationally, and have played alongside artists such as Soulfly, Korn, Slipknot, System of a Down, Children of Bodom, Disturbed, Motörhead, Pungent Stench, Shihad and Corrosion of Conformity."" Muzic.net.nz. URL Accessed November 28, 2006.

8 Foot Sativa have had many line-up changes with four in 2006, and one in 2007, claiming they've had "the line-up changes from hell"."" NZMusician.com. URL Accessed July 16, 2006.

__TOC__

History

Early days (1998-2002)

8 Foot Sativa started when Brent Fox and Gary Smith meet at Massey High School in Auckland, New Zealand."" Amplifier.co.nz. URL Accessed November 28, 2006. They both enjoyed metal music and started jamming together. Peter 'Speed' Young from Kelston Boys' High School joined the band as the drummer. 'Fat' Dave was on the bass guitar. In this lineup they were a cover band who would play covers by Pantera, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sepultura, Metallica and Slayer.

'Fat' Dave would often not turn up to practices, so Brent Fox moved from guitar to bass guitar. The band would meet their next vocalist Ari, at a music school they taught at where he was doing drums. Ari was the first vocalist to do original songs. He wrote the lyrics to the songs 'Fuel Set' , 'Kick it all Away' and 'Engine' . All of which would later end up on the Hate Made Me album.

During this time the band meet Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen at a mall. According to Gary Smith: "He used to sneak into the gigs and we'd sneak him beers". "" soundsnz.com. URL Accessed November 23, 2006. Ari disappeared, not to be seen by the band for a few years. Niessen then became the new vocalist.

Niessen is famed by many 8 Foot Sativa fans, for occasionally performing his vocals to the point of collapsing. This happened once on NZ music show SPACE while performing 'Destined to be Dead'. NZMusician.com claims that these collapses were due to, "shortage of breath attributed to a lack of vocal training". "" NZMusician.com. URL Accessed July 16, 2006.

Hate Made Me (2002)

In 2002, 8 Foot Sativa released their debut album Hate Made Me, and the album has since received gold status within New Zealand (To receive gold status in New Zealand the band must sell more than 7,500 copies). Shortly after the release of Hate Made Me, Young left the band reportedly citing 'musical differences'. He was replaced with Sinate drummer, Sam Sheppard.

This album features what is probably 8 Foot Sativa's most well-known song, the eponymous "8 Foot Sativa", which is a staple at their live shows. It also appeared in an episode of Monster Garage.

Season For Assault (2003)

In 2003, 8 Foot Sativa released their second album Season for Assault. It is nearing gold status within New Zealand. The album features the songs "Chelsea Smile" - a particularly well known song - and "Season For Assault".

Season For Assault sees 'Sativa lift their game to a whole new level with far more complex riffs and more insightful lyrics than on "Hate...".

Niessen resigned from the band two weeks before they were set to fly to Sweden to record their third album (Breed The Pain). The band was only singer-less for two days. Sam Sheppard's brother, and fellow Sinate member, Matt Sheppard became 8 Foot Sativa's new vocalist.

Breed The Pain (2005)

With a new vocalist, 8 Foot Sativa released their third album Breed the Pain in 2005. It was recorded at Studio Underground in Sweden. New vocalist Matt Sheppard wrote or co-wrote six of the songs on the album, and his girlfriend did the art-work.

Matt Sheppard and Sam Sheppard left 8 Foot Sativa after the Breed the Pain tour. They reformed their previous band, Sinate. They joined forces with 8 Foot Sativa's guitar technician Sean Parkinson and Antony "Colonel" Folwell from the band Reprobate.

Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen toured with the band temporarily from September 9 until September 17 playing a four concert tour around New Zealand. This tour also saw new-comers William Cleverdon, and Corey Friedlander join the band. Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen and the band pulled out songs mainly from Hate Made Me and Season for Assault, the albums which Niessen was in the band for.

Poison Of Ages (2007)

Ben Read, from New Zealand Death metal band Ulcerate and formerly of premiere hardcore band Kill Me Quickly, joined the band as the new vocalist. 8 Foot Sativa, went over to Studio Underground in Sweden again to record their new album titled Poison of Ages. However Corey Friedlander had injured himself so could not do the drum work on the album. Steven Westerberg, the drummer from Carnal Forge, did the session work for this album. William Cleverdon left the band shortly after this album was recorded.

In Mid 2006, William Cleverdon rejoined the band on second guitar. Corey Friedlander left due to personal reasons, and decided to primarily focus on his other band "Final Eve". Jamie Saint Merat, from Ben Read's other band Ulcerate, joined to replace Friedlander.

In October 2006 Brent Fox, an 8 Foot Sativa original, decided to leave the band because he wasn't enjoying it anymore. This leaves 8 Foot Sativa with only one original member in the lineup, Gary Smith. Fox was replaced by Rom Smith.

In January 2007 guitarist William Cleverdon went to a specialist about a nagging pain in his left wrist. The result was that one of his bones in his forearm was significantly shorter than the other one. This condition requires a lot of surgery and rehabilitation so Cleverdon had to leave the band. Christian Humphreys, a member of Rom's other band, New Way Home, replaced Cleverdon"" IntergalacticRecords.com. Message Board Post from Vocalist Ben Read Accessed April 7, 2007.

The album was originally meant to be released on May 8, 2006, however it was postponed due to a breached contract. Ben Read stated on the official forums's that the album would not be released until the band could put together $20,000 NZD." Intergalacticrecords.com The album finally got released on May 21, 2007.

The album features much heavier vocals than on previous 'Sativa works, with all or most of the lyrics written by Ben Read and Gary Smith. As well as this, the music takes on a heavier note, sliding into the realms of blackened death metal at some points.

2009

Gary Smith returned from injury to rejoin the band. Jamie Saint Merat left the band to relocate with his other band Ulcerate.

8 Foot Sativa, still working on a new unnamed album, released a new single called SleepWalkers. The video to this single is controversial as it follows a calf from the farm, to the freezing works showing it being killed, then chopped up by butchers, before being sold to a family in a supermarket. It does this in graphical disturbing way. It also shows pigs, and chickens being held in cages. A message at the end of the video states "Thousands of animals were harmed in the making of this video."

In July 2009, the band lost Romilly Smith on bass and gained Steve Boag of In Dread Response. Before heading to the studio to record the new still unnamed album. 8 Foot Sativa are to travel New Zealand performing final shows before the studio, joined by In Dread Response, New Way Home, Bloodletting, The Rest Is Silence.., and other various local acts across New Zealand

2010

8 Foot Sativa goes on hiatus for a period of indefinite time.

Taken from 8 Foot Sativa's myspace, written by Ben Read:

"This news may come as a bit of a shock, but there have been some huge changes over the last month. As most of you know, Gary has been struggling with an ongoing injury for quite some time that has made it difficult for him to play and tour. This has come to a head with a decision by Gary to put 8 Foot Sativa on hiatus for as long as it takes for him to recover. This has been a tremendously difficult decision for him to make, and we all support him 100%. However, the remaining 4 members (Corey, Christian, Steve and I) don't want to stop making music. So we have decided to form a new band and carry on without Gary. Again, this was not an easy decision to make, but a necessary one as we all really want to be playing music as much as we can.

So to sum up, Gary and 8 Foot Sativa are going on an extended break, with the rest of us leaving to start a new band called The Mark of Man, which have just signed to Deadboy Records. We have our self titled debut CD coming out mid year, so stay tuned.

Thanks so much for all the support throughout the years. It is appreciated more than you will ever know. Please continue to support 8 Foot Sativa in whatever carnation it re-emerges and, please take the time to check out The Mark of Man!"

Discography

Albums

Studio albums

* Hate Made Me (2002)

* Season for Assault (2003)

* Breed the Pain (2005)

* Poison of Ages (2007)

* Sleepwalkers (Single) (2009)

Tracks on various compilations

See also

* Sinate - The band Sam Shepphard & Matt Shepphard recreated, when they left 8 Foot Sativa.

* Ulcerate - Vocalist Ben Read & Drummer Jamie St. Merat's other band.

* The Mark of Man - The new band formed after 8 Foot Sativa's hiatus, with In Dread Response and Bloodletting Guitarist Andy Chandler

References