Interview with Senses Fail lead singer Buddy Nielsen

Senses Fail, a band around since 2002, has definitely made themselves noticed in the music scene. But while most people are listening to the music, many might not know what goes on inside the minds of these rockers. I got a chance to sit down with vocalist Buddy Nielsen during the 2009 Vans Warped Tour, and the answers I received may not be what some die hard fans would have expected. As many bands make music for their fans, Buddy made it clear that the music he writes is his own personal outlet, and fans are number two on his list of priorities.

So hows the tour for you guys so far?
Buddy: Good.

Have you made any new friends this time around?
Buddy: Some. Not really bands, but people that work on the tour.

What do you guys do when you’ve got time around here?
Buddy: Sit around. I mean I do press, and tour manage some. So tour management stuff. Do merch a little bit every now and then. And then we play, and we sit around and do nothing.

Is stage performance still a top priority, even in the hot weather?
Buddy: It’s not hot. It hasn’t been hot since Pheonix. Actually since Texas. This is great. This is amazing weather.

Do you draw any adrenaline from the crowd’s movements?
Buddy: Yeah. The show sucks if the crowd isn’t in it.

How much time do you spend with your fans?
Buddy: Umm… at least two hours. on Warped Tour.

Are your lyrics more personal, or for your fans?
Buddy: No, they’re for me.

What are you hoping people take from your music?
Buddy: Whatever they want. Really, honestly.

So doesn’t singing your heart wrenching lyrics on stage bring back those painful memories?
Buddy: No because once I write and release it, it’s not mine anymore.

What do you think is the biggest accomplishment for the band as a whole?
Buddy: Getting people to still like us after 7 or 8 years.