Let's acknowledge things for what they are. I haven't done a site update for 6 months. Traffic has died and I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore. So let's be honest. I don't think the glory days of www.sensefield.net are coming back. But also let's not rule anything out. It's just now I'm focused on too many other priorities I'm trying to give my attention to. This site was always done on my free time (usually after midnight) and unfortunately my free time has dwindled to very little. Don't ever criticize someone for having too much free time, for he may well be a lucky man. I'm still here keeping my support for the Sense Field cause, but I can't promise anything with regard to reliability of updates.
Luckily, however, Sense Field has an official site that is updated regularly to keep all you little fans current on what's going on with the boys, where they will be playing next, how to get those cool Sense Field sweater jackets with hoods that you've seen all the popular people wear on the streets, as well as providing an efficient discussion forum for you to meet and converse with other little Sense Field fans like you meandering around the site. Some of them are crazy though, so watch out.
Ahhh, this site was so much fun, it's sad to let go, even a little. My intentions aren't to let go, but I already have been. So... what can you expect in the future for this page? Well, I like guitar and I was hoping to create some more tabs. So if for nothing else, check back here for some guitar tabs coming up. I hope to keep current on news and tourdates, but I insist you check with www.sensefield.com first on that stuff. Sense Field and company have always been very good to me in spite of my increasingly lax rate of internet updates. I hope to keep this place as active as I can.
Anyway, enough of all that nonsense, there's news to report.
Sense Field are back in the studio recording their next album. I hear it's coming along well. I'd love to get the inside scoop for you guys. We'll see what I can work out.
Also Sense Field will be releasing a track for a christmas compilation coming out from Nettwerk on Nov. 5, 2002. Sense Field's song is a cover of the John Lennon song "Happy Christmas (war is over)". Other artists on the compilation include: Jimmy Eat World, Phantom Planet, Bright Eyes, Coldplay, Ben Folds, Vanessa Carlton, etc. I reported on this over a year ago, but it looks like it will really happen this time.
This is now old news, but if any of you don't know, Sense Field guitarist and songwriter Rodney's 4 year old daughter Leilani was involved in a terrible rolling car accident that left her paralyzed from the neck down. Even worse, the news at www.sensefield.com states that,
| Leilani's care is considered to be long term and the cost of her treatments are expected to greatly exceed the amount of health insurance she has. A fund has been set up and if you'd like to contribute here is how: you can send a check or money order made payable to Leilani Gutierrez; the checks/money orders should be sent to: Leilani Gutierrez, c/o Globe Packaging, 179 E. 17th St., Box #400, Costa Mesa, CA 92627. If you'd like to send a card to Leilani, June & Rodney you can send it to their attention c/o Sense Field, 3940 Laurel Cyn, #165, Studio City, CA 91604. Thanks again to all of you. |
Comrades, our soldiers bring us good news. The music industry's best kept secret has been exposed. Lots of things have happened since me and you had our last 1 on 1 conversation. Since January, Sense Field has had their song "Save Yourself" played on major radio stations all across America and Europe. The song has been included on the soundtrack for the Roswell TV series, a video has been made for the song occasionally showing on M2 with hopes that it'll go into rotation on MTV. The boys have been making appearances at radio stations across the country and even joined (my one time idol) Craig Kilborn on his late late show (after David Letterman) to play their new "hit" song. And Sense Field was added to the line up for the soundtrack of the upcoming blockbuster Spiderman movie, only to be removed at the last minute, for political reasons (the soundtrack's label only wanted their bands on there). I tell you this last bit to wrench your hearts a little. But it's still good news to know that they were so close to scoring that, meaning they've come a long way from their virtual obscurity less than a year ago. Now when I walk down the street and speak with random people, they not only know who Sense Field are, but can sing me their song, with animated enthusiasm. Things are definitely positive.
But's that all old news now. Tomorrow Sense Field will be playing the Boarding For Breast Cancer Festival in Lake Tahoe, CA. On Monday night (4/15) you will see Sense Field play "Save Yourself" on Jay Leno's Tonight Show on NBC. Check here for info on how you might attend. And a new tour has been set up for the West coast and some MidWest dates opening for the Goo Goo Dolls, to be followed with some shows in Europe. Check the tour section for the dates. More European dates are to be added and a US East Coast tour is being planned to follow. Also, the guys are going a little out of their way to make it to a Salt Lake City show by special request. If you live anywhere in the general vicinity of the state, make sure to get to the show as they might not be back in the area for a while. Sense Field is also currently playing on the second half of SP Radio One two hour online broadcast show airing every 2 hours until April 20. Click here to listen. Currently the band is focusing on their upcoming tour. I will post any other news that might come up. Really, I will.
New Fans, Click Here for a primer I wrote
Any of you older fans who may be upset by Sense Field's recent exposure, let me just say that I can understand, but don't agree. I know no one likes seeing something they hold uniquely special exposed to those who can't understand, who can only criticize, but this is not a simple case of throwing pearls before swine. The music audience now discovering Sense Field aren't just swine and many genuinely appreciate the voice Sense Field brings to the music industry. Whatever your opinion of the MTV culture and standard radio music audiences, it can never get better if quality bands are shunned from exposure by their own fans who don't want to see their bands mixed in with music they look down on. Anyone who genuinely wants to see the state of mainstream music improve should applaud anytime a higher quality band gets thrown in the mix. Besides, a large portion of the new fans happen to be female; so thank the Sense Field gods for what they have provided, and go make some new friends at the shows.
This band has long deserved promotion. Call, email and even hand write to your local radio station regularly to request Sense Field's "Save Yourself". Here's some influential links to start your requests:
http://www.kroq.com
http://www.star987.com/8at8.html
http://www.mtv.com/onair/trl/votevideo.jhtml
till next time...
... and Judd awoke from his slumber... and all the land trembled in fear...
A few things...
This site is not dead and will never die. He's just been a little sleepy lately. He apologizes for oversleeping 2 months.
TONIGHT there will be a very special (not so) secret GUEST LIST ONLY Sense Field show in Los Angeles at "Moomba" in West Hollywood on 665 N. Robertson Blvd between Melrose and Santa Monica. This show will be filmed for a possible showing on an upcoming VH1 special on rising bands. Would you like to be on this Guest List??? Well, send an email with quickness to sensefieldlist@yahoo.com and they will debate your worthiness to be on said limited list. Odds are they will have pity on you and allow you to attend. But you must hurry with your requests, and this cannot be stressed enough. It will be at 7pm sharp, no one will be admitted after that, so come early. And since this show will be filmed for a possible showing on VH1, you are encouraged to show your excitement and enthusiasm, sing along, have some energy. And since it will be at such a small intimate setting, you may be able to pester and annoy the band members after the show with endless questions and praise. Of course, they may not enjoy that, but just tell them that Judd said it was ok.
Filming for a music video for "Save Yourself" will begin soon. No word yet on its director or style. The song is expected to be played on radio stations around January.
On December 21st Sense Field will be headlining another Los Angeles show at the El Ray Theatre. This is a large and rather nice venue. And make certain that you don't miss the opening bands, which are Jonah's OneLineDrawing, The Killingtons, and Open Hand. Open Hand will be going on first, but make absolutely certain not to miss them. They are probably my favorite unsigned band at the moment, and they put on a great live show. I like them so much I've made 3 lengthy audio clips for you kids to hear (low quality so slow modems can play it):
Life As Is The Dream 11th Street
It's a big place. Let's do what we can to fill it with bodies.
Reports from the last tour were that Sense Field are putting on their best shows ever lately. Don't miss an opportunity to see them if you can help it.
Sense Field also plans to visit their European fans sometime around late January/February. More on that soon...
Let's Party
Tonight is Sense Field's record release party/show at the Troubadour in Hollywood. You will be able to purchase as many copies of their new album "Tonight and Forever" as you'd like if you couldn't find it elsewhere, and you will also receive a free "Fun Never Ends" EP that includes two great non-album tracks "On Your Own" and "A Fire Inside You". This is the only place in Southern California where you will be able to receive this worthwhile "Fun Never Ends" EP.
Tonight should be a fun show, bring friends. The band members will be around to speak to and autograph your albums. Besides, I'll be there. If you don't know, my name is Judd, I have a lot of hair lately, and I'll be holding a digital camera I'll use to take pictures of the band and their fans to place on this website. If you would like to say hello and maybe even get a special picture taken, just ask a band member to point me out.
Make sure that if you're under 21 that you do not drink any alcohol at the Troubadour. Trust me, it's not worth it.
Tonight should be a good night. Sense Field will be there. I'll be there. I hope to see some of you kids there having a good time.
Also make sure to get there early to see two great opening bands, "The Revolution Smile" and "Sunday's Best".
Sense Field's "Tonight and Forever" out Today!!
The official website at www.sensefield.com is now up. Go check it out. It looks clean and smooth and has a really interesting and fun visual biography. I was planning to do something like that a long time ago, but you know...
Unfortunately the UK and German release date for "Tonight and Forever" has been pushed back to October 22. The US release date remains unchanged at September 25.
The 7" Fun Never Ends single (with the new non-album Sense Field song "A Fire Inside You" as a b-side) from C.I. Records has been set back to a very limited release on September 4.
And word on the street is that Justin Roy (of the other Sense Field website fame) has done the artwork for the 7inch and its posters and labels (during sleepless nights while working on his finals and other jobs he was hired for). Way to go Justin. By the way, he's for hire and you can check out his cool portfolio site at http://www.jrdesigns.iwarp.com
Oh, I got to hear that "A Fire Inside You" song once. Its a cool song and I remember thinking it reminds me more of their Reason to Believe days than Sense Field's recent stuff. The most "punk" sounding song I've heard from the guys.
There's also some very important info regarding the Troubadour record release party and how to get ahold of the promotional (and not for sale) Fun Never Ends EP in the August 25th Sense Field newsletter. Sure, I suppose I could retype all the important info in the news, but you can just go read the newsletters by clicking here.
Make sure you check up on the tour section. There's been a couple updates.
Speaking of... These guys from this band called Estella kept emailing me to add them to the tour section as one of the opening bands. I finally checked out their site and loved the songs I downloaded; there's some good potential. Female vocal driven, but can take care of business. Transitions well from beauty to kick ass and back again. The Long Pause is a great song and I'd recommend checking out the band and their site.
So... if you're in one of the supporting bands on Sense Field's tour (or if you have any other kind of info to give me), send me an email and let me know.
Tour Dates are set. The boys are coming to town. Check the Tours section for a Sense Field show near you. If you don't see any dates for shows near you (or within 8 hours driving distance) don't worry as a lot more US tour dates are being set in November and December.
Here is the album cover art. As far as I know, this is final.
There's going to be a live chat with Jon (singer) and Chris (guitarist) at the Yahoo Official Sense Field Club on Thursday, July 19 at 7:30pm Pacific Time. You must be registered with the club to join the chat, which is simple. Simply register with Yahoo to get a Yahoo ID (you can do so here). Then click here to go to the club, and join it. And when 7:30pm Pacific on July 19th comes around, go to the club and click "chat" from the left. Ask the band members questions, have fun, give 'em hell.
A small correction. Apparently Parlophone is Sense Field's UK label, not necessarily their European label.
The album has just been licensed out to EMI Germany who will also be releasing the album on the 25th of September. And apparently the album has also been licensed to an Australian label. I'm not quite sure which and if they'll also have it out on September 25th. However, when a band gets licensed out to labels in other countries, where there'll be a staff promoting the album in that country, the band is often obligated to do some touring over there, so there's a good chance you'll get to see Sense Field live if you live in a country that the album has been licensed to.
Sense Field will be making some kind of short documentary/behind the scenes/biography kind of thing. The short movie should be streamed on the official site whenever it comes around.
Here's 2 more Official Newsletters:
Newsletter 5 - Newsletter 6
And last but definitely not least, there's some great new Sense Field fansites coming around.
There's a beautiful one by Justin Roy at www.sensefield.iwarp.com. It's obvious his design skills are far superior to mine (which I'm not claiming much about), and I'm not exaggerating when I say that his site is one of the best looking fan sites I've ever seen (don't let this go to your head Justin. Ah hell, go ahead). I'm very impressed.
Jason Bader, a graphic designer, has also begun creating a Sense Field site at www.electricimagination.com/sense/index.html. His mainly has an interesting flash interface for the time being, but it looks very promising. I'm excited to see what he'll do with it. Also, while perusing his site at http://www.electricimagination.com I found some artsy poetic film short he did about "Outlive the Man". It's very cool and you should check it out by clicking here (quicktime 4.3mb).
And there's also another site done by some girl named Amanda which you can check out at http://www.angelfire.com/stars3/sensefieldrock/
Things are looking good. If anyone else plans on doing a Sense Field site, let me know, and I'll check it out and link it. Remember, if you design a site and do a good job, you could win Sense Field tickets for life. How cool is that!
And by the way, some of you may have noticed that this site was down for 2 days, a couple of days ago. Everything should be fine now with my server, otherwise I'll personally head down to my hosting company and start kicking some ass.
Incorporating some live shots into the album artwork is being considered, and you can get involved. If you've ever taken any live shots of Sense Field that you think came out fantastic, you may be able to get them into the insert for "Tonight and Forever" and have your name credited inside. You can either email jpg or tif pictures of at least 300 dpi to Sensefieldlist@yahoo.com, or you can mail your photos to:
Sense Field Pictures
c/o Nettwerk
8730 Wilshire Blvd., #304
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
And see what happens...
Nettwerk Records is going to be putting out a Christmas album, which is a compilation of songs from artists signed with their label and management. Sense Field will be contributing a cover of John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)". No word yet on its release date, but I assume it'll be ready before Christmas.
Also... the band wanted to say how much they appreciate you guys for sticking by them through everything. If you ever want to drop them a line about anything, you can send an email to denseflies@aol.com. Also, I do know that a few band members do check the message board here regularly, so you can leave them your thoughts there, and it should be received.
Album title set: Tonight and Forever
Release date set: September 25
The album is finished. Again, the label promoting Sense Field and their new album in North America is Nettwerk Records. However, Sense Field has just been enlisted with Parlophone Records to promote the band and album in Europe. Both Nettwerk and Parlophone will be releasing the album on September 25 (in exactly 3 months). Apparently Parlophone Records is a premier European label with European distribution of such diverse acts as The Beatles, Radiohead, Queen, Coldplay, Blur, Sparklehorse, Tina Turner, Beastie Boys, Joe Cocker, Everclear, and many more. And I hear that Parlophone Records likes the new album a good deal and is excited to have Sense Field on board. It's good to know that the album's European distribution should be well taken care of.
I've also heard that some radio stations have already taken interest in the band and that this new album may get some good radio play. A (as yet undetermined) single should be released to radio in late August. And hell, if the band starts to take off, radio stations might start to play some of Sense Field's earlier material. I always thought "Building" had their most radio accessible stuff.
Ken Andrews only mixed 3 of the songs on "Tonight and Forever" which are "Fun Never Ends", "Save Yourself" and "What Never Dies". Other than that the album is completely self produced and financed by the band.
Sense Field will be doing a show opening for Coldplay and Sparkelhorse at this year's CMJ Music Festival in New York on September 16. The venue hasn't yet been confirmed. The boys will be touring the east coast a bit before and after the CMJ show, for about two weeks. After the album is released, they'll be doing some west coast shows for about a week. They'll attack the rest of the country and perhaps even Europe shortly thereafter.
An official site to be placed at www.sensefield.com is being created, but in the meantime that address simply points here to www.sensefield.net; however there is an official Yahoo club located at:
http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/officialsensefieldclub
The person running the Sense Field Club also coordinates the Sense Field Mailing List. The Club has been updated more frequently than this site has been lately and she's put out a whopping 3 email newsletters since my last update (damn she's making me look bad). So I definitely suggest you join the Sense Field Yahoo club and Mailing List, just in case this place starts to slip with current info. You can read each of the newsletters at the Sense Field club or here:
Newsletter 1 - Newsletter 2 - Newsletter 3 - Newsletter 4
A Sense Field street team is being set up all over the country. If you are interested in becoming a part of that, send an email to Sensefieldlist@yahoo.com and you'll be given further instruction.
The official club/mailing list/whoever is also holding a contest to develop Sense Field sites. The webmasters of the two best sites developed by July 31st will win Sense Field tickets for life. I'd just like to say that I support this. This place is just a hobby of mine, and I couldn't be happier that I did it. But my site is kind of lonely. It needs friends. Friends it can look up to and admire. More Sense Field sites doesn't mean I'll be gone, it'll only mean that I'm not the only one speaking up. I like that idea. If you're interested in making a site feel free to email me if you'd like help with anything. HTML code is very easy to learn, and doing a band site is often one way many people first learn how to make a web page. If you don't know the first thing about HTML or web design first check out this ten minute guide to learning HTML and then check out www.webmonkey.com and www.stars.com to refine your new skill. This path is how I went from no knowledge of web design to finishing this site 10 days later. Sense Field tickets for life is a good perk, but the real reward is in knowing that your work is seen (and hopefully enjoyed) by all those Sense Field fans. Anyone who does a site will get linked from here. If you do a good job you may earn some good traffic. If you do a really good job, people will know you by name and sing your praises every night before sleep, you know... kind of like what everyone does with me.
by the way... the server for this site had some problems in the last 10 days and no one was able to post on the message board, nor was I able to upload anything for an update. Everything is fixed now and you should be able to use the message board freely.
Ken Andrews of "Failure" and "On" will be mixing (not producing) some of the songs on the upcoming Sense Field record (really, it's a complete coincidence that I just happened to mention him last update). Chris (guitarist/current producer) is a fan of Ken Andrews' work and decided to hand over some of the reigns to him. And I hear that Andrews thinks very highly of Sense Field's new work. Ken Andrews was made famous for leading the 'texture' rock band "Failure" which not only had some good albums but did a kick ass cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" (I even uploaded the mp3 because I like it that much), and now he's working as "On" doing some electronic Rock.
Also, I had made some errors about the new songs in my last update. Beatle Song is spelled with an "A". Living Daylights was a working title but that song is now called "No Longer Now". And that other song is called "Here Right Here" not "Here, it's here" (I'm getting old, my memory's fading). Oh, and the new "In Election" is called "Waiting for Something". I'm sure you're all thoroughly confused, so here's a list of the tracks slated for the album in no particular order (this is NOT final and could very well change at the band's discretion).
Weight of the World (the new "Open Heart Surgery")
Waiting for Something (the new "In Election")
Fun Never Ends (the new "One More Time Around")
Beatle Song
Here Right Here
What Never Dies
No Longer Now
Love Song
Emergency Exit
Am I a Fool?
Are You Okay?
Save Yourself
I'm told that "War of the Worlds", "The Horse is Alive", "Welcome Me", "To End a Letter" and "What Difference Does It Make?" will not be on the new album. "The Horse is Alive" will definitely be re-recorded at a future date, however I don't know one way or the other about those other songs.
Another reason the band gave for why they changed some songs so dramatically was that they had been recording this last album for Warner Bros. for the last couple years and the prospect of going back into the studio to re-record everything the same as it had been before seemed very daunting. Sense Field are musical creators, not replicators. To be excited about recording the whole album again from scratch they needed to be able to challenge themselves with further creative input. I'm sure if Leonardo Da Vinci had to completely replicate one of his masterpieces with no further creative input, he wouldn't be too excited about that either.
Don't tell anyone I told you this but... the rumor spreading about Sense Field doing a split 7inch with Coldplay is accurate. But it's just being talked about, nothing has been confirmed. The idea is that both bands will submit one song for a split 7inch. Whether those songs will be new or album tracks, I don't think anyone knows. Whether or not the project will develop into a split cd with a couple songs from each band isn't known, but maybe if we pressure the bands and label enough, who knows...
Lots of News!!!
I know, I know... sorry about my absence. But things are rocking with Sense Field right now, where to start?
New Album
Rob came back to LA a couple weeks ago (he lives in New York) to finish up the awaiting drum tracks for the upcomming album, and with that the recording was finished. Now, it is currently being mixed. I was able to get a one time hearing of a couple of the unmixed songs and (...long pause to build up a little bit more anticipation...) oh man they sound so awesome! And shocking! You will be shocked I say! So much has been completely changed.
First, some of the songs we've already come to know now have completely different lyrics, vocal melodies, slightly altered song structure, and new titles. I'm not sure just how many songs this has happened to, but One More Time Around, Open Heart Surgery, and In Election are no more. The new "One More Time Around" is now called (at least tentatively) "Fun Never Ends" and despite it's title, it sounds very serious. The new version is just so fucking awesome, it definitely blows the other version away. This is the heaviest song I've ever heard from Sense Field. Very powerful. It has my vote for a single. The new "Open Heart Surgery" is called "Weight of the World" and has a very epic sense to it. To me it sounds like a grand rock classic. It will be another highlight of the album. And I don't know what the new "In Election" will be called, but most of the old lyrics and vocal melodies have been changed, and the music has a lot more interesting things to it, like melodies that weren't there before, a crunchy palm muted guitar in certain places, etc. It sounds more like an orchestrated composition than a simple rock song.
Also, there are several new songs. I'm not sure which songs will make it on the album and which will be left for b-sides and compilations, but some of the new songs are (at least tentatively titled) "One Never Dies", "Beetle Song", "Here, it's here", and "Living Daylights". I think there may be a couple more new ones.
I've only heard a few of the songs once, so it's hard to make any kind of judgement before it's been fully mixed, but I could already hear that the production sounds much better than the Warner album. It sounds a lot more interesting and more appropriate to the band. It's edgier in parts where it should be edgier, and even more beautiful in those softer parts. Save Yourself has this very calm aural space to it. While "Fun Never Ends" makes you want to thrash around. Chris (guitarist) has done an amazing job producing this album.
All in all, this is a very different album than what was recorded for Warner. It has more energy. Most of it is the same songs, but a very different take on a bunch of them. There will be a lot for everyone to get used to, especially as so many have already memorized their copies of the mass bootlegged unreleased Warner album. The band is aware that many will ask "Why did you change things?", and they are ready, armed and waiting to fire back with "Because this is the way we like it". The reality is that they've had other ideas for the songs, and since they were re-recording the album again by themselves from scratch, they then had an excellent opportunity to pursue and develop other ideas they may have had for a song. And so they did things differently, all on their own accord. I love the song "Open Heart Surgery" and I asked Jon about why it was changed, and he said that "Open Heart Surgery" will always have a place in his heart (I know that sounds strange), but the band as a whole felt better about "Weight of the World". Yes, the new Sense Field album should spark some controversy among the fans.
The band is much prouder of this new album than the one they did under Warner. And while advance copies of the unreleased Warner album will always exist and aren't bad, the band feels so much better about what they now have, and they'd like to make it clear that their full support goes to the new album, and that this is how they intend the album to be. And most of all, they are now very excited about its possibilities. Which leads me to...
NEW LABEL!!!
From out of the murky grey depths of the current music industry comes a shining red beacon of light. Nettwerk Records has just officially signed Sense Field to their label. While Nettwerk had been interested in Sense Field for a while, it hadn't been until just recently, after the label heard the new album in production, that Sense Field signed with them. I hear that the people at Nettwerk are very excited to have Sense Field on board and claim a release date in Late August/Early September! I'm guessing we can realistically expect it in September.
Now a little word about Nettwerk. They are an indie label, but they happen to have some major pull. Much of their past reputation lies in electronica and industrial acts, with such bands as Skinny Puppy, Front 242, BT, Delerium (I VERY highly recommend Delerium's latest two albums "Karma" and "Poem"), those techno "Plastic" compilation volumes, and even Sarah McLachlan(?). Lately the label has ventured more into the rock scene by recently signing on with bands like Coldplay (at least west of the atlantic), Gob, and now Sense Field. As a side note: Gob is a modern punk band from Canada (reminiscent of Get Up Kids and Blink 182) who apparantly are very big fans of Sense Field and may have been instrumental in getting Nettwerk interested. If you check Nettwerk's Management page you'll see that the label also works with a diverse range of acts from Barenaked Ladies to Dido to Moist. They even have a huge list of producers on board, some having worked with many major acts. Interestingly they even have Ken Andrews, the guy who founded the group "Failure". So while it's very likely that you may not have heard of Nettwerk records, you've definitely heard the product of their work everywhere.
I can't possibly think of a better label for Sense Field to sign with. The label has more than proved their capabilities by bringing Coldplay from out of nowhere to the west, and in a short period of time they developed a very well known and respectable status for the band. And in all honesty, what other major American label would have taken a chance with something like Coldplay given the musical climate last fall? (It was a big coincidence that I made a big deal about coldplay in my last update, and whether or not that had any effect on Nettwerk wanting Sense Field, I will always wonder...) And now Nettwerk is excited about their possibilities with Sense Field, and Sense Field is also very excited about the possibilities of their new album with Nettwerk Records. There is now a definite possibility that Sense Field won't remain the music industry's best kept secret for long.
And that brings up another point. I know there's controversy over whether or not fans want Sense Field to become famous. I'd like to make it clear that so long as the band's musical integrity remains intact, this page fully supports the promotion of Sense Field into whatever level of fame they can rise to. I can only see allowing more people to discover great music as a very good thing. This page will be inclined towards promoting the band's success, not by bringing Sense Field to the masses, but by bringing the masses to Sense Field. You got a problem with any of that, you talk to me. Or you can argue about it on the Message Board.
And there should be some touring early fall when the album is finally released. Tour dates will be posted when I receive them.
And while usually this is the place to be for up to date inside info (*wince at the thought of lack of updates*), Sense Field now has a new mailing list that you can join, and it has already sent out its first email newsletter from the band, which you can read here. You can sign up for the new mailing list by sending your name, address and e-mail address to Sensefieldlist@yahoo.com, and they'll start sending you stuff.
And finally, for those of you that have been good, there's an mp3 of Beetle Song played live at the Troubadour last October in the Audio/Video section. I believe it's recorded from a hand recorder in the audience, but I still think it sounds good. It's a fun upbeat punkier new song giving you an idea of a direction Sense Field has gone in on the new album. Also I have 3 more mp3s of songs Rodney (guitarist) has done independantly with his personal 4 track, which are very nice. Everything's available in the Audio/Video section. There was another special treat I was trying to get for you guys, but it'll have to wait till much later.
See... I still love you guys. I didn't abandon anyone.
Sense Field is picking up steam right now, and you should be able to count on this page for more continuous updates. Don't forget to keep checking the message board for news and opinions from others.
The boys are in the studio re-recording their songs from scratch. I hear that everything is going very well, that things are sounding very good and they're having more fun recording this time around than before; perhaps this will reflect on the album's sound. Chris (guitarist) is producing and I'm told he is doing a great job. Since the band is producing their own songs this time, the songs should sound different than the advance copies that have been floating around everywhere. There should be a different tracklist, this time with a couple brand new songs. I'll let you all know once I find out the actual decided track list. The versions of the songs that many of you heard on the often bootlegged advance cds will never be officially released, and so if you have an advance cd, keep it around, it's a collector's item.
Sense Field plans to play some shows once they're finished up in the studio and ready to release the album. Earlier they were considering playing some east coast shows around now, but have decided strongly that their first priority is to finish up the recording of their album, and any touring will come later. The album is long overdue and the band has been eager to put it out for a very long time. I'd like to point out that despite all of the band's frustrating setbacks, they have never stormed into a label's corportate office toting machine guns and attitudes of vengeance. It takes a certain level of maturity to shift focus from blame and revenge and to focus instead on what needs to be done and how to go about doing it. Right now they're re-recording the songs on their own so that they will own the rights to them and won't be so much at the mercy of a label in the future.
As far as Sense Field's label situation, I really don't know too much of what's going on. I suppose the band is speaking with some labels, but I don't believe anything has been set in stone and determined yet. My only hope is that the label they choose to sign with understands the band for what they are, that the fans love them for what they are, and that because of what they are they have been a strong inspiration to many. I would like to bring attention to the new album "Parachutes" by the new band "Coldplay" (perhaps my favorite album of 2000) which fits in a similar genre as the unreleased Sense Field album. Coldplay now receives regular radio play in the US, their shows (and the added extra shows) have all sold out rapidly, they have made their way to many top ten lists, and the band is quickly becoming a household name; all within the 2 and a half month period since their album came out last November in the US (not to mention that this is a new band with no prior name recognition or fanbase in the states). As far as I'm concerned, the success of Coldplay's album is a slap in the face of that great part of the music industry that thought there was no significant audience capable of enjoying music beyond the level of Kid Rock or N'SYNC. Not only is there a market for this genre of music, but that market is huge and desperate for it. Coldplay provided a breath of fresh air to the music industry that Sense Field would have provided a year and a half ago (if Warner had its shit together). Not that there aren't many other great bands that have released things recently, but that it's rare for a band like Coldplay to be given that kind of a chance and get promoted so well (I haven't seen it since maybe Jeff Buckley), and hopefully this can help forge a path for other bands who intelligently and artfully put a lot of feeling, passion and sincerity into their music.
Does Sense Field need to sell millions to be successful? No, they've written great music that has inspired many and spread far by word of mouth. The fact that their music exists as it does makes them a success. But, I was watching some of VH1's 100 greatest albums of all time countdown the other day. There were many great bands and albums listed, and I realized that there's absolutely no good reason why Sense Field's albums shouldn't be up there, recognized in their rightful places among other great albums. I would love to believe that there's a label out there that can recognize the potential and market of this band and have the courage to push at least one Sense Field song to take over the airwaves. We'll see... My vote is for "The Horse Is Alive".
And would you believe... there's still some new limited pressing Sense Field 7inches available from C.I. Records. There are only 1500 copies of these ever pressed. You can pick up the new 7inches and the new split ep with Jonah's OneLineDrawing at C.I. Records.
At the message board on this site, Jon Bunch has informed us that the denseflies@aol.com address is back in working order and that he will try to answer everyone. I thought this pretty ambitious since he is still relatively new to the computer and types about 3 words an hour. So if you have something to say to the band, go ahead and send an email to denseflies@aol.com. Don't demand a response, but I'm sure Jon will at least enjoy reading whatever you have to say.
And it seems as though Sense Field has received the rights to www.sensefield.com back from Warner. Looks like the Warner Sense Field site is no more. I am told by mysterious secretive sources that Sense Field will be putting up an official site there. When will this be? Damned if I know. But I hope whoever does the site makes it nice. It's a fact on the internet that official sites usually pale in comparison to unofficial sites, but should the official site be even better than this site, I'll only be glad since this band deserves what they can get, however, I'm sure I'll still be competitive.
To clarify, this site is not, and probably never will be an official Sense Field site. It's a fan site completely run by one fan (an unconventional one at that). Do not mistake the words said here as the words of the band, because they have no idea what will come out of my mouth (unless otherwise stated).
I'm sorry about my absence and delay in updates lately; I was having trouble adjusting to suddenly becoming an international superstar, but now I think I've got it down pat. This site should now be getting back into the swing of things, especially as activity with the band picks up.
As of December 30, 2000, this fansite is 1 year old. At the moment this site is but a fledgling infant (a resourceful one however), but one day he shall rise up and become a man, ruling the internet with an iron fist.
Until then, if everything goes right, those of you who have been patient can expect a very special treat coming very soon.
More details to come...
It looks like Life and Love has got competition! Ironically enough from a girl who's email address is lifeandlov@aol.com. A girl by the name of Tara (she's cool, you can probably meet her at SoCal Sense Field shows) has recently set up her own Sense Field site (which she describes as a work in progress). Tara did put up some cool photos on the site. And she even got a little controversial by putting up lengthy clips to Sense Field's unreleased album. I stayed away from doing that because I didn't want to deal with any legal trouble from Warner. But you can listen to the clips on her new Sense Field site.
I don't mind the competition however. Maybe it'll help get my ass back in line. I see more Sense Field sites as only a good thing and a helpful step towards world domination. So I encourage anyone to do their own tribute to Sense Field site (if only as practice towards learning how to do a website). The rewards for doing a Sense Field site are phenomenal. You meet many great people. You get to vent your thoughts on unsuspecting visitors. You feel the pride of accomplishment. And besides, you get all the hot bitches ;)
If you didn't yet know... Rob (the drummer) is in another band called Uptown Sinclair. They're a difficult to describe fun modern rock band with retro leanings. Not very much like Sense Field. You can find out more info on the band at their new site at www.uptownsinclair.net. You can also find out about their history by reading their email newsletter sent out last month which was written by their eccentric and very funny lead singer/guitarist Dave. See if you can catch one of their shows.
Speaking of shows... Sense Field may be playing some east coast shows next month or January, but it's too soon to know for sure. It would be good for them to do some more shows, but it would also be good for them to work on and finish up their long overdue album, which they're working on now with new recordings of a different line up of songs, including some new ones. I can't wait.
Also amidst all this, inside sources have suggested that a possible Rodney Sellars and Jon Bunch acoustic project may be in the works. Stay tuned for more info...
And while I haven't yet received the official lyrics to the Sense Field songs from their split with OneLineDrawing, I've written up my own interpretation of the lyrics, so at least you guys have something. But I don't claim them to be absolutely accurate; in fact I'm sure they're not in some places. When Jon gets sick of people reading misinterpreted lyrics to the songs, I'm sure he'll get me the official lyrics to give to you guys.
The Ep and 7inches are out and available and awesome. If you pre-ordered them through C.I. Records you should have them by now. If not, well all I can say is that the US postal service isn't exactly known for its timeliness (or anything good for that matter), but you should definitely be getting them soon. If you live in California you can pick up a copy at the couple upcomming shows.
Speaking of... Sense Field's show last night at the Chain Reaction in Anaheim was amazing. Jon deserves some credit for just giving it everything he's got. It looked to me like he had the audience in a trance. And they played an upbeat rockin' new song for the first time live; I believe its working title is "secret", and it's very nice. It was really great to meet so many of you at the merch booth. It seems like my role with this band has evolved into webmaster/rodie/sometimes merch guy, but it's all good. It was nice to see so many people go out their way to speak to and show their support to the lowly website guy. I'm very glad you guys have enjoyed the site, even though I've been lagging a bit on updating it. I couldn't be happier that I got off my often lazy ass and did this site. I'd like to thank everyone who's shown support for helping to make this fansite project of mine so much more than worth it.
They will also be playing an early show (7:00pm) tonight in San Diego at Cane's. But more importantly they're set to headline what looks to be a blockbuster show at the Troubadour next thursday (Oct. 12) with opening acts such as Jonah's OneLineDrawing, Crashcart, and Pete Yorn. It looks to be an awesome night not to be missed. Get everyone you know and their grandma to come. If you need to book some plane tickets, do it and hurry 'cause the show's coming on Thursday. I'll be there, and I'd like to see some energetic fans not afraid to show lots of support. Come early and I'll take some pictures of some of you crazy bitches.
Also... there's a new article in OC Weekly about Sense Field and their situation, and it mentions "www.sensefield.net" and the message board here. Alright! The first major media mention of this site! Yeah I'm feeling like hot shit right now.
<begin rant>
But I'd just like to say in response to that article that as far as I'm concerned, the problem with Warner wasn't that they were trying to make some profit, but that they were going about it without any integrity. I don't know about any of you, but I find it damn insulting for a majority of the music industry to assume that the only kind of music our generation can enjoy is mindless chaotic rap metal or mindless cheese pop. I don't think it's much of a secret to anyone anymore that much of the music industry has become a sycophantic fraud that holds little respect for the customers it sucks off of. Besides... I REFUSE to believe that it was in the interest of Warner's profits to give this band the appalling low respect they received. There was practically no promotion at all for Building and it sold 10s of thousands by mostly word of mouth alone. Warner's real problem was their lack of foresight to recognize a potential multi-platinum album in their hands and their lack of initiative to make it happen. To date Offspring has sold, what, 24 some odd million albums; and Warner didn't feel that a superior album in that genre was profitable or worth their time?! I guess it shouldn't be too suprising that Warner didn't recognize the potential and even profit of Sense Field's new unreleased album. There's nothing wrong with earning some profit for successfully enabling a deserving band the opportunity to reach millions of people who could enjoy the music. Especially when it comes to Sense Field's music that so harmoniously fits in with an exalted human condition and is beyond deserving of rock icon stature. We'll see which label will have the foresight to recognize this and the courage to act on it.
</end rant>
Update
The Sense Field/Onelinedrawing split EP and 7" singles will be sent off next monday to those who have pre-ordered them through C.I. Records. Looks like C.I. Records got a little ambitious expecting an original release at the end of august when the songs weren't even finished and in their hands until august. But we can't blame them for trying. They've been hurrying to get these releases out amidst unexpected difficulties. Not to worry though, they'll be coming real soon and nothing can stop them now. I haven't heard these songs yet either, so I'm just as eager as the rest of you. The official record store release date for the split EP is Tuesday October 3 and it will be distributed by Revelation Records. But if you'd like to be the first kid on your block with one of these cool new cds or 7inches, you may pre-order by credit card or check by following the instructions below. Many preorders have been generated from this site, and let me just remind you all that those 7inches are limited, so if you would like one of those collectable pieces of Sense Field and Onelinedrawing history, you should order them as soon as you can.
This just in
Warner allows Sense Field to rerecord their songs
This is great news for Sense Field. Warner has waived part of their contract so that Sense Field will now be able to rerecord their songs initially set for release for an album under Warner Bros. over a year ago. With the rights to their songs (not the recordings) back in their hands, the band finally now has the ability to shop those songs around for a record label, which should be forthcoming fairly soon as there is some definite interest in this group. We'll see who manager Chris Baca decides to go with. My only hope is that whatever new label picks them up, that they accept and understand this band for what they are and make no attempt to dilute the unashamed passion of the music. There is no need to alter the music so that it conforms to bland mainstream standards. With music this good, if the mainstream would like to enjoy it, then the mainstream will have to come to Sense Field's standards, not the other way around. As long as this is understood I encouragingly give full support to any new label that would like to pick them up, and I'm sure that most of the other fans will too.
This means that the band will be starting the album over from scratch. But I'm sure they'll do what they can to get this album out as quick as they can with its quality high. Most likely they'll record some of the original songs and add some newer songs making a whole different album, which will mean that the original versions of the album will never come out in the form they were, making those advance copies that have been floating around some sort of collector's item. But this will depend mostly on what direction whatever new label would like to take with this band and what songs they'd like to release.
This is also very good news for Warner, because it means that we will be calling off all agents of the underground Sense Field militia of Life and Love and abort Operation: Obliterate Warner. Everyone shall cease and desist all plans to level the Warner building. And we will no longer need to continue to spit at Warner officials as they walk down the street. We shall simply give them an evil looking leer as they walk by.
Warner is no longer getting in the way of Sense Field, so we as fans can now move on and forget about them.
The upcoming split releases with Jonah's Onelinedrawing have been pushed back a couple weeks, but I'm told by the head of C.I. Records that they are promised no later than September 15. C.I. Records enlisted Jeff Caudill of Gameface to do the artwork for the split releases and here's what he came up with (apparently at the last minute with only a 1 day notice):
 Split CD-EP |
 Split 7inch |
 Beautiful Beautiful 7inch |
Official Lyrics Released!
All contracts have been signed and tense negotiations have come to a close. Life and Love exclusively presents to you all for the first time in history... the official lyrics to the unreleased Sense Field album! Even if you haven't yet heard the songs, much of the lyrics make good poetry in my opinion, so check 'em out. I believe that all lyrics were written by Jon Bunch with the exception of Love Song which was completely Rodney's song. Unfortunately you won't be able to hear Jon's entrancing vocal melodies accompany the lyrics until the unspecified future.
Speaking of... it seems as though there may be some progress in the negotiations with Warner regarding the rights to the unreleased songs. It's just that these things take so damn long. We'll see how Warner behaves before we go ahead and begin pelting the Warner building with stones.
And about those upcoming split releases with Jonah's Onelinedrawing still scheduled for the end of this month... there will officially be a 5 song split CD with 3 Sense Field songs (Anniversary, One Small Step, Beautiful Beautiful) and 2 Onelinedrawing songs (Wings and Cora's Theme), a limited split 7inch with 1 Onelinedrawing track and 1 Sense Field track, and a limited 2-song Sense Field 7inch. Prices are once again $7 for the EP and $4 for each 7inch (postage paid). Preorders are being accepted now. You can mailorder, as many of you have been, to the address below (Checks/m.o.'s payable to "C.I. Records")
You can also call (717) 295-4436 to place orders on a credit card by phone;
OR... you can enter the "online store" at corruptedimage.com and search out the titles and order them
by credit card, check, etc. within the store/shopping cart section.
Order quickly because once those limited 7inches are gone, they ain't coming back.
Time to clear up a couple of things.
First of all, about the upcoming split EP and 7 inches with Jonah's Onelinedrawing, there will not be five Sense Field songs contributed to the project, in fact it will be more like 2 or 3. Seems there was some confusion. While 5 songs were originally expected, only 2 or 3 were done and ready to go. Even if only 2 new songs will appear on the upcoming releases (still set for the end of August) it's still good news. The other songs will be released eventually anyway. Two songs that are certain to be on the split EP are "Anniversary" and "One Small Step". Sense Field's manager (Chris Baca) described these songs as more experimental and not necessarily reflecting the direction the band is going in. But hey, that's cool with me. I'd love to hear Sense Field tackle more experimental progressive rock. Regardless of how many songs will ultimately be released on Sense Field's end, there will still be one split EP CD and two limited 7 inches coming out of this ordeal. You can still preorder the releases by sending appropriate payment to the C.I. Records address below, or you can preorder with your credit card by calling
New music from Sense Field set for release at the end of August!
No, it's not the songs from the "Under the Radar" (?) cd currently being negotiated from Warner, but even newer songs unheard by almost all fans.
There are three separate releases set for the end of August.
The first is a split CD EP between Sense Field and Jonah's Onelinedrawing (former lead singer of "Far" who ditched the metal thing and started singing some great happier more acoustic music), which will be on C.I. Records, but will be wholesaled to be exclusively distributed by Revelation Records. The CD EP is "planned" to contain 2 songs from Jonah's Onelinedrawing and 4 songs from Sense Field. The EP will also be licensed to Good Life Records for European distribution as a 12inch in limited edition colored vinyl.
There will also be a Sense Field 7inch on colored vinyl limited to 1500 copies also on C.I. records, which will contain one song from the upcoming EP and one other new unreleased song. That makes for a (tentative) total of 5 new songs from Sense Field scheduled for the end of August.
And there will be yet another colored vinyl 7inch, this time as a split between Sense Field and Jonah's Onelinedrawing which will contain one Sense Field song from the upcoming EP and one Onelinedrawing song from the EP. This release will be limited to just 1000 copies and is meant more for the diehard fan collectors. It's supposed to include cool artwork. What kind of artwork will accompany these releases is unknown to me.
One of the songs by Jonah is called Wings. The other is unknown (to me).
The to be released songs by Sense Field aren't officially confirmed, but four of them should be "Anniversary", "Little Ones", "Beautiful Beautiful" and "One Small Step". I hear that One Small Step is an approx. 8 min. sci-fi rock epic. Hmmm.... sounds interesting. Can't wait to hear them. And I bet you can't either, so C.I. records will allow you to preorder all three releases. The 7inches will be $4 each (postage paid). The CD EP will be $7 (postage paid). Add up the appropriate amount and make checks payable to:
| C.I. Records 739 Manor St. Lancaster, PA 17603 |
Update
The shows for "Uptown Sinclair" (Rob's other band) have been confirmed as follows:
| Wednesday (7-12-00) at Pats in the Flats at 8:00 |
| Friday (7-14-00) at Happy Dog [(216) 961-4448] at 9:00 and 11:00 |
| Saturday (7-15-00) at Beachland Ballroom at 10:00 |
In the begining of August, Sense Field will be playing three club shows (which I believe are in northern California) which will be broadcasted streaming live over the internet. I believe the show dates will be August 2, 3, and 4. I'll get more concrete info on that soon.
Also you can catch Rob (Sense Field drummer) in the Cleveland area in about a week or so performing with another band that he's in called "Uptown Sinclair". I'll get more concrete info on that for you all real soon. I haven't heard the music for this band, but Rob describes it as straight ahead pop music with strong hooks. If you're in or around Cleveland in mid July, make sure you check them out, if only to give Rob a hard time.
So there's really no real concrete news, just some vague info to keep you all better informed. But there are big plans right now being set in order to free the upcoming album from its current captivity, but it's going to take some work to set everything up. You all will be the first to know.
Late Breaking News!
Sense Field will be playing a live show via the internet this Saturday (July 1)! It will air at 12pm (Noon) Pacific Standard Time. That is 3pm Eastern Time, 8pm if you live in England, etc. You must have a realaudio or an mp3 player. Sense Field will be performing during The Ska Parade's Radio Show at KUCI which will be broadcasted globally via the internet. Remember that it starts at 12pm PST on Saturday, so click this link (www.kuci.org/listen.html) when the time comes, and enjoy the show. You might want to click that link earlier (like right now) to make sure you have everything working right, before the show starts.
And as if that wasn't enough!, Sense Field will be playing the No Picnic festival the very next day (Sunday, July 2). Get your tickets now. I have been somehow conned into working the merchandise stand part of the day, but that's ok 'cause it'll give me a chance to scream at all the kids to go check out sensefield.net. Anyway, if you're going to the show and see me at the Sense Field merch stand, I'd love if you could come up and say hi, so I can see who's been coming to my site.
Also... since the album doesn't look like it's going to be coming out any time soon at the current progress of dealings, I just might get the OK to implement my own radical plans that I've had for almost a month now. Check back here for some potential exciting info to come...
Wow, the support you all have shown with your postings on the message board and emails you've sent to me is amazing. I'm sure the band members are touched by how you all care so much. Yes, go ahead and do what you can to push Sense Field onto any radio station you can. And feel free to write up passionate reviews/articles of Sense Field to any and all online magazines, school newspapers, etc. There's no real need to boycott all of Warner. Some people at Warner are still supportive of this band. There are individuals with false egos on the line who are responsible here, not the whole company. These people are paid a lot of money for their decisions and if Sense Field does end up becoming successful, those people responsible for letting Sense Field go will look very foolish to their higher-ups. It seems to me like certain people at Warner are actively getting in the way of Sense Field's career. The management of Warner doesn't deserve to be attacked because they're trying to make profit off of the bands that they promote, but because they've never done their job to promote this band and therefore don't deserve any money from them. Especially now that they are actively stalling this band's career. About setting up a donation fund to help Sense Field buy back the album... I can't tell you all how encouraging it is to see so many people willing to stand up and take action. However, I've got some even crazier ideas that are being held as a last resort if they can't get a good deal soon. If things don't pick up soon, I may get the OK to take some matters into my own hands. And it's not like there isn't any interest from other labels in this band, it's just that they are in a very difficult position and it would be unwise to sign another horrible contract. Right now, it doesn't look like the album is coming out anytime soon. They have a big mess on their hands right now and they're not sure how they can get out of it. I say take a shotgun on down to the Warner building, but maybe that's not the answer. They worked very hard on this album and had very high hopes for it. This whole ordeal has had to have left them hurt and very frustrated. So if you see them around at a show or wherever, tell them how you feel about their music. Give them a hug. Let them know that they still matter even if they can't get their new album out.
In the meantime they're set on moving forward. They're hoping to work out some new material to use to shop around for a new label.
Also... I was told that the Chain Reaction show is cancelled. The reason for this is that in order to play at the No Picnic festival, Sense Field signed a standard contract with Goldenvoice which requires that they not play within a certain distance within a certain timeframe of the festival. It's not that Goldenvoice cares if Sense Field plays another show, but that they don't want some of the larger groups playing other nearby shows in that time period because it'll reduce the ticket sales for the festival.
OK, here's the deal... Warner owns the rights to the new songs recorded for the upcoming album, and since the album went way over budget, Warner wants a lot of money for them. In fact, the amount that they want is just unreasonable, so much so that if another label were to want to pick up Sense Field, the amount of money that they'd have to spend for those songs would be just too risky for a label unless they had a sure-fire hit on their hands. What Sense Field needs is someone at a major label with the courage to put his/her job on the line for this band, and unfortunately people like that don't exist these days in a music world dominated by the likes of Kid Rock and N'SYNC.
In other words... Warner has REALLY screwed Sense Field over. Sense Field has done their part; they wrote and recorded some incredible songs for Warner to release. In return, Warner has repeatedly stalled on releasing the album, and now that the band has split from the label, those evil people in charge at Warner have the fucking nerve to make themselves a major obstacle in the career of one of the most passionate and inspiring bands ever. Feel free to create some nice picket signs and head on over to the Warner building.
I believe Warner has told the band that there really isn't an audience for this music. Apparently they don't think we exist. But really, what was I thinking listening to Sense Field? Maybe I should be thrashing around in chaotic fits to the new Kid Rock album, or perhaps I should be prancing around my room all gitty like for whatever new boy band is being pushed? Maybe then I would exist...
So, no Sense Field doesn't have a label right now, but their manager (Chris Baca) is working on some ideas. They're in a difficult situation right now with the new (completed) record. They're thinking of buying a couple of the songs from Warner and perhaps write some new songs to combine them with just to get an album out. Please though, don't complain to the band members about why this album is taking so long to come out. They're trying to do everything they can, and I can't even begin to understand how much it must hurt to work 2 years on an album and not be able to get it out to a public that wants it so much.
In the June issue of Meanstreet magazine (if you live in California you can probably pick up the mag for free at a Guitar Center or Tower Records, or you can call Meanstreet at (562) 789-9455 and see how else you might get it) there is a small picture of Sense Field on the cover and a very interesting article/interview with Chris (guitarist) about this situation with Warner where Chris is quoted saying, "I'd be bummed if I was a Sense Field fan... They are asking for way more money than we thought they would. It's going to take a major label or someone with a lot of money to buy the album. The possibility is there that we may not ever be able to put out this record." This doesn't sound good, but don't you all lose hope. If Sense Field doesn't snag a major soon we have some absolutely crazy ideas to get this album out there, but they're being held as a last resort right now. But no matter what, this album will come out; unfortunately no one, not even the band members, has any real idea of when.
I'd like to note that I'm not attacking Major Labels in general but the evil management of Warner in specific. Major Labels can provide bands with an excellent opportunity to expose their music to many potential fans. But the management of Warner deserves special condemnation for their unusual display of ignorance by letting one of the best bands of this millenium slip through their fingers, and for their absurd unprofessional cruelty by holding Sense Field's album captive, thereby getting in the way of the band's career, which has already been dealt its fair share of hard knocks. How this band has been able to write music that remains passionate about the possibilities in life after going through all they've had to go through remains a heroic mystery to me. But just think that in a few years from now when Sense Field has their spot on VH1's "Behind the Music", oh man are the people at Warner going to look like idiots.
OK enough ranting, this is supposed to be a news section...
Sense Field is currently mixing their new slightly altered recording of "Dreams". Their manager hopes to get it put on a soundtrack.
And the band is currently working on some ideas for new material, but they're still just ideas, so don't expect these songs for a while.
Also, the boys want to get back on the road and tour again, and they even want to get back to Europe, but no dates have been set and considering the turmoil this band is going through, nothing is certain at this point.
What is certain is that there are 2 shows set for Orange County, California in July. They're playing the No Picnic festival on July 2, and at the Chain Reaction on July 8.
Sense Field will be playing at the No Picnic festival in Irvine CA, on July 2 with Beck, Built to Spill, Yo La Tengo, At the Drive In, and many others. Tickets go on sale today at noon at all ticketmaster locations.
The band is currently writing some new material plus they are doing a remake of Dreams.
As for the already completed upcoming album... there's no indication of a release date. It's complicated. No one wants the album to be put out more than the band members, but before it can be released, the album needs to be bought back from Warner. Sense Field will most likely be putting out a few other smaller releases in the meantime while the album gets negotiated.
Sense Field has just ended their tour of the US. They feel that the tour was great and they're very happy with all the support they were shown. If you missed them when they came to your town, you can now kick yourself.
I was told that there's a tentative show set for the Chain Reaction in Orange County in July.
I keep asking the band members for info about what label they might get signed to, but since nothing is certain yet, I have a feeling that they're afraid to tell me anything, even off the record, because they think I'll post it here on my site. But I'm trying guys...
Chris (guitarist) did mention that they're going to try to put out some singles and 7 inches in the meantime to tide us over before they finally release the long overdue full length. We'll see... Rodney (guitarist) says that he appreciates everyone's patience, and I also overheard him say to someone else that he may be doing something with Whirlpool, his side project band, sometime soon.
Tonight I will see Sense Field live at the Troubadour, plus I get to meet a lot of cool fans that come to this site. I'm one happy and excited little boy! If you want to come to the show and haven't gotten your tickets yet, get them quickly. If you wait till you get to the club, you're chancing it.
Also... Sense Field has a feature in the latest issue of Schwing, a really cool golf magazine that also features No Doubt, Bad Religion, NOFX, and Ween in this issue. The feature includes an interesting golf related interview, plus a really intuitive review of the upcoming album. I've put Schwing's pic of Sense Field in the photos section. Check your local Tower or Virgin records for a copy of this magazine, or call Schwing at (888) 520-9099.
Sense Field wanted me to tell all of you who have been coming out in support of the shows, Thank you. They can't stress enough how much they appreciate it. Many of the shows have been getting sold out, and they've been a lot of fun for the band.
If you'd like to drop a word with the band, you can send an email to Rob (the drummer) at rob@sensefield.net. Since they're touring, they don't often get a chance to log on and check email, so the likelyhood of getting a reply is low (I, myself only get a reply very rarely), but I'm sure that Rob will definitely read anything you send him, and should convey any messages you'd like sent to the other band members.
I still have no information about what label they'll get signed to or when. But hopefully this will be taken care of soon.
And the band would like to encourage everyone who can, to come out to the LA show at the Troubadour, May 11. It's a big and important show for the band. They are headlining, and Farside and Crashcart are opening. I already have my tickets. Now here these words, "Get your tickets early!" In fact, get your tickets now before the Farside fans get them all. You can call ticket master at (213) 480-3232, or you can order them online at www.ticketmaster.com, but make sure you type "sensefield" without a space between the words when doing a ticket search, because for some reason that's the way the band is listed. There are added ticketmaster charges, but it's either that or you take your chances with a sold out show. Well, what are you waiting for? Get a move on!
Just letting you guys know that tonight's show at Irving Plaza, New York has sold out. This is very cool. Looks like the activity around this band is picking up.
Also... if you see the members of Sense Field hanging around at the shows, go up and say Hi and tell them how much you enjoy the music. They seem to like that.
by the way... Sense Field is featured in the Going Out section of today's edition of Digital City, Raleigh - Durham, which is Aol's local city guide.
In an email that Rob (the new drummer) recently sent to me, he said:
|
The tour has been great. We want to thank everybody who has come out in support. We also want to spread the word about our NY and LA shows. They are important shows for the band and we want to encourage anyone nearby to attend. We have been trying to play all the songs people have requested. So far so good. Thanks to everybody sending in their requests. And thanks to you Judd for developing a website people love to see. Your support and hard work are always greatly appreciated. |
There really isn't much new news to tell, except that the band is currently touring the USA and they're happy with the reaction they've been getting at the shows.
After one of the shows on the latest tour Jon Bunch gave a very interesting interview to Justin Luczejko (publisher of Wonka Vision Magazine) discussing such topics as the recent split with Warner. I was asked by Justin to write up an intro/segue to the interview, so I did. Go check it out in the Reviews section.
Not really new news, but... I've been asked to clear up my last news segment. Saying that the band was "dropped" from Warner may be a bit misleading. It seems like the split was done mutually. Jon doesn't want everyone to get freaked out about it. He says it may not be a bad thing. But since the band is currently looking for a label, the release date for their (completed) album is still unknown. Truthfully, I'm really confused about what exactly happened between Sense Field and Warner. I think the best statement may have come from the band's manager when he said, "There had been some recent changes at Warner Bros. and both of us felt it was mutually agreeable to move on." Let's just leave it at that and hope they find a new label soon.
Also... some of the tourdates have been corrected. And the band wants to know what songs you'd like to see them play live. Submit your favorite 10 at the message board.
Important
Sense Field has just been released from their label Warner Brothers. You can read the story at CDNOW. I've just spoken to Jon (lead singer) about this and he didn't seem so upset at all. He told me to say that the split was amicable. And he's optimistic about finding a new label. I said "hopefully one that'll give your band a lot more attention". "Exactly", he said. So... maybe this isn't such bad news, but it will surely mean that the album release date will be pushed back again to god knows when. This time it's definitely not their fault. I hope you all have Part of the Deal to tide you over till then...
by the way... the tour is definitely still on and you can check out some of the new tour dates in the tours section.
Also... it looks like the official site will not ever get updated. At least not by Warner. So I guess this page here is the only updated Sense Field presence on the web. I've been incredibly busy and stressed out lately, but I'll do what I can to keep this page going. Life and Love will continue!
Sense Field made the cover of Instant Magazine this month. See it in the photos section. Sense Field will also be on the cover of Mean Street Magazine in May.
The rumors are true. The upcoming album has been pushed back to May 30 and it is now going to be titled "Under the Radar". Here is what Chris (the guitarist) had to say about this in an email he sent to me:
| Yes, it's true ... The official date is May 30th. We've had many release dates for this record and we apologize for all of the delays. Some have been due to us and the additional recording we did recently, others have been out of our control and have been due to changes in upper management at Warner Bros. Records and our lack of a manager. We parted ways with our previous manager a while back and have been in search of a good one for some time. We're happy to report we've found someone and are very pleased with him so far. It's really important, we've discovered, to have a strong manager when dealing with a large label. So we're expecting this date to stick. |
| Scott just felt it was time to do something else. He told us he wanted to do mellower music and didn't have the energy to play the rockers anymore. Last I heard he was gonna go on tour with Elliot Smith, which sounds like a good opportunity for him. He was a very good drummer but we feel like we have a great replacement and bandmate in Rob. Rob's energy and enthusiasm for the band have been a breath of fresh air and has had a great effect on the rest of us. |
I just found this bit of info at www.morrissey-solo.com:
| Southern California rock group SENSE FIELD, who have recently finished recording their newest record for Warner Bros., have done a cover of The Smiths "What Difference Does it Make?" and rumor has it that it will be the first single off of the record. Apparently insiders within the industry believe it will be a hit. Just thought you'd like to know. |
Some more news... Sense Field will probably be touring again around April, this time stopping in many more cities. The upcoming album is currently untitled. Jon mentioned that he's thinking of calling it "Under the Radar" but he's not sure. And about the 7 inch split with Jonah's Onelinedrawing, Sense Field will be contributing a brand new song tentatively titled "Anniversary". The song has been written, but not yet recorded. Oh and by the way, the new song that Sense Field held up releasing the new album for called "Save Yourself" is beautiful.
OK kids... some new info. I have been told by Jonah (the lead singer of FAR) that he will be doing a split with Sense Field. I don't know which song Sense Field will be contributing, but I'll see if I can find that out soon. Jonah will not be contributing a FAR song but a song called "Wings" by his new "Onelinedrawing" solo project (think later FAR but more intimate and happier). You can check out Jonah and his beautiful new work at his website at www.onelinedrawing.com
This is not actually new Sense Field news (since there isn't much lately to talk about), but I thought some of you might find this interesting. Below is an email that Chris sent me back in August of '99 where he was describing the new album:
| Hey Judd. Thanks sincerely for all of your kind words. It feels great when our music connects. We'll be playing LA next on October 15th at the Troubador with the Get Up Kids. The new album is gonna be released late January of next year. I'm fairly confident that this will be the final release date. The new album is quite a bit different from Building. It's a bit slower and more full and textured in it's sound. It still contains all of the things you mentioned in your email, I think, but presented in a somewhat different way. I'd say the new record is closer to our earlier albums than Building. I hope you like it. The EP contains 2 songs off of it and 3 unreleased tracks which are pretty rockin'. Check out the attached .jpeg for the EP info. Anyway, hope that helps and see you at the LA show. |
Late Breaking News!
Sense Field will be playing a live show via the internet this Saturday (Jan. 22)! It will air at 12pm (Noon) Pacific Standard Time. That is 3pm Eastern Time, 8pm if you live in England, etc. You must have a mp3 player and at least a 14.4K connection because it will be featured with streaming mp3 audio. Go to The Ska Parade at 12pm PST on Saturday and click the link for The Ska Parade on KUCI Live, and enjoy the show.
Also... Go check out www.musictoday.com and guess who's site is fan site of the week.
That's right... awww yeahhh baby!
Today I am happy. This is because a (condensed) review of Sense Field's album "Building" that I wrote up months ago has been published on only the coolest daily web magazine in the history of mankind. I feel very honored and privileged to have received a featured article spot on The Daily Objectivist. Go check it out. Hopefully my article will help Sense Field to become better known within a more intellectual crowd.
So I've talked to Jon and he says that it's definite that two songs will be removed from the current line up of the advance CD. They are "Am I a Fool?" and "Welcome Me". They will be replaced with three songs which are a new remake of Sage, a cover of the Smith's song "What difference does it make?" and a new song called Save Yourself.
I asked him why they're removing two tracks instead of just adding more songs, and he didn't really give me a clear answer. Something about that this is what the band voted for.
I'm still not sure why they'd do this. As far as I'm concerned, the longer the album the better (unless it's filled up with crap, which is not the case here). Besides I really like the song "Welcome Me" and wouldn't want to see it go from the album line-up. But Jon said that the two songs aren't going to be discarded and should at least be released on a compilation, a soundtrack, or a B-side.
A bit of disappointing news. The show that was scheduled for the Garage (Jan. 7) had gotten canceled on the spot. Supposedly the drummer was supposed to catch some flight and didn't, so Sense Field didn't play. I would have been perfectly happy with one of those rare acoustic sets without drums, but oh well... Never the less, I did get to meet Jon and Chris, and that was really cool, but I was disappointed that they cancelled without any notice.
Late Breaking News!
It has just been brought to my attention that Sense Field will be playing a show Friday, January 7 at the Garage in Los Angeles. While this is great news, there is some bad news to go along with it. The Garage is a 21 and over bar, meaning most of you will probably need a good fake ID to get to see the show. I'm 19, but I'll be there, and I'll do whatever I can to weezle my way in.
Forget what you've heard, the release date of the upcoming Sense Field album has been pushed back to March. It will likely be self-titled. I'm told that pictures of the band members will be included in the insert art, and that lyrics most likely will not; but they will be posted on the official website, which should be completely updated when the new album comes out.
The band was recently in the studio recording three more songs: a Smiths cover "What Difference Does It Make?", a remake of Sage, and a brand spankin' new song (Save Yourself?). Supposedly the Smiths cover and the new song will be added, and two other tracks will be removed from the lineup of the advance cd that's been floating around which is:
1) War of the Worlds
2) The Horse is Alive
3) Are you okay?
4) Emergency Exit
5) One More Time Around
6) Open Heart Surgery
7) To End a Letter
8) Love Song
9) Welcome Me
10) In Election
11) Am I a Fool?
Which tracks will be removed is currently unknown to me and maybe even the band.
Also, there will be a show in Los Angeles at the Troubadour on Jan. 28. Read the message board for info on meeting up.