Interview

An Interview w/ Buddy From Senses Fail On Their Involvment with the Punisher: War Zone Soundtrack and More

Senses Fail, the New Jersey based group, released their debut EP “From Depths To Dreams” in 2002. Their most recent release, “Life is Not A Waiting Room,” deals with many personal issues from coping with the aftermath of a breakup to spending time with a fan before he died from cancer. They have a cut on the Madden NFL video game and have been on the Underworld: Evolution soundtrack in 2006 with “Bite to Break Sin,” and “Bad Reputation” on the Bad News Bears soundtrack in 2005. Now they are part of the new soundtrack Punisher: War Zone. I had an opportunity to talk with James “Buddy” Nielsen for Metalunderground.com.

Valerie: How did you get selected to be part of the Punisher: Warzone soundtrack?

Buddy: I think either the movie contacted our label or the label heard they were looking for new music or whatever and they sorted it out that we could possibly contribute something.

Valerie: Why did you decide to be a part of it?

Buddy: It is a great promotion. Another form of getting our music out there.

Valerie: Are you a big fan of action movies?

Buddy: I love the Punisher. The movie was amazing. He killed people in ways I’ve never seen people killed. I am a huge fan of the Punisher.

Valerie: Tell me about “The Past Is Proof?”

Buddy: It’s one of our faster songs. It’s upbeat and real fast. I really like this song a lot. It’s a song about not letting material things and your mistakes and things like that define you. Unfortunately sometimes they do. It is also about my lifestyle of touring and being in a band and how much I love that. I appreciate the ability to do that.

Valerie: Did you pick out the title or did the label?

Buddy: The label has no control of the music at all. We are on an independent label and I think it is important for a band to be completely independent of all musical control. I don’t think that’s one thing about major labels that is actually kind of disgusting. As far as them telling you what you are going to write or what you should write.

Valerie: That is why you are on an independent label?

Buddy: That is one reason yeah.

Valerie: Is it different with a soundtrack?

Buddy: You write what you want to write and submit it to them. If they like it they will use it cool. If they don’t you know.

Valerie: Do they give you the script?

Buddy: Oh no not at all. Not anything that I’ve been involved as far as soundtracks.

Valerie: What movies did you do soundtracks?

Buddy: We did Bad News Bears and a couple of others. Plus a couple of video games.

Valerie: When did the football video come out?

Buddy: It came out in August.

Valerie: Getting a lot of publicity from that one?

Buddy: It came out and is definitely a good avenue for people who play video games. When they turn it on they are forced to hear your music. Some people like it. If they don’t like it at least it raises the profile of the band. I know who that band is, that’s cool.

Valerie: Do you play video games?

Buddy: Yeah I play tons of video games.

Valerie: How did the Game to Fame with other Warzone artists turn out?

Buddy: We have done it before for a couple of different things. You play online. You play kids fans they sign up. You add them to your friends list and play against them. I like it. I do it for fun anyways.

Valerie: What games are you good at?

Buddy: I play a lot of “Call of Duty” online. That would be the one I play the most.

Valerie: Have you done music for that game?

Buddy: They don’t really have music. It is about WWII fighting and stuff like that.

Valerie: That’s unfortunate.

Buddy: No that would be kind of weird it would mess up the setting and style with modern music, when you are shooting a Thompson machine gun somewhere in Germany.

Valerie: What did you enjoy the most about working on the soundtrack?

Buddy: I think it was just cool being able to go to the movie and hear it in the movie. That was the coolest part.

Valerie: Did you go to the movie opener?

Buddy: No I went to see it when it came out last Thursday.

Valerie: What is your role on “The Weekly Rift?”

Buddy: They started to call me in to do the show. You discuss pop culture and topics each week. I can act like myself and apparently it is entertaining in some way.

Valerie: Did you get a chance to meet some of the other artists?

Buddy: I’ve gotten to know some of them. It is usually somebody from the band somebody who works in pr somebody that’s a DJ and then somebody else. Sort of pulling in all aspects of the industry.

Valerie: Are there any events planned with the other artists?

Buddy: No probably not.

Valerie: It would be nice if you could do that?

Buddy: Oh yeah.

Valerie: It must have been difficult writing the songs “Yellow Angels” and “Four Years.” How do you find the strength to write through issues of emotional pain?

Buddy: I don’t know. I think everybody goes through those emotions. I think everybody deals with them. I don’t think they deal with them they go through them. It does not mean they deal with them. It is my way of dealing with it.

Valerie: What made you decide to spend time with the fan Marcel before he died from cancer?

Buddy: His mother asked me if I would come and visit.

Valerie: That was awesome.

Buddy: I had a good time.

Valerie: Where do you see this group in the future?

Buddy: I really do not think about the future to much as far as it concerns the band. I’ve learned that if you have expectation s from being in a band it kind of diminishes the point. We have touring schedules and plans as to where we are going to be. As far as overall the goal would be the goal to be successful. I think we are already successful at the moment being signed to a label and being able to make music. We are never going to be a band all over the radio or the biggest band in the world. I think we can be a band that saves to. I think to have hit lyrics and be an independent band and uphold that and continue to do what we love to do.

Valerie: What do you enjoy the most about being in a band?

Buddy: Playing.

Valerie: Do you have any solo projects planned?

Buddy: Yeah definitely. I am working on something right now with a couple of other people.

Valerie: Would you work on another soundtrack?

Buddy: If the opportunity comes our way we will definitely do it.

Valerie: Are you working on another release?

Buddy: No we are all at home. I have a job when I am at home. Everybody just hangs out and does there thing with family and girlfriends.

Valerie: Where do you work?

Buddy: I work at a law office.

Valerie: It is a lot different than music.

Buddy: Yeah totally.

Valerie: Anything else you would like to tell Metalunderground?

Buddy: Thanks to everybody that supports the band I really appreciate it.

Valerie: What has not been told about the band?

Buddy: For the most part we are pretty open. I think the music and lyrics speak for themselves.

Valerie: Are you self taught?

Buddy: I have taken singing lessons. I am not the greatest singer. I just to because it helps me feel more confident. Everybody is self taught.

Valerie: Would you like to add?

Buddy: The Yankees are better than everyone.

Valerie: Are they your favorite team?

Buddy: Oh yeah! Only the Yankees. I hate the Red Sox. I do not care about any other teams because they don’t matter.

Valerie: Other interests besides music?

Buddy: I like tons of things. Music, baseball, and MMA.

Valerie: Xbox and music?

Buddy: Xbox, music, and jujitsu.

Valerie: What belt?

Buddy: I still have a white belt. I have only been doing it for a year.

Valerie: What kind?

Buddy: Brazilian.

Valerie: Are you pretty fit?

Buddy: No you just need patience.

Valerie: So you watch MMA?

Buddy: Yeah definitely!!

Valerie: I appreciate you taking out time from your busy schedule. You have a great day and good luck.

Buddy: Thank you so much have a good weekend.