Senser - Motion, Oct 11 2023 - We Will Trampoline

Looking back – This morning, I booked a gig in October at The Marble Factory (Motion) in Bristol. If you’re that bored you can probably work out which but that’s for a future post.

The reason that is relevant is that I’ve been there twice, sort of? The first was a night at Motion probably eight or nine years ago, the exact date even year is about as foggy as my recollection of that night.

The second visit was October last year when I finally got to tick off a ‘bucket-list’ band that I have been a big fan of since the album Stacked Up appeared in 1994. I cannot remember if I heard Switch or Age of Panic first but that’s not important, what is, is that this was one of those right sound, right songs, right album at the right time moments and had an defining impact on my own musical journey.

I track gig listings religiously, when Senser appeared on a listing, I’m surprised I didn’t injure myself rushing to guarantee a ticket. Where to see them seemed irrelevant! The most local was The Marble Factory, I knew it and I visit Bristol occasionally so winner! As it happens when I came to going, due to a ‘sensor’ fault on my cars engine (you couldn’t write it!) I had to rethink, train it was then, but the last train back was a ludicrously early 10.20!

My luck was in however as Senser were just doing a support slot for Ferocious Dog (apologies to them) so I could finish work, get the train, up to Bristol, Senser then home.

Looking back a few months it was perfect. The venue is fantastic, I had to laugh at the fact I was walking through a door with the word Motion above it in red neon to see a band called Senser. It’s big, open, a great view of the stage, a big bar and close toilets.

When I arrived a went to have a look at the Merch stand and bought a copy of How to do Battle, released in 2009 but I didn’t own it on Vinyl. James Barrett, bass player for Senser since early 90s was manning the stand and entertained my conversation for a while, ended with him asking my name and a handshake so I was on rare form that night.

Stowed the vinyl, grabbed a pint and watched Abdoujaparov, they are a punk band formed back in 1998 by ex-Carter USM guitarist Les Carter (aka Fruitbat). Wasn’t punk this night it was pretty relaxed and upbeat.

Then Senser, they were everything I wanted from this gig! This was a warmup gig I believe for a headline at the 100 club in London but you wouldn’t have known it, they gave it full Senser. Up close loud and worth every minute of the wait since 1994. Heitham Al-Sayed is as brilliant on vocals as ever and Kerstin Haigh sound great as ever backing him up. It was the assault on my senses I wanted!

A great setlist finishing off with Age of Panic, Looking down the Barrel of a Gun by The Beastie Boys then Eject! Couldn’t have been happier, I grabbed a couple of beers from the shop, jumped on the train and smiled all the way home. If I’d been writing the blog then I’d of been rambling a lot more.