The Senseless Things formed around the enduring musical partnership of songwriter Mark Keds (vocals, guitar) and Morgan Nicholls (bass, originally guitar), who as 11-year-old schoolboys in Twickenham, London, England, put together Wild Division in the early 80s. With the addition of drummer Cass 'Cade' Browne they became the Psychotics, playing various venues in their local area despite still being at school. Their first gig together as the Senseless Things followed at the subsequently demolished Clarendon in Hammersmith, London, in October 1986. Auxiliary members at this stage included a keyboard player Ben, then a guitarist, Gerry, who deputized for Nicholls while the latter was studying for his 'O' Levels.
The definitive Senseless Things line-up finally evolved in summer 1987 when Nicholls returned to take over bass, with the new recruit, former BBC clerk Ben Harding, acquiring the vacant guitarist's role. Taking their musical cue from the Ramones and the Dickies, and their spiritual lead from fellow guitar outfit Mega City Four, the quartet embarked upon a hectic touring schedule that unveiled their roguish charm and obvious potential.
Their youthful zest initially outshone their musical achievements, which were first aired for public consideration on a 7-inch compilation single given away with issue 6 of London fanzine Sniffin' Rock. By March 1988 the band had attracted the attention of BBC disc jockey John Peel, who invited them to record the first of two sessions for his programme. Following another fanzine release, three tracks headed by 'I'm Moving', a friend offered to finance a 'proper' release. The impressive 'Up And Coming' 12-inch followed, then 'Girlfriend'/'Standing In The Rain', for Way Cool Records.
The musical imbalance that had seen them sacrifice melody for speed had, by that time, been thoroughly redressed. The band's debut mini-album, entitled Postcard C.V., arrived in November 1989. It comprised 22 minutes of scratchy, boisterous punk pop now imbued with more shading and subtlety. Continuing to trawl the independent wasteland, the band joined What Goes On Records just as it collapsed, but the situation was rescued by Vinyl Solution subsidiary Decoy Records, who released the four-track EP Is It Too Late?, in May 1990.
The group stayed with Decoy for 'Can't Do Anything', which prefaced an appearance at the Reading Festival, but the groundswell of live support eventually saw them snapped up by Epic Records at the start of 1991. The subsequent The First Of Too Many introduced acoustic guitars and gentler moods to the punky blitzes of yore, and 'Got It At The Delmar' scuttled into the Top 60 of the UK singles chart. Two further Top 20 singles followed in 1992, 'Easy To Smile' and 'Hold It Down'.
The first single from 1993's Empire Of The Senseless, 'Homophobic Asshole', was a brave statement but one that ultimately alienated radio programmers. Despite continuing to write high-quality songs (becoming more reminiscent of the Replacements as time passed by), the momentum had been irretrievably lost. Rumours circulated in March 1995 of the band's impending collapse, having been dropped by their record company they unfortunately split up.
Of the band's album, Taking Care Of Business, guitarist Mark Keds would remark: 'We've achieved a very rounded and accomplished rock record, which is what we always set out to do. We're not going to repeat it. Obviously, we'll be touring the album . . . after that, I think it's going to be all change. Whatever comes next is going to be completely different.
Keds was falsely rumoured to be joining the Wildhearts, with whom he had formerly appeared, while it was also suggested that drummer Cass might link with friends Urge Overkill. Keds eventually settled for Jolt, the band he formed in early 1996.
After jolt Keds went onto form Trip Fontaine and now The Lams.
Ben went onto join 3 Colours Red and is now a press officer for help the aged.
Morgan joined Vent with miles hunt from the Wonderstuff then went on to play with The Streets. He has also toured with Muse and often plays keybords for them.
Cass went on to sing for Delakota and now works with damon in Gorillaz.
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Hey thanks for the add, I saw the senseless things a few times when I lived in Newcastle upon Tyne, the first time I saw them they supported the Buzzcocks at the uni, the Senseless things were best on the nite, Too much kissing is one of the best songs ever written and its on my mp3 player at the mo, keep up the good work, Kelv
i'm really chuffed to see too much kissing on the profile, what great memories that brings back.
i would have loved to come to the gig but couldn't, next time.....
Merci pour votre music
I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who gave us such a reception at the gig the other night. I think I can say without fear of contradiction (but with much fear of Cass taking the piss by txt at some point) that it was a very special night for us all. Micky ruled the bass, it sounded great from where I was standing, and you lot were fantastic. Brought a lump to my throat it did. As did the evening as a whole. I saw lots of old mates and old fans (although I missed the stripy tights and kitbags...).
More to the point, I think everyone involved did a fantastic job in celebrating Wiz's life. Cheers to them, too, especially Tank.
