Saens (Sens) - Discography (1999-2004)

Pascal Bouquillard - Lead vocals, bass, classical guitar.
Vynce Leff - Guitars, vocals, keyboards, wind synths, ...
Recording, editing, mixing, producing.
Benoit Campedel - Guitars, keyboards.
Stephane Geille - Drums.
and with much appreciated contribution over the years
Sophie Grimaut-Michel - French lyrics
Marine Campedel -Cello, classical vocals (album Escaping from the Hands of God)
Damien Gadenne - Drums (album Escaping from the Hands of God and gigs)
Brigitte Alexandre - Soprano
Isabelle Poinloup - Soprano

Saens' story begins in 1996. Pascal Bouquillard, looking for an engineer to record his band's debut demo, comes across Vynce Leff, who also ends up acting as producer. Leff, loving what he hears, cannot resist, and adds some of his guitar "bits". From there, with some web discussions between the then band members & Leff, the decision is made to add him as band main guitarist.
At that time, they were finishing what would be their demo & eventual debut "Sagesse" (Les Regrets d'Isidore D.).
Then in 1998, they contact Mellow Records , who are very receptive to this debut recording, and agree to act as distributor.
At this point the group presents its' first shows. Although Bouquillard has been playing with the "Trio Francais de Guitare", this is his debut playing his own compositions.
December 1999, their debut is released - "Les Regrets d'Isidore D.". As such, their luck is improving as they finalize a contract with Cyclops, a record label , who show much enthusiasm for this, their initial release.
But then a "big" change. They go from being called "Sens" to "Saens". As "Sens" is already taken in the wild west atmosphere of the web URL address world, they make the change over so as to distinguish themselves. Along with that, no harm that the new name brings to mind a grand composer. Plus, in English, it still is pronounced "sense".
Of course, the question, a french group that sings in English ? Two reasons - first - the ability to reach a wider public, and also, the belief that their type of music, prog, lends itself more to english lyrics. So while their debut owed much to Sophie Michel 's lyrics, they took over the task themselves on "Escaping From The Hands Of God", and found the end result to their liking. For those who long for a further francophone effort, the group still has in mind another release eventually with Michel as their lyricist, as they still have at heart a strong gallic pride in their language.
While compared to Ange at their beginning, they more readily see themselves as following British groups such as Yes, Gentle Giant, ELP, Pink Floyd, and surprise - Genesis.
But to those who know their music well, they stand as standard bearers of the neo-prog banner.
Building on prog past, but believing in the future of prog.