James Anthony "Buddy" Nielsen is an American musician best known as the lead singer of the post-hardcore band Senses Fail. He is the band's only remaining original member. [1]
Nielsen's vocal style utilizes both screaming and singing, drawing influence from hardcore punk, emo and pop music. [2]
Nielsen has retroactively self-described his lyrics on early Senses Fail releases as misogynistic. He said: "There are definitely things I said on there that I’d never say now. Specifically, sort of misogynistic, overtly misogynistic things. Songs just that lack a level of depth. Overall, there’s a couple lines where I’ll cringe, like 'whore.' Or I have a song about pushing a girl off a building. [...] I wouldn’t say when I look at it as a whole I’m, like, cringing or upset about it. But there are specific instances when I look at it, and I’m like, 'What? What was going on back then that that’s what came out?'" [1]
Nielsen has stated that he has struggled with anxiety, sexual addiction, substance abuse and alcoholism at earlier periods in his life. He identifies as queer and has stated he has found himself attracted to people of all gender identities. He has been an outspoken proponent for LGBT rights in the United States, healthcare reform and socialism. He is married and has a daughter. His wife suffers from multiple sclerosis, which nearly cost her life during childbirth. [3] [1] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]
Nielsen practices Buddhist meditation and ju jitsu. In a 2012 Warped Tour interview with BryanStars, Nielsen stated that he did not believe in God or heaven. [10] [9]