We Are Scientists
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| We Are Scientists | |
|---|---|
 Chris Cain and Keith Murray
|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Claremont, California |
| Genre(s) | Indie rock, Post-punk revival, Dance-punk |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Label(s) | Virgin |
| Website | http://www.wearescientists.com/ |
| Members | |
| Keith Murray Chris Cain Max Hart Adam Aaronson |
|
| Former members | |
| Michael Tapper | |
We Are Scientists is an American band formed in 2000 featuring Keith Murray (guitar and lead vocals), Chris Cain (bass guitar and backing vocals) and previously Michael Tapper (drums and backing vocals). In their own words, the band creates "rock music of the thoughtful, sometimes epic, often loud, vaguely danceable, implicitly humanist variety".[1] The band's sense of humour is often commented upon, particulary their banter and jokes between songs at gigs and their often surreal and humourous answers to questions in interviews.
Contents |
[edit] Name
There are many theories behind the band's name. The band did not get their name from the Cap'n Jazz song of the same name. However, another story behind the name is that when they were applying for a loan for the band, they said they were scientists who needed funding for a project (as the bank wouldn't have given them a loan to start up a band). The band actually got their name from a conversation they had with a U-Haul worker. When returning a truck, the worker looked them up and down and asked if they were brothers. They said no, so the man asked if they were scientists. They said no again, but forever regretted it and decided to call their band "We Are Scientists".
[edit] History
The band met while its members attended the Claremont Colleges. Keith Murray and Chris Cain attended Pomona College; Michael Tapper attended Harvey Mudd College just a few blocks away. The trio formed the band after they had graduated, and have frequently performed free shows at the colleges ever since.
The band has released two self-made LPs and two self-made EPs - Safety, Fun and Learning (In That Order) LP, Bitchin! LP, In Action EP, and The Wolf's Hour EP - and released their major label debut LP, With Love and Squalor on EMI/Virgin Records. The first three singles are "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", "The Great Escape" and "It's a Hit". Every song has a video, and they are all available on Crap Attack, which also includes b-sides and a live show.
In 2006, We Are Scientists began touring with Arctic Monkeys, Maxïmo Park and Mystery Jets as part of the NME Shockwaves Tour, playing Cardiff and Nottingham en route.
Their music videos typically feature surreal situations such as the band being chased by a man in a grizzly bear costume ("Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt"), having boxing matches ("It's a Hit"), and the three being seemingly connected at the hip throughout an entire day's activities ("The Great Escape"). Three of the videos are directed by Akiva Schaffer. The video for "Inaction" was directed by Eric Gross, a college friend who became a filmmaker.
Their single 'The Great Escape' got a lot of UK recognition from being available as the free download of the week on iTunes.
The band performed "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" on the December 19, 2005 episode of the Late Show with David Letterman, and "It's a Hit" on the March 14, 2006 episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Throughout February 2006, "The Great Escape" was heard in a commercial for the 2006 Winter Olympics and on another commercial advertising BBC Radio stations. An instrumental version of "The Great Escape" has been used in a commercial from various television comedy shows airing on British station E4. It has also been used in the introductions for various Sky Sports channels.
The band obtained the Xpression FM number one single on 8th May 2006 with "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt".
In 2007 Was Nominated for NME Best International Band Award later to be won by My Chemical Romance.
They toured with Kaiser Chiefs at the end of 2007.
It was announced on the 1st November 2007 that drummer Michael Tapper would be leaving the band prior to their UK tour. He has not been replaced. Instead, the band has continued to operate as a duo with supporting musicians.
It has been rumoured that Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders has been asked by the band to "fill in" as their part-time drummer on their recent UK tour.
The band's latest album entitled Brain Thrust Mastery debuted in the UK album charts at number 11 after its release on the 17th March 2008.
[edit] New members
Max Hart joined the band just before Michael Tapper left. After Tapper's departure, the remaining members started looking for a new drummer. Tapper plays a little bit of drums on Brain Thrust Mastery and it's singles, but they drums are also played by someone named Garett. They tried a few different people to play drums for them live, but then decided to steal Adam Aaronson from Max Hart's previous band, The High Speed Scene. Adam Aaronson's first gig in the UK was at the Glasgow Barrowlands on April 12th, 2008. Before this, he had played at a number of promotional events and signings. Max and Adam seem to be pretty permanent members, but there is no official word on that yet.
[edit] Website
The band is well known for its website, www.wearescientists.com. It features an advice column, reviews of random objects, and other humorous articles. The site also has the more traditional features of a band website--discography, merchandise, and a messageboard.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Bitchin' (EP) (2002)
- Safety, Fun, and Learning (in that Order) (2002)
- In Action (EP) (2003)
- With Love and Squalor #43 UK
- Crap Attack (compilation)
- Brain Thrust Mastery #11 UK (2008)
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | |||
| 2005 | "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" | #56 | - | - | "With Love and Squalor" |
| 2005 | "The Great Escape" | #37 | - | - | "With Love and Squalor" |
| 2006 | "It's a Hit" | #29 | - | - | "With Love and Squalor |
| 2006 | "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt (reissue)" | #21 | - | #41 | "With Love and Squalor" |
| 2008 | "After Hours" | #15 | TBR | TBR | "Brain Thrust Mastery" |
| 2008 | "Chick Lit" | #37 | TBR | TBR | "Brain Thrust Mastery" |
[edit] EPs
- Bitchin (EP)
- In Action
- The Wolf's Hour (EP)
[edit] Soundtrack appearances
- "Ode to Star L23" appears in the 2007 film I'll Believe You.
- Their song "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" was featured on the CSI: NY episode "Stuck On You."
- The song, "Inaction" was featured on an episode of "The OC"
- The song, "The Great Escape", was featured in the preview for the MTV show "Maui Fever"
- "Lousy Reputation" is featured on SSX on Tour.
- "The Great Escape" was featured on Criterion Games' Burnout Revenge and Burnout Legends as well as in adverts for Sky Sports
- "Callbacks" was featured on True Crime: New York City
- "The Great Escape" was used over a montage of the Best Movie nominees at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.
- "Inaction" was featured on the Greek (TV Series) episode "Hazed and Confused".
- Their song "The Great Escape" was played on an episode of MTV show The Hills.
- "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt" was played during a scene in the How I Met Your Mother episode "Belly Full of Turkey".
- "After Hours" is featured in the background of a Sony commercial.
[edit] Live CD
We Are Scientists recorded their live performances for their Spring 2008 tour, making it available 10 minutes after the show.
They were also made available on the bands official website for around £15.00 but with limited stock of only 1500 per show.
The CDs are available for:
- Glasgow Barrowlands - 12/4/08
- Manchester Academy - 15/04/08
- Birmingham Academy - 18/04/08
- Shepherds Bush Empire - 24/04/08
