We Are Scientists

Though formed by a pair of aspiring stand-up comedians, the Brooklyn-based We Are Scientists were not a joke band; their throwback indie-rock was nonetheless giddy and good-natured. Founding members Keith Murray (guitar/vocals) and Chris Cain (bass/vocals) were college friends at Pomona College in Claremont, CA; formalizing the band lineup after graduation and moving east during 2001 (founding drummer Scott Lamb and his replacement Michael Tapper both stayed behind, though Lamb would appear on some early recordings). The band name came from a truck-rental agent who sized up the two founders as they were moving east. Between playing gigs on both coasts, the band (now officially a duo) released its first indie album Safety, Fun and Learning (In That Order) the following year, drawing comparisons to upbeat retro-minded bands like Franz Ferdinand and the Killers. Given the UK-inspired sound, it wasn't a surprise that the UK audience gave them their first breakthrough: After signing to Virgin they released their major-label debut, With Love and Squalor, which went gold there and led to a headline tour in 2005. A few touring members (including the returning Tapper) came and went, with Murray and Cain remaining the core. The band made some lighthearted promo videos that recalled their comedy-club roots, as did the slant of the lyrics: Self-deprecating humor based around the search for love and sex was a favorite theme. Success continued in the UK, with the third album Brain Thrust Mastery making their highest chart showing at #11, though there was never a US breakthrough to match. The third album Barbara featured a new drummer (Andy Burrows, ex-Razorlight) and a more guitar-based sound, and led to a UK festival tour including Reading and Glastonbury. They enlisted producer Max Hall-a former collaborator who'd gone on to play keyboards with Katy Perry-as producer for 2015's Helter Seltzer which was their most stylistically diverse album, from power-pop to arena rock. Though embraced as always in the UK, it became their first album since the debut not to chart in the US. Undaunted, the band embraced a sparkling dance-rock direction on their 2018 release Megaplex.