Participate in an Experiment this Friday

ìIs the bandís name a Guided by Voices reference?î

ìNooooo!î guitarist Keith Murray, drummer Michael Tapper, and
bassist Chris Cain, collectively known as We Are Scientists, reply
in an adamant unison. Seems theyíve been asked this one before.
Chris goes on to explain that the band name actually arose from a
conversation that the Brooklyn-based trio had with an employee of
U-Haul upon returning a rented trailer. ìAs he checked us in, he
asked if we were brothers cause we all kind of look alike and
weíre built alike. When we said no, he asked us if we were
scientists.î Itís hard to tell if anything that drops from the mouths of
these three indie smart-asses can be taken as truth, but they
claim that the U-Haul employeeís inquiry was enough to catalyze
them into forming a band.

Just this past summer, the U-Hauls were rented once again and
We Are Scientists packed up and undertook a transcontinental
relocation. Hailing from California, the threesome decided to make
Brooklyn their home, facetiously claiming that California could no
longer handle music as amazing as their own. Lately, theyíve
spent their days working and their nights recording a forthcoming
record that will be released on Williamsburg, Brooklynís Devious
Semantics label.

However, getting the band to describe their sound is quite the task.
When asked to describe their music, We Are Scientists flee from
the question like little kids trying to avoid bad-tasting medicine.
After some pursuit, Tapper offered up the names of a couple of
drummers who aim for a similar sound. His list included Weezerís
Pat Wilson, The Get Up Kidsí Ryan Pope and Pavementís Steve
West before he rigidly proclaimed ìbut not the guy from Blink-182!î
Once the drug was swallowed, Murray responded, ìI think you just
listed all the bands that we decided not to mention.î The secretís
out, and though they are a bit defensive about the comparisons,
We Are Scientists lean toward infectious power pop. The tracks
available for download on the bandís website
(www.wearescientists.com) confirm any and all suspicions with
songs like ìThe Super Anytime Double-X Mysteryî and ìEasykill,î
which aptly mix solid rhythm work, catchy guitar hooks, and
well-delivered harmonies.

Over the last couple of months We Are Scientists have honed their
performance skills playing gigs at such New York City mainstays
as Brownies, Acme Under-ground, and the Lionís Den. Known to
perform in colorful jumpsuits (donít scientists wear lab coats?) the
handsome trio will be bringing their sound to Morningside
Heightsí very own West End for a Friday night rock ëní roll
extravaganza. In addition to their own performance, the band plays
host to an evening that will serve as a record release show for
label mates Smite and feature performances by Tone and
Telegraph and The Tuesday Suits. Additionally, other possible
aspects of the night could include a literary reading and a short
film screening. Tapper said that people should come out on Friday
night because ìthe band is really all about having fun,î and the
show should be just that. Murray jokingly added that ìAll students
with proof of Colombian citizenshipî will receive a discount on
admission to the eveningís events.

The Tuesday Suits, Tone and Telegraph, We Are Scientists, and
Smite

Friday, December 7, 2001

9 p.m.

The West End