We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists are a US indie rock band formed in 2000 in Claremont, California, and associated with Berkeley in the United States. The group features Michael Tapper, Chris Cain, Keith Murray and Adam Aaronson.

Line-up and origins

The band forms while its members attend the Claremont Colleges. Keith Murray and Chris Cain attend Pomona College, and Michael Tapper attends Harvey Mudd College. Murray handles guitar and lead vocals, Cain plays bass and contributes backing vocals, and Tapper plays drums and backing vocals. The band’s name comes from an exchange with a U-Haul employee who mistakes the members for scientists; they are not named after the Cap'n Jazz song of the same name.

Tapper, a co-founder, leaves the band in 2007 and later becomes a member of Bishop Allen and Fool's Gold. Max Hart, who has played live with the group before, joins temporarily on keys and guitar, and Andy Burrows later appears on drums. The band also has a connection to Art Brut, described in their own terms as a franchise of that band and “Art Brut 47”.

Releases and recordings

We Are Scientists release three self-made EPs: Bitching!, Safety, Fun, and Learning (In That Order) and In Action. Their debut album, With Love And Squalor, comes out on Virgin Records and includes the singles “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt”, “The Great Escape” and “It’s A Hit”. The album title is taken from the J.D. Salinger short story For Esme - With Love and Squalor.

The band later releases Crap Attack, a collection of B-sides, covers and rarities, followed by Brain Thrust Mastery, which reaches number 11 on the UK Albums Chart. Their third album, Barbara, appears in 2010 and features Andy Burrows on drums.

Other appearances

We Are Scientists appear on the soundtrack to the 2008 film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist. Keith Murray is also linked in the text to a 2007 nomination for “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian”.