ARTICLE BY JOELLE WAGNER
PHOTOS BY JENNIFER RUIDERA
JULY 1 | LOS ANGELES—The stage is dark, save some dim back-lighting and the frequent flicker of eager cameras. Over the crowd’s cheering, ambient electric guitar reverb begins to take shape and wail the eerie intro to “Ghouls.” If there was any doubt that a three-hour wait through opening bands and set changes would prove a worthwhile time investment, this quickly dissipates as New Yorkers We Are Scientists takes command of the stage. Lights begin to flash, illuminating their silhouettes in sneak-peek intervals, as the bass and drums gain momentum. Keith Murray’s pure and deep vocals join in—“We all recognize, that I’m the problem here…”
The El Rey crowd tonight was mainly made up of high schoolers, some donning “Scientist” tees and many faithfully clinging to spots at the stage edge. Routinely offbeat, We Are Scientists kicked off the surrealism with opening joke, “We’re Def Leppard. It’s good to be back in Seattle.”
The band played a gratifying and lengthy set that included a fair balance between With Love & Squalor and most recent album Brain Thrust Mastery. “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” held an awesome frenzied drum beat and drove girls wild with lyrics “My body is your body … If you want to use my body, go for it.” Also greatly received were catchy hit singles “Chick Lit” and “After Hours.” “That’s What Counts” was nicely raw and moody in its live rendition, in which resonant electric guitar and Chris Cain’s backup vocals blended with Keith crooning, “If I’m not waking up with you, why bother waking up at all?”
The audience was continuously engaged, hopping up and down excitedly as We Are Scientists played off the contagious enthusiasm. The typical witty, non sequitur banter that takes place between Chris and Keith during song breaks was especially enjoyable. Keith’s adorable boyish smile and playful side comments were a perfect complementary contrast to the rock star attitude he took on during song delivery.
As Keith worked the perfect indie-rocker stance and got down with his guitar all over the stage, Chris and his trademark mustache kept it real at the mic down stage left, keeping up solid bass lines and harmonies. In addition, keyboard and guitarist Max Hart was a delight to watch. With one hand on the keyboard and one on his waist, his rhythmic, sultry hip swivel was a priceless touch.
Toward the end of the night, Keith indulged fans with a dive into the crowd, where he weaved through the throngs of reaching arms, singing “Textbook” to audience members who gladly sang the lyrics back to him. The evening closed with “The Great Escape,” which ended up featuring unabashed dancing audience members on stage, prompting a security guard to kick them off. The song was an appropriate last hurrah, and after evaluating the results of tonight’s science experiment at the El Rey, I think it is safe to conclude that We Are Scientists in concert was a memorable and entertaining pop-rock rush.
Also take note We Are Scientists fans, the band is currently one of the acts trying to win the opening spot at the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival. You can cast your vote at the Virgin Mobile Festival website right now, so vote now, and vote often.
For more photos of the show, check out The Scenestar’s photo gallery.
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