We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists, formed in Berkeley, California, in 1999, consists primarily of Keith Murray (guitar, vocals) and Chris Cain (bass guitar). Keith Carne joined the group for live performances and studio recordings in 2013. The band’s early days involved Murray and Cain meeting at Pomona College, later co-founding the group with Scott Lamb in Berkeley. After relocating to New York in 2001, Michael Tapper joined on drums, with Murray taking on vocal and guitar duties. Their debut album, “Safety, Fun, and Learning (In That Order)” (2002), released through their own Devious Semantics label, marked their official entry into the music scene, though they later referred to it as more of a ‘rough draft.’

The band’s breakthrough came with their 2005 album, “With Love and Squalor,” which sold 100,000 copies in its first six months and featured singles like “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” and “The Great Escape.” This period saw them signing with Virgin Records and making their U.S. network television debut on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” Their career progressed with further albums including “Brain Thrust Mastery” (2008), which faced bureaucracy from EMI after Virgin’s merger, and “Barbara” (2010), released through their own Master Swan Recordings. They also ventured into television with the MTV series “Steve Wants His Money” in 2009, showcasing their humor. Andy Burrows briefly joined as a drummer before Keith Carne became a consistent member.

Over the years, We Are Scientists continued releasing albums such as “TV en Français” (2014), “Helter Seltzer” (2016), “Megaplex” (2018), “Huffy” (2021), “Lobes” (2023), and the upcoming “Qualifying Miles” (2025). They consistently toured, playing at major festivals like Reading and Leeds, Glastonbury, and T in the Park. Beyond music, their comedic approach has been a constant, infusing interviews, press releases, and live shows. Collaborations with artists like Art Brut and supporting acts like Snow Patrol have further marked their career, alongside reissues and special editions celebrating their discography, such as the 15th-anniversary vinyl reissue of “With Love and Squalor” in 2019.