Back in 2006, when Arctic Monkeys won the breakthrough award at the BRITs, it was Keith Murray of We Are scientists who accepted the award, and for most of the mainstream press, and those at the event, it went unnoticed.
Eight years later, whilst Alex Turner et al have rocketed to world wide fame, acclaim and festival headline status, We Are Scientists have remained just below the radar. Even more so now that the indie boom that they helped lead with the impeccable debut With Love And Squalor has died down.
However, tonight's pre-tour show at the Camden Barfly proved that by lack of over-exposure, the New York based band have managed to ensure credible longevity. Opening with classic track ‘After Hours’ before bursting into new single ‘Dumb luck’ taken of the new album TV en Français.
Prince may have been playing a heaving gig just down the road, but when an established band plays a gig at such an intimate venue then you always guarantee an involved and passionate crowd. When the WAS guys played the opening chords of ‘Nobody Move, Nobody Gets Hurt', the response was no less than an explosion.
The energy from there on in was electric. Both Chris Cain and Keith Murray were bantering with aplomb, making light of the tube strikes which affected no one who truly wanted to be at the gig.
By playing new unheard tracks, amongst their impressive back catalogue, made plain the fact that We Are Scientists are back on top form - and hopefully will make the biggest impact of their career thus far. They even played a song which they have written since finalizing ‘TV en Francais’, for their next NEXTalbum, which again was a belter.
One of the best bands to come out of the indie boom that started ten years ago, and thankfully, one that has remained.
Below: Awesome and exclusive photos of We Are Scientists live at Camden Barfly
