Messed!Up
We Are Scientists, the band that released the smashing albums With Love And Squalor and Brain Thrust Mastery in the mid-2000s, were back for their tenth gig in Hamburg, and at Knust, which they claimed is one of their favorite venues in the world.
Though first making a name for themselves alongside bands such as Maximo Park or Razorlight, We Are Scientists’ trajectory has been a little more modest than the aforementioned, yet no less prolific. With eight studio albums now under their belt, the ninth on the way, not to mention regular well-attended tours up and down the country, it’s easy to see why the band are as liked and as respected as they are. For a band that’s been active for over two decades, We Are Scientists still know how to put on a show that feels fresh, intense, and full of charm. Tonight, they once again showed why they continue to draw devoted fans and win over new ones, with their irresistible mix of indie rock anthems and tongue-in-cheek charisma.
A short wait after hilarious support act Sean McVerry left the stage, and after the opening Top Gun Theme, the never-aging Keith Murray and Chris Cain, and their live drummer Keith Carne, burst onto the stage with a powerfully uplifting performance of ‘This Scene Is Dead’ from their fan favorite album With Love And Squalor, and surged into ‘Chick Lite’ from their second best album, Brain Thrust Mastery. Murray’s and Cain’s stage presence was equal parts rock stars and stand-up comedians, trading witty banter with each other between songs, even repeating jokes already told by support act Sean McVerry, which made it even more fun to watch. It’s not just a concert, it’s a comedy show, and a sweaty indie dance party all at once.
Away from the comedy, there’s plenty of music left. Despite the often ironic tone, there’s nothing half-hearted about their musicianship. The energy never dipped, with tight Murray’s guitar riffs and Cain’s thumping bass driving the set forward, and they had the audience on their side the whole show. But it’s an easy task when the setlist is dominated by songs off their three most popular album, 2005’s With Love And Squalor, 2008’s Brain Thrust Mastery, and 2010’s Barbara. To me, it was like a greatest hits night, and I’m not complaining!
But they found space to squeeze in a few new songs, like the latest single ‘Please Don’t Say It’ and two more songs off their upcoming album that will be released in June. Or like Cain said, ‘How are you gonna learn if we don’t play them now […] Pretend that you like them and we may release the album’.
Highlights of the night were “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” and “Less From You”, the latter played as the ‘last’ song, but after exiting the stage and one minute of the classic German ‘Zugabe’ chants they were back with two final songs, “I Could Do Much Worse” from their upcoming ninth studio album Qualifying Miles, and their epic fan favorite ‘After Hours’. We Are Scientists yet again delivered an incredibly fun show with a setlist of hits that satisfied older fans whilst providing a great introduction to those who had never heard the band’s older albums. Their constant enthusiasm and charisma make for a fantastic night. The chemistry between Murray and Cain continues to radiate through their live performances, bouncing off each other and the crowd with unparalleled wit. And again, we’re applauding the support act and We Are Scientists’ bonus guitarist on the last songs, Sean McVerry – hilariously fun. Check him out as well!
**********
Photographer: Niko Schmuck
