Memories of We Are Scientists

There is a great deal of buzz surrounding We Are Scientists in the UK, and it is starting to spill over into America. They're featured in the current issue of Spin, and have already appeared on MTVu and Current TV. The low-down is hipster NYC trio who mix a bit of dance rock with a little humor and some sensitivity. Their debut is already out in the UK, and hits America in mid-January. If you scan through the blogosphere, you will find a great deal of chatter regarding these boys (as well as some rather insightful interviews with guitarist Keith at You Ain't No Picasso and Chris's Music Snobbery).

All that aside, you may be asking yourself what makes WAS different from the other buzz bands being discussed in the UK press (like Editors and Arctic Monkeys). Well, maybe nothing for you, but for me on the other hand ....

You see I went to college in Southern California at a little college that was grouped with four other little colleges, and, well, that just so happens to be the place where WAS took their first steps. The first time I saw WAS was 2001, playing to maybe 30 people in an old craftsman-style cottage known as the Grove House. The Grove House was a special place - home to the best cookies ever and some amazing dance parties. During my junior year, I got really into throwing parties and even though they had then relocated to New York, they were happy to come back and rock out a couple of times each year. Long before they were a buzz band, the Claremont Colleges were buzzing with We Are Scientists fever. It was not uncommon to see students flock in the hundreds to a WAS show, so, if you wanted people to come to a party - WAS was a sure bet. Many of these shows took place in the Grove House, which has a capacity of about 50 people. Needless to say, we over packed the place. Sometimes Keith Murray would come and play solo shows, where he would delight fans with WAS classics as well as stellar covers, like "P.I.M.P." and "My Love Don't Cost a Thing."

What was so thrilling was seeing them develop their sound, and now hearing "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt," it appears they found it. I remember when I first heard "The Great Escape" in 2003 at an event called "Groove at the Grove" - Keith told me then it was his favorite We Are Scientists song.

There was always something special about WAS when they played - something that said they would soon become much more than just the college's favorite band. All seems to be in place with the NME Awards Tour, some stellar opening slots and a shout-out from the "Harry Potter" kid in Rolling Stone. As I sit back and enjoy watching it, I will cherish the memories.