Despite downsizing back to a tight three-piece for their slot in King Tut’s Wah Wah Tent, We are Scientists didn’t compromise on energy, sound, or good, old-fashioned fun.
The New York rockers grinned on stage like two naughty toddlers before launching into the upbeat Nice Guys, the second single off latest album, Barbara.
The packed out tent seemed to be in just as high spirits as the band did, as both artist and audience made the most of the space available to them, dancing and singing with as much liveliness as the most hipster of puppies.
Guitarist Keith Murray and bassist Chris Cain, renowned for their sharp quips in interviews, provided some excellent craic between songs, exclusively revealing that one trackwas originally written for Eminem to rap over “but he didn’t want it”. More fool him.
Predictably, the most manic reception was reserved for their biggest hits, Nobody Move Nobody’s Gonna Get Hurt, After Hours and Great Escape, but with 45 minutes to fill the band managed to fit in plenty of newer material, keeping things fresh.
An impromptu chant of We! Are! Scientists! We Are Scientists! from the crowd gave Murray the opportunity to use the immortal “That’s our name, don’t wear it out!” but not before he’d let his glee at the crowd’s raucous enthusiasm write itself all over his face.
Come the final number and the inevitable “Thank you! You guys rock! We’ve had an awesome time!” etc, I got the impression that this time the normally cringey lines were spoken sincerely. And do you know what, We Are Scientist? You guys rock too. I hope you make good your promise to organise another 13 T’s a year and play all of them.
