We Are Scientists @ The Bowery Ballroom

We Are Scientists began releasing the first of their discography in 2005 and have continuously sold out venues over a decade later. The three-piece band consists of Keith Murrary (vocals and guitar), Chris Cain (bass), and Keith Carne (drums). 

The band grew from the 2000s New York indie rock scene. However, the band has found their own niche in the scene that is completely unique to themselves and it has kept them thriving ever since. Their musicianship speaks volumes as they have been able to hook and sustain fans since the band’s beginning. 

The evening at The Bowery Ballroom started with a bustling venue swirling with fans. 

As the clock ticked, We Are Scientists fan base stretched across generations and lines uniformly filled up with people waiting for the set to begin. The audience began to touch the back of the venue to the bar. The balcony was filled with people leaning on the edge, and as others entered through the doors, they were pushed back to the exit doors.

A guitar note rang loudly over the mostly silent crowd, and the noise from the audience ceased. Drummer Keith Carne took the stage first. As he did, cheers came from the crowd as he walked across the stage to the drums, a beer in hand raised to the audience. He hit the cymbals a few times as bandmates Keith Murrary and Chris Cain came out and began setting up. 

Their set began as they kicked into “Lucky Just To Be Here” off their latest album Lobes, released in January 2023. Murray’s voice had great range and he used it to emphasize the band’s ability to diversify their music. Their originals had undertones of teenage nostalgia with heartfelt lyrics and stirred emotions. Without seeing them on stage, it would be impossible to guess that only three people were making that sound. We Are Scientists were as dynamic as a perfectly practiced six-piece band and sounded just as full as one. 

After the first two songs, the band paused to say, “Thanks for being here. It's great to be back in New York.” The three bandmates had conversations on stage throughout the entire night. They talked about everything and anything that made the audience laugh until they would begin their next song. These small interactions made for a more personal  experience for the audience as it watched the band converse together, as if they were talking to their friends. 

Throughout their set We Are Scientists played a variety of their originals, spanning across their discography. Some included, “Settled Accounts,” “Contact High,” “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt,” and “I Cut My Own Hair.”

As each song was just a few notes in, cheers would rise as the crowd identified the song. The harmonies and tempo changes were distinct to their originals. Murray played fiery guitar solos that heavily leaned to the rock side of their music. They were able to vary between a light and dark sound in their music and seamlessly blend the two together, as well as transitioning into songs without missing a beat.

We Are Scientists ended their Bowery Ballroom set with “After Hours” as they closed their 2023 North America tour. 

Follow We Are Scientists on Instagram, Spotify and their website. 

All photos via Tori Mcgraw (@afterr.hourrs)