We Are Scientists

The Duchess
York
23rd July 2012

Scientists at work...

by wendavey on 6th March 2013 14:08

New York based indie-geeks We Are Scientists breezed into York Friday evening for an appointment at the Duchess, the 400 capacity underground venue located on the Stonebow. The sellout crowd were delighted to see them, as well as a little relieved due to the band having to cancel four dates on their current tour to help singer Keith Murray rest his vocal chords following doctor's advice after recent recording work. Having canceled dates in Portsmouth, Manchester, Bristol and Glasgow and not the more provincial date at the Duchess there was no doubt the crowd we're up for giving the band a great welcome as a mark of gratitude. Opening with 'Nice Guys' and 'Impatience' the venue was soon exceedingly warm and destined to get hotter as the evening progressed. With no new releases since 2010's 'Barbara' I was expecting a similar setlist to that heard on last summer's visit, especially after hearing that no new songs were performed at The Garage in London a few days earlier. It was therefore a real bonus to catch the band perform three new numbers scattered cross their 90 minute set, 'Let's See It', 'Courage' and 'What You Do Best' which bode well for their new album currently planned for release early next year.

In addition to the preview of the new material other highlights of the set including storming versions of 'Rules Don't Stop', 'Nobody Move, Nobody Get's Hurt', and 'After Hours'. By the time the band left the stage the walls were dripping with condensation and an encore of 'Central AC' and a rousing version of 'It's A Hit' rounded off a terrific performance.

The band have promised to ensure they play the four cities they had to cancel shows in on their next visit to these shores, but this will probably be next year. In the meantime, they continue to be a reliable purveyor of high quality, guitar driven indie rock with a neat line in catchy tunes and they are welcome back any time.