Scientists With Brains

A school crammed with adolescent girls must be a tough environment for teachers...especially male teachers. All the oestrogen floating in the air with innocent whispers of platform shoes, spotty boys and tampons in the same sentence can't be a pretty sight. I always wondered why teachers would put themselves through it. In particular my science teacher. He was a slight man, with a bearded face and hair that was always dull with grease. He conformed to the stereotype by wearing trousers that were constantly fighting a losing battle with his ankles and blazers with the leather padded elbows. He didn't really do himself any justice and we girls never really left him alone. He would always walk around school singing to himself and we would waste an hour's lesson asking him to sing Spice Girls songs - which he happily agreed to. There were moments when we considered him only as our amusement but I like to think that we all developed respect and a caring affection for the old man.

Since then I had considered all scientists to slot into that image. Even if they are three men exclaiming to screaming girls 'We Are Scientists!'
I'm partial to the geeky, bookish type but I would never have thought that kind of thing would sell. But when you are witty, dry humoured and can sing like an angel then you are doing something right - it's all starting to sound like my science teacher, isn't it?

Well, these Scientists have well and truly returned. As a twosome may I add since the departure of drummer Michael but that's not stopping them from making noise. Matured like a class A French cheese, they seem to be taking things more seriously and proving they are far from the one hit wonder some people originally thought. They ripped up the London scene with furious intensity and toured continuously across the globe like erm…scientists on crack (excuse the pun!). After a well deserved time out, the New York poppets have enlightened us to a brand new single and a delicious taster of what’s to come on the always difficult sophomore album. After Hours has an unassuming repetitiveness that is juxtaposed with heartfelt lyrics as Keith cries out in desperation ‘say that you’ll stay!’

And our reply to you Keith, is we’re not going anywhere.

WAS are back on the destructive road for a UK and European tour and begin with a handful of free in store appearances. Get there early!

Check WAS myspace for further details

3 Mar 08 – 18.00

Instore Performance - HMV Glasgow Glasgow, Scotland

4 Mar 08 – 16.30

Instore Performance - Jumbo Records, Leeds Leeds, Midlands

5 Mar 08 – 17.00

Instore Performance - Rapture Entertainment Ltd, Witney Witney, South

6 Mar 08 – 17.30

Instore Performance - Fopp, Cambridge Cambridge, Midlands

7 Mar 08 – 18.00

Instore Performance - Banquet Records, Kingston Kingston, London and South East

24 Mar 08 - Cologne Gloria

25 Mar 08 - Hamburg Ubel & Gefahrlich

26 Mar 08 - Dresden Beatpol

27 Mar 08 - Fribourg Fri-son

29 Mar 08 - Munich Elserhalle

30 Mar 08 - Mousonturm Frankfurt

1 Apr 08 - Rotterdam Rotown

02 Apr 08 - Groningen Vera

03 Apr 08 - Utrecht Tivoli De Helling

07 Apr 08 - Dublin Ambassador Dublin

08 Apr 08 - Galway Roisin Dubh Galway

09 Apr 08 - Belfast Mandela Hall

10 Apr 08 - Derry Nerve Centre

12 Apr 08 - Glasgow Barrowlands Scotland

13 Apr 08 - Aberdeen Music Hall Scotland

14 Apr 08 - Newcastle Northumbria University

15 Apr 08 - Manchester University

17 Apr 08 - Sheffield Octagon

18 Apr 08 - Birmingham Academy

19 Apr 08 - Nottingham Rock City

20 Apr 08 - Norwich U.E.A

22 Apr 08 - Southampton Guildhall

23 Apr 08 - Bristol Academy

24 Apr 08 - London Shepherds Bush Empire

25 Apr 08 - London Shepherds Bush Empire

The Stills @ Richards on Richards Vancouver, BC

Yet more photos from The Stills West Coast shows back in 27th April 2006. To promote the new release of Without Feathers. A truly beautiful show.


For more pictures go to Ampify This Flickr page
The Stills webpage and myspace

Land of Talk @ Water Rats

How must a band feel to play on a Monday night? It's the start of the week, the weekend has just flashed past in a whiskey fuelled blur and the red blood vessels in your eyes are becoming more obvious during the meeting about accounts and reconcilliations. Unfortunately, it's always the really great bands that get the shitty nights for their gigs. Especially when it's a debut headline show but I think that's to our advantage. The Water Rats Theatre in Kings Cross is empty and I honestly can't contain my excitement. Reason being that before I left work I got an email from The Cloud Room mailing list telling me they are in town tonight and performing at none other than.......WATER RATS. The Cloud Room......supporting Land of Talk. Is this possible!!

So, standing by the side of the stage I await The Cloud Room. After seeing them some years back, it will be good to hear their new material, which does not fail to impress. The energy they send through an empty room is immense. With the cross armed crowd standing at a distance, lead singer J didn't seem to worry. Sweaty with veins about to burst every song had the same enthusiasm. They kept Hey Now Now until the end which made the crowd light up with a 'wait a minute, i know this song' arrogance and then it was all over. A short 30 minute set and they strolled backstage...leaving us wanting more.

Now, I love Canadian bands-fact! And I love it even more when they play London. Land Of Talk's mini album has been on my turntable for quite some time and I was becoming quite giddy at the thought of seeing them in the current intimate surroundings. The lighting is low and slightly romantic. The pixie that is Elizabeth is partly hidden by her own shadows as she closes her eyes and sighs down the microphone...easy boys! The focus is on her. Maybe because girls in bands is still a new, exciting thing. Especially someone like Elizabeth who can't help but make you want to look at her.

For more pictures go to Ampify This Flickr page
Land Of Talk myspace
The Cloud Room myspace