Their name was inspired by an awkward conversation with a U-Haul employee who was inspecting a van that the band had rented. The U-haul employee, attempting to make polite conversation, asked the three bespectacled band members if they were brothers. They said no. He asked if they were scientists, as they looked like they could be the kind of people who wear lab coats. They told him that they were musicians, not scientists. To this day, they regret telling the truth. They are not named after the Cap'n Jazz song which bears the name.
They are a franchise of Art Rock band, Art Brut. In fact, they are Art Brut 47.
The band formed while its members attended the Claremont Colleges. Murray and Cain attended Pomona College; Michael Tapper attended Harvey Mudd College.
The band has released three self-made EPs (Bitching!, Safety, Fun, and Learning (In That Order) and In Action). Their debut LP, With Love And Squalor was on Virgin Records, the first three singles of which were "Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt", "The Great Escape" and "It's A Hit". The album takes its name from the J.D. Salinger short story "For Esme - With Love and Squalor". They have since released LP Crap Attack, which is a collection of B-Sides, covers and other rarities, and their full follow-up album, Brain Thrust Mastery which debuted in the UK on March 17,2008 reached number 11 at the UK Album charts.
On the 1st November 2007, NME reported that Michael Tapper has left We Are Scientists under amicable circumstances, and on September 18, 2007, the band announced on their website that Max Hart, a keyboardist and guitarist who has played live with them before, has joined the band temporarily. As they put it: "There's no easy answer as to how long Max will stick around. Maybe we'll grow to hate his sanctimonious ways, which for now tickle us so. Maybe he'll grow to hate our open-minded, funny, refreshing, handsome ways, thus achieving what psychologists and bookies long ago labeled impossible."
And to make things even more exciting for the band, We Are Scientists is featured in the soundtrack of the 2008 film Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, which Bishop Allen - at the time featuring former We Are Scientists drummer Michael Tapper - appears in a cameo.
According to Keith Murray's Wikipedia he was nominated for World's Sexiest Vegetarian 2007 and is predicted that he will be the new face of Louis Vuitton's spring/summer '09 collection.
The Band's 3rd effort, Barbara, was released in June of 2010 and features ex-Razorlight drummer Andy Burrows.
Dinosaurs
We Are Scientists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But who could predict the force of the throw?
It helps to pretend to not care at all
The truth is that I could not want it more
Soon they will come and pass us by
A shift in tone and rise in tide
To learn to swim or learn to die
The bigger the break the harder the fall
The hits in this case are too close to call
The stress and the strain are starting to show
This all has to end and I oughta know
Soon they will come and pass us by
A shift in tone and rise in tide
To learn to swim or learn to die
To cast a stone or cast aside
Soon they will come and pass us by
A shift in tone and rise in tide
To learn to swim or learn to die
Are choices I have been left with
It's natural selection
It's natural selection
It's natural selection
Hey I suggest that we just stop
The song "Dinosaurs" by We Are Scientists deals with the concept of change and the inevitability of life's twists and turns. The first verse talks about the singer's apprehension towards an impending change, but also their desire for it. The line "who could predict the force of the throw?" suggests that even if they were aware of the change, they wouldn't be able to control it. The singer then admits that it's easier to pretend they don't care, but in reality, they want this change to happen.
The second verse acknowledges that change is imminent and will pass by them, requiring them to adapt or perish. The line "to learn to swim or learn to die" is a metaphor for the idea that we are constantly faced with choices that could either help us survive or lead to our downfall. The chorus repeats the shift in tone and rise in tide, indicating the unstoppable flow of time and the changes that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
This all has to end and I oughta know
I am aware that our relationship cannot continue as it is and it need to come to an end.
But who could predict the force of the throw?
Despite knowing that our relationship might end, it's still hard to predict how it will actually end.
It helps to pretend to not care at all
Acting like I don't care helps me deal with the possibility of a future without you.
The truth is that I could not want it more
Deep down I am hoping that this relationship will not end and I still have strong feelings for you.
Soon they will come and pass us by
The events leading to the end of our relationship will happen and pass us by.
A shift in tone and rise in tide
Things will change and there will be an impact that may be out of our control.
To learn to swim or learn to die
The situation we are in is so intense that our choices are to either move on or suffer from the consequences.
Are choices I have been left with
I have no other option but to make a decision in which direction this relationship should go.
The bigger the break the harder the fall
The break up from a relationship at this stage will be harder to get over than if it happened earlier.
The hits in this case are too close to call
It's difficult to anticipate and prepare for the pain and damage that will result from the break up.
The stress and the strain are starting to show
The tension and anxiety of not knowing what will happen next is weighing heavily on me.
It's natural selection
The process of our relationship ending is part of the natural order of things - a necessary step in our growth.
Hey I suggest that we just stop
Perhaps it's for the best that we simply end our relationship and move on.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CAIN, KEITH MURRAY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fr3sht1lld3ff
Just listened to this song last night and I cant get enough haha Time to check out their other tracks ^_^
@IamSalvatore
YOU HAVE JUST BEEN BESTED
@ACleverName17
probobly my new favorite song
@holsam123
@HenroFilms This *is so awesome live
@HenroFilms
this would be so awesome live
@TheyCallMeLadyLame
could you upload the rest of the album? many thanks :)
@seaweedsmoke
We Are Scientists FTW
@IamSalvatore
If I remember right, the rest of the album IS uploaded, by various others. I don't have much reason to upload songs that are already here, although I will take a look (later) to see if there are any missing videos.
@BLARGHALT
This song's title is factual. Raptors make excellent biochemists.