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.
This Means War
We Are Scientists Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a right way and a wrong way to approach this
But I'm not stupid despite how it seems
And you can't do this if I'm not listening
Why does everything have to become a lesson?
There's a difference between candor and confession
Well, I'm not stupid despite how it seems
You say what you want
Everyone else is wrong
Nothing I do is my fault
I'm telling the truth
Say what you want
Everyone else is wrong
Nothing I do is my fault
So cut it out
I've been counting down the days until it happened
There's a wrong way to approach this kind of action
'Cause I'm not stupid despite how it seems
And you can't do this if I'm not listening
You say what you want
Everyone else is wrong
Nothing I do is my fault
I'm telling the truth
Say what you want
Everyone else is wrong
Nothing I do is my fault
This means war
'Cause I'm not stupid despite how it seems
And you can't do this if I'm not listening
You say what you want
Everyone else is wrong
Nothing I do is my fault
I'm telling the truth
Say what you want
Everyone else is wrong
Nothing I do is my fault
So cut it out
The lyrics of "This Means War" by We Are Scientists illustrate a strained relationship in which one party (presumably the singer or singer) has been counting down the days until the other party notices or acknowledges their position. The singer believes in the existence of a right way and a wrong way to address their problem and considers themselves not stupid, despite how it might seem. However, the singer sounds resentful that every situation turns into a lesson and that the other person can't get their point across unless the singer starts to listen. The chorus repeats several times, with the singer calling out the other person's hypocrisy and portrays the warring which is happening between them.
The lyrics reveal the tension that exists in the relationship, where the singer is frustrated with the other person's inability to see things from their perspective. The singer's ability to recognize the difference between candor and confession indicates that the other person may be hiding something behind their words. The chorus, "This Means War," suggests that the singer is willing to fight for what they believe in and stand up for themselves, even if the other person refuses to take responsibility and blames everything on them.
Overall, this song is a call to action, urging the other person to come to terms with their actions and understand the other speaker's perspective. The frustration and tension between the parties are palpable, suggesting the need for open and honest communication.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been counting down the days till you notice
I've been eagerly waiting for you to pay attention to me
There's a right way and a wrong way to approach this
There are different ways to handle this situation, and some are better than others
But I'm not stupid despite how it seems
I may look clueless, but I'm actually aware of what's going on
And you can't do this if I'm not listening
You need my attention to carry out your plan
Why does everything have to become a lesson?
Why do you always have to criticize and educate me?
There's a difference between candor and confession
Being honest doesn't mean revealing everything
You say what you want
You freely express your opinion
Everyone else is wrong
You believe you're the only one who knows what's right
Nothing I do is my fault
You refuse to take responsibility for any mistake
I'm telling the truth
You claim you're being honest and sincere
So cut it out
Stop behaving like that
I've been counting down the days until it happened
I've been anticipating this moment, even if it's not a pleasant one
'Cause I'm not stupid despite how it seems
I want you to know that I'm not naive, despite what you might think
There's a wrong way to approach this kind of action
Some ways to handle this situation are definitely wrong
This means war
I'm ready to confront you and fight back
So cut it out
I urge you to stop behaving in this inappropriate manner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER CAIN, KEITH MURRAY, MICHAEL TAPPER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind