We Are Scientists, The Griswolds @ The Factory Theatre, Sydney (30/05/2014)
Come rainy Friday evening, most will seek comfort within their homes than to venture out and experience the insatiable hit of live music that warms cold bones. As The Factory Theatre opened itself to a mixture of eager gig-goers and lovers of the nightlife, inside both The Griswolds and We Are Scientists prepared to deliver stellar sets from different musical frontiers.
Paying no attention to the season’s attire, The Griswolds floated onto the stage to throw the audience back into the summer vibe. Instantly the hopeful crowd was drawn towards the inviting harmonics of the band. Roaring basslines and deafening drumming layered the venue with an upbeat sensation that acted as the perfect backdrop to a blend of soft verses and pumped out choruses.
Leading the way as true representatives of party rock, the boys transformed the quaint stage into that of one seen at a summer festival. The performance was laced with smooth groves and some timely gestures from the audience. Taking time to play a new track off the upcoming album, there was a new level of depth revealed by the band. Disregarding their upbeat and fast offerings of their past tracks, the song (that we weren’t given the pleasure of knowing the title) stood out of their set as my personal highlight for it showed progression of a band that is ready to play in the competitive music industry.
Loosely drifting onto the stage, the three-piece from Brooklyn known as We Are Scientists were seldom to launch straight into playing. Instead they took the time to indulge in some light hearted banter between themselves and the audience. With a few laughs lifted up in the air, the band set forth from the relaxed tone set amongst the crowd.
After starting with After Hours the crowd really tuned into the performance, a cluster of loyal fans needed no further instruction to clammer to the front of the stage and sway along to a dose of American Indie-Rock.
Combining a set that featured more of Tv En Francais & With Love and Squalor than any of their other releases, the comparative play demonstrated musical growth tied in with the personal progression of the band members. Sure they can joke all night long, but on stage were a trio of very passionate musicians who have the talent to hold the night on their own (if need be).
Keith Murray balanced strong vocals and crafty guitar playing throughout the whole night to the point where he polished off his drink and played a riff with the empty bottle. Combined with the chemistry he shares with Chris Cain, seeing them come together for Make It Easy to seamlessly deliver well timed harmonies is a reflection of their bond together.
A notable mention for this set is drummer of the night Keith Carne whose fierceness on the drums rivaled the cumulative input of the other band members. Despite the tempo of the song or the atmosphere it delivers, it hardly seemed to faze Keith as he gave each track everything he had. Having to tweak the kit between each grueling beating, many audience members were fixated on the pure adrenaline rush Keith must have been experiencing during the set.
Finally ending the night with a string of more high octane numbers, We Are Scientists drew out all remnants of energy from the exhausted crowd. Pulling along a number of solos, extensive drum rolls and bellowing vocals, there couldn’t have been a better way to end the night than feeling every part of your body dancing along to each catchy piece.
It has been three years since the band has last visited Australia, for the people who missed out on the night, let us hope they won’t have to wait that long to get another chance to see a well formed act.
Scott Singh
Paying no attention to the season’s attire, The Griswolds floated onto the stage to throw the audience back into the summer vibe. Instantly the hopeful crowd was drawn towards the inviting harmonics of the band. Roaring basslines and deafening drumming layered the venue with an upbeat sensation that acted as the perfect backdrop to a blend of soft verses and pumped out choruses.
Leading the way as true representatives of party rock, the boys transformed the quaint stage into that of one seen at a summer festival. The performance was laced with smooth groves and some timely gestures from the audience. Taking time to play a new track off the upcoming album, there was a new level of depth revealed by the band. Disregarding their upbeat and fast offerings of their past tracks, the song (that we weren’t given the pleasure of knowing the title) stood out of their set as my personal highlight for it showed progression of a band that is ready to play in the competitive music industry.
Loosely drifting onto the stage, the three-piece from Brooklyn known as We Are Scientists were seldom to launch straight into playing. Instead they took the time to indulge in some light hearted banter between themselves and the audience. With a few laughs lifted up in the air, the band set forth from the relaxed tone set amongst the crowd.
After starting with After Hours the crowd really tuned into the performance, a cluster of loyal fans needed no further instruction to clammer to the front of the stage and sway along to a dose of American Indie-Rock.
Combining a set that featured more of Tv En Francais & With Love and Squalor than any of their other releases, the comparative play demonstrated musical growth tied in with the personal progression of the band members. Sure they can joke all night long, but on stage were a trio of very passionate musicians who have the talent to hold the night on their own (if need be).
Keith Murray balanced strong vocals and crafty guitar playing throughout the whole night to the point where he polished off his drink and played a riff with the empty bottle. Combined with the chemistry he shares with Chris Cain, seeing them come together for Make It Easy to seamlessly deliver well timed harmonies is a reflection of their bond together.
A notable mention for this set is drummer of the night Keith Carne whose fierceness on the drums rivaled the cumulative input of the other band members. Despite the tempo of the song or the atmosphere it delivers, it hardly seemed to faze Keith as he gave each track everything he had. Having to tweak the kit between each grueling beating, many audience members were fixated on the pure adrenaline rush Keith must have been experiencing during the set.
Finally ending the night with a string of more high octane numbers, We Are Scientists drew out all remnants of energy from the exhausted crowd. Pulling along a number of solos, extensive drum rolls and bellowing vocals, there couldn’t have been a better way to end the night than feeling every part of your body dancing along to each catchy piece.
It has been three years since the band has last visited Australia, for the people who missed out on the night, let us hope they won’t have to wait that long to get another chance to see a well formed act.
Scott Singh