by James Christopher Monger Brooklyn-based indie rock trio We Are Scientists formed in 2000 around the talents of guitarist/lead vocalist Keith Murray, bass player Chris Cain, and drummer Michael Tapper. After building a small but devoted following through their epic live shows and a series of three self-released EPs, the group signed with Virgin Records. Their major-label debut, With Love and Squalor, was released in early 2006. In 2008, the group -- which was now just the duo of Cain and Murray -- put out their second full-length, also on Virgin, entitled Brain Thrust Mastery.