There was a pretty interesting group out last night to bear witness to Arctic Monkeys and We Are Scientists at Stubb’s. Moms and their kids, shuttled in from the suburbs, were taking in the sounds alongside preppy potheads (we saw the dugout guys, you’re not slick. And un-tuck your shirt, you’re at a show). Apparently and unfortunately, blue hair-dye is still popular with some young ladies. Faux English soccer hooligans, well-tanned and not the least bit aggressive, dappled the crowd with red crosses while double-fisting plastic pints. Every person in attendance was anticipating a great show and they got one.

We Are Scientists (W.A.S.) -- Keith Murray (guitar and vocals), Chris Cain (bass, backing vocals, and sweet mustache), and Michael Tapper (drums, backing vocals, and “Texan” t-shirt) -- started their set at 8PM sharp. The mouthing of the words, that ubiquitous practice of many concert going fresh faces hoping to convince you, and others, that they do in fact know of the band and their music, was in full effect. The best instance was a young lady who, while mouthing the words, was broadcasting the first fifteen minutes of the W.A.S. set over her cell phone to an undisclosed party.

There were some tense moments after Keith Murray proclaimed Barton Springs a chlorine-free refuge for pee-pee. A few middle fingers and shouts from the audience prompted the trio to resume playing with a quickness. All was soon forgiven and the crowd was awash in pee-free power pop. As an added bonus, Alex Turner (guitar and vocals) and Matt Helders (drums and backing vocals) of the Arctic Monkeys joined W.A.S. on stage for some pretty copious rocking out (as pictured above). The set wrapped up shortly thereafter, and here’s your bottom line: We Are Scientists is a fun band. It should also be noted that the stage at Stubb’s is the most efficiently run platform in Austin.

Engage the Expand-O-Tron for the verdict on live Arctic Monkeys...

Arctic Monkeys -- Alex Turner (sleeveless), Jamie Cook (guitar and backing vocals), Nick O’Malley (playing relief bass for Andy Nicholson), and Matt Helders (perspiring) -- came to Austin in the midst of a grueling North American tour. Despite the ire, or, at least, suspicion, of the American media (blogosphere included), it was surprising to find that the exhausted wee-lads had an impressive stage presence and an endearing swagger.

They jumped right into their set and the mouthing of the words resumed en masse. The reaction was almost as electric as the action. The grooves were infectious, the vocals crisp, and the lighting tasteful. Turner's live chops are good enough to turn an Albarn and two Gallaghers green in an instant. The set featured most of the standards from their full-length debut, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, and about four new tracks. It was a tight, hour long set that proved the band to be more than a fluke of intertron marketing and NME hype. They really are a precocious bunch.

This group is a logical progression in the Brit Pop canon and being so young they should be able to produce for years, provided they can withstand the pressure and the criticism. Hate on Arctic Monkeys as you may, player, but the fact remains: they got game and they put on a great show.