AMERICAN indie-rockers We Are Scientists are heading to Southampton for one of only two shows in the UK this December.

Ahead of their much anticipated gig at The Engine Rooms on Wednesday , bassist and vocalist Chris Cain spoke exclusively to RICHARD DERBYSHIRE from tour in Berlin.

“We’re currently in northern Europe doing shows with our great friends Tim, Mark and Rick from Ash” explained Chris.

“We’re calling it the WASH tour as a combination of their name and our initials. It saves everyone having to learn a new word!” he laughed.

“There’s a fun competitive spirit on the tour with lots of dares and good natured goading between the bands, usually around alcohol on our days off!

“Tim is also an avid Muay Thai boxer and he’s been roping in the rest of us to spar with him. So far, Rick, his own drummer, has come off the worst!”

“We’ve also set ourselves a challenge to play a new cover song together at the end of each show, but it’s taken a bit longer to learn some of them with all six of us involved!”

Back in Southampton Chris, lead singer-guitarist Keith Murray and drummer Keith Carne will be playing the full headline set themselves.

With songs from five albums, including their break through compilation With Love and Squalor and their number 11 hit Brain Thrust Mastery, there are plenty of tunes for the entertaining band to choose from.

“We always enjoyed playing in the south” said Chris.

“We’ve good memories of Southampton Guildhall and, incredibly, it’s now almost ten years exactly since our gig at The Joiners Arms.

“I especially remember that one as it was so hot. The band and the audience were just covered in sweat and on the verge of passing out, but it was a great show.

Chris revealed that the Brooklyn based band, who also played a storming set at Portsmouth’s Victorious festival in August, have exciting new plans for 2016, including new songs and an extensive UK tour.

“We’ve finished recording and mixing our next album” Chris revealed.

“It still needs mastering and naming, but all the songs are ready and now it’s just sorting out the art work and design.”

“The new album is deeply guitar based. There’s no radical departures, but fans will hear more synthesisers and drum samples than before. This also is the first one that Keith has played drums on.

“I guess it’s more pop-rock than our previous full-on rock sound. The new tunes have a good vibe. We’ll definitely be trying some of them out in Southampton.”

The night at The Engine Rooms coincides with a big match for The Saints in the Capital One League Cup at home against Liverpool and Chris noticed an interesting coincidence.

“When we played at the Old Fire Station in Bournemouth this summer Liverpool were in town for a Premier League game, so it seems like they are following us around. They should all try to get down to the gig afterwards if there isn’t extra time and penalties!”

We are Scientists play at The Engine Rooms on West Quay Road, Southampton on Wednesday.

Tickets £15 from engineroomssouthampton.com