It took guitarist Ben Watts and bassist Adrian Kirn a month to convince Colleen Clement to sing with them.

"I never sang in front of anybody before I sang with this band," said Clement.

She was so embarressed she cried during their first practice, but kept singing. Two years later, the addition of a drummer, a band name change and myriad practices, there isn't an inkling of stage fright written on her face.

Clement's soulful wailings are accompanied by the clean guitar riffs of Watts, the hard-driving basslines of Kirn and the pulsating beats of drummer Cameron LaFlam. Together, they are The Brain Cooks and if you've ever made a trip to The Cave or done your laundry in Campion late at night on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there's a good chance that you've heard their music pierce the walls of the music room and overflow into the hallway.

However, on this particular Thursday night, there was no indication of amplified instruments or vocals in the basement. After I double-checked my calendar, I knocked on the music room door.

"Don't come in yet!" Clement called out.

When they let me in, I found the band in the middle of a promotional photo shoot under the direction of Clement.

"I'm in Mom mode right now," Clement said as she focused her camera.

As Clement is the only member of The Brain Cooks with two X chromosomes, the fact that she has to go into "Mom mode" doesn't come as a surprise. During the photoshoot, The Brain Cooks silently waited for the flash, chuckling soon after. When the band members do talk, it's Kirn, LaFlam and Watts engaging in sarcastic shenanigans and playful banter.

"Are you taking your pants off?" one of their voices jokingly chides through the dark.

In another instance, Kirn and Watts inexplicably began addressing each other in British accents.

Clement doesn't hesitate to joke around with them and contribute a few one-liners herself. However, she is also the Wendy to their Lost Boys, not hesitant to remind them to focus.

After the photo shoot was complete, The Brain Cooks practiced in preparation for a show they played Friday in Ballard. It's hard to say what they sound like, but it's easy to say that they'll make you want to dance.

The Brain Cooks describe the writing process as "haphazard." Each member writes his or her own part, creating an unique and indescribable sound that stems from the blend of their separate but unified personalities.

They were initially described to me as "Yeah Yeah Yeahs-ish," but that description does them no justice. Powerful female vocals and groovy bass aside, The Brain Cooks have other signature elements that prevent them from being simplified in comparison to another band. Even other musicians have a hard time pinning them down.

"What's awesome about them is that their sound is so unique," said Bob Martin, sophomore and member of the band Kithkin. "I would have to name at least five different bands to describe what they sound like. They're unlike anything else that I've heard around the Seattle music scene."

When asked to define their own sound, the response from the band was a collective snicker followed by uncertain mumbles. If you ever get the chance to listen to them, you'll understand why. Their EP "Sometime After June" features catchy bass driven numbers like "Crystal Vision" and shimmery guitar lines on "Le Fauve." The EP is available free for download on thebraincooks.bandcamp.com.

The Brain Cooks have a show coming up at The Comet Tavern on May 4 at 9 p.m. 21 and up.

Rosalie may be reached at rcabison@su-spectator.com