Q + A: experimental rockers SICMaN of Virginia

Base of Operations  Norfolk and Virginia Beach

Style of Music  “We do a lot of genre hopping,” said drummer Joe Welch. The trio performs anything from reggae and blues to experimental rock.

Bio Welch met singer and guitarist Matt Holloman when the two of them were  in their early teens and attending Kempsville Middle School in 1992. “I had pretty much just gotten a drum set like a year prior to meeting Matt,” he said. The guys started playing in Welch’s parents’ garage because of their interest in blues and the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and continued through high school. They perfected their skills at The Jewish Mother Blues Jam. By the time they got out of high school, their musical taste was changing to more experimental  bands such as Funkadelic, Frank Zappa and Sublime.  Around the same  time, Holloman began writing original material.
For the past six years, the duo has concentrated on writing and recording, and released “A SICMaN’s Guide to Illness,” which is available on iTunes. They met bassist John Litz two years ago, and they’ve been gigging for the past year.

Quote  “We are very satirical; I guess we get that from listening to Zappa. We’re not a comedy band, but that humor does translate into our live performances.” He referenced  their song “Sweatpants of Love.”

Where playing  9 p.m. Friday, June 25, Regal Beagle, 605 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach. $5. (757) 428-4695.

Website  www.myspace.com/sicman