Backstage with ...

Uglyography

Matt Thomas blames his horrible handwriting and his tendency to look up odd words on the Internet for the name Uglyography. "I came across the word and thought to myself, ‘For anyone that has ever tried to read my handwriting, this would make a good band name,’ " he said.

Uglyography started as a solo project in 2005. Last June, Thomas added guitarist Nate Kofron and drummer Al DiMaggio to the lineup. He plans to add a keyboard player to the mix.

The band recently released "Undercover New Machine" on Steamy Attic Records, its independent label. A song sampling from the 13-track disc can be heard by visiting the band’s website at www.uglyography.com. Thomas, a Web developer for Newport News Public Schools, tags the genre as "quirkadelic rock."

"My Brain" offers up lyrics that encourage listeners to think for themselves. The song got some radio airplay before the CD was completed.

Earlier this month, Uglyography performed a live podcast for the local, Web-based Your Music Show, and has other gigs scheduled through April. "We hope to do a few shows a month locally, then get out of town once a month to branch out," Thomas said.

FROM
Hampton

THEY PLAY
"There’s strong elements of quirkiness in the melody and lyrics. Then there’s also some ’70s psychedelic British rock in the guitar and keyboard work with some pop/punk thrown in as well," said singer/songwriter and bassist Matt Thomas.

SEE THEM
9 .m. March 26; Goody's Deli and Pub, 11 Queen's Way, Hampton; (757) 722-3662

WEBSITE
www.uglyography.com