SICMAN of Virginia

Artist Information

Biography

"SICMaN is the punk rock version of the Grateful Dead" --J. Slutman, GWAR / ManIsDoomed

A genre bending rock band from Virginia Beach, VA. The name is weird, the sound is weirder. Heavy mellow music for the common man. With their ability to improvise and stretch out jams and mix it up with heavier rock tunes and spaced out folk, they can be summed up as a "punk rock version of the Grateful Dead".

Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Joe Welch and Matt Holloman have been writing, playing, and recording music together since childhood. With the addition of bass player and long time friend, Scott Griffin, SICMAN has been performing throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. The band is currently recording their fourth album featuring an appearance by Dave Dreiwitz (of WEEN). In the last two years they have received nominations in numerous categories for VEER magazine’s local music awards including “Album of The Year” for their 2012 release titled “Stale As It Ever Was” which aslo had a track featured on the RELIX Magazine CD compilation last summer. The band just finished an East Coast tour in spring 2013, stopping through Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, NYC, and Massachusetts including a performance with members of WEEN at John & Peter's Place and a taping for Music Closet TV. The band is also making appearances at Poor Farm Fest (WVA) and The Cosmic Campout (VA) this summer. They have shared the stage with Instant Death featuring 4/5 of WEEN, The Whigs, and Company of Thieves, among others.

With their musical roots ranging from blues to prog-rock, the band produces a surprisingly smooth mixture of progressive Post-punk/Psyche-folk/Rock tunes.

http://www.sicman.com

Instrumentation

Matt Holloman - guitar and vocals
Joe Welch - Vocals, Drums, Synth, rubber chicken
Scott Griffin - Bass, sonic madness

Discography

2012 - Stale as it Ever Was
2011 - Sweatpants and Other Unnecessary Nonsense
2003 - "a sicman's guide to illness..."

Official Website

http://www.sicman.com

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Youtube
• Jam Base
• CD Baby
• Amazon

Audio

• Time
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• Driving Miss Crazy
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• Mals Still Around
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• Widejewaitsolong
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• Don't Call
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• No Control
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• Falling Behind
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Lyrics

• All The Time In The Ground

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• New Jam Rock Music: SICMaN of Virginia [+ Show ]
  

  I’ll be honest, when I saw this band’s name I was really worried they’d be some scremo band comprise...I’ll be honest, when I saw this band’s name I was really worried they’d be some scremo band comprised of angsty teens out of NOVA. Growing up there, this would not have been surprising at all. Well, I was surprised, because SICMAN of Virginia is not an angsty scremo band, they are a really awesome new jam rock band.
  I don’t know if it’s possible, but if you can, try imagining the musical style of Tenacious D (not their lyrics) and Queens of the Stone Age. What you get is a lovely mix of heavy, ambient, and acoustic tunes all at once; a sort of heavy folk rock. I didn’t think it was possible either, but SICMAN of Virginia have proven me wrong.
  SICMAN of Virginia have three albums out: “A SICMAN’s Guide to Illness…” (2003), “Sweatpants and Other Unnecessary Nonsense” (2011), and “Stale as it Ever Was” (2012). These guys are pretty awesome, so check out “Don’t Call” and see for yourself.

• SICMaN Of Virginia - Stale As It Ever Was (Smelt Records) [+ Show ]
  

  SICMaN Of Virginia is a three man rock band from south eastern Virginia. They've been around in on...
  SICMaN Of Virginia is a three man rock band from south eastern Virginia. They've been around in one variation or another since 2002, though they were pretty much studio-bound for the first seven years of their existence, not breaking cover until 2009 for dates with several high profile indie bands, including The Whigs and Company Of Thieves. "Stale As It Ever Was" is their third album.
  
  Though they're not painting their musical pictures using a huge palette, there are no shortage of ideas to compensate for the lack of string orchestras and horn sections. With what mostly sounds like just guitar, bass, drums and vocals they've managed to produce a distinctive collection, which doesn't quite sound like anyone else. Sure, there are influences at play, a little Sebadoh or Pavement here, some Frank Black there, but nothing that presents one of those unfortunate `Eureka!' moments.
  
  At just over half an hour, "Stale As It Ever Was" doesn't get stale at all. From the short a capella intro to the final track, "Don't Call" where an Everly Brothers acoustic guitar comes into contact with a song that name checks Sid and Nancy, there's always another musical surprise waiting. Inspired writing is ever-present and standout tracks soon become the norm. "Time" is lo-fi progressive, with a multitude of parts and recurring sections. Ambitious and fearless, but concise at less than four minutes. "Driving Miss Crazy" must get a mention for having the best title, but its Be Bop Deluxe inspired chords, and English glammy-style vocal keeps the repeat button busy. "Sushi" begins with a little electronica, something that sounds distinctly analogue, though guitars are soon added to the mix, and the resulting chaos is a genuine highlight - amongst many.

• Original music showcase in Hampton featured prime local hard rock [+ Show ]
  

  SICMaN of Virginia -- also a guitar, bass and drums trio -- brought more improvisation to its show. ...SICMaN of Virginia -- also a guitar, bass and drums trio -- brought more improvisation to its show. The Virginia Beach-based group evolved out of a recording project, but the group's tight, classic rock-influenced jams showed off lots of chops.
  
  Guitarist Matt Holloman played Jimi Hendrix-influenced solos -- he even plucked with his teeth a few times -- but his playing rose above mimickry. SICMaN is an experimental band that bridges 1960s rock with more modern elements. The band's website mentions Frank Black of The Pixies, for example. While Saturday's show displayed more of a fascination with guitar gods such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, rays of post-punk experimentation and Frank Zappa humor shine through in the band's songwriting.
  
  

• Groove Advisory: The Latest in Local Music [+ Show ]
  

  Beirut and Foxy Shazam really have nothing in common sonically. I relate to both in that they’re ver...Beirut and Foxy Shazam really have nothing in common sonically. I relate to both in that they’re very left of center in their songwriting and performing. Neither seem concerned with being pop stars or sexy or taken too seriously.
  
  This made me think about local acts who do the same. Most here are mainstream-sounding in some way. I don’t mean cheesy or untalented, but our scene has a lot of rock and country, and while there are 65,748,676 ways to rework those genres, out-and-out performance rock was not something I thought existed here.
  
  However, I just got my mind changed with the arrival of Sicman of VA’s new album Sweatpants & Other Unnecessary Nonsense. With illustrious and very, very serious song titles like “Sweatpants of Love,” “Gamblin’ for Groceries,” and “Cutter,” one gets the gist before even taking the disk out of the jewel case. It’s not completely ridiculous, though. The sound itself reminds me of the times when Les Claypool gets all weird and tries to bend soundwaves with his fists. I wouldn’t say Sicman is at the level of Claypool, but it’s definitely encouraging to hear something so unconventional produced locally.
  

• VLM’s “Local Artist of the Month” [+ Show ]
  

  It is VLM’s “pleasure” to introduce to you the “Local Artist of the Month” October 2010 “SICMaN...It is VLM’s “pleasure” to introduce to you the “Local Artist of the Month” October 2010
  
  “SICMaN of VA”
  
  _________________________________________________
  
  Virginia Local Music is proud to introduce to you, October 2010's Local Artist of the Month, “SICMaN of VA”. From Virginia Beach, SICMaN of VA first entered Virginia’s local music scene back in 1992. A “genre chameleon” of sorts, these “experimental rockers” have proven themselves as a local band to be reckoned with. . . Playing inside the modest surroundings of the Regal Beagle, to larger venues like the nationally-known NorVa, their music will expand your mind while it sooths your soul. . .
  
  
  Angela’s Top 5 Band Facts:
  
  
  
  
  
  #1 Fact Q: How did the band get their name?
  
  A: Matt Holloman tells VLM that Joe’s brother was a big musical influence. Back when they were younger, he had a guitar case with a Music Man sticker on it. . . (Anyone remember that record store?) Part of the sticker had “ripped” off, with only the “sic Man” part remaining. Well, folks – the rest is history!
  
  #2 Fact Q: Who is the band’s biggest musical influence?
  
  A: Funkadelic - an African American funk band led by legendary musician, George Clinton.
  
  #3 Fact Q: What is the band’s favorite original song to play at venues?
  
  A: “Sweatpants of Love” - which, as Matt Holloman explained, is a fun song, based on a true story regarding someone he saw once in North Carolina.
  
  #4 Fact Q: What local venue is the band’s favorite venue to play?
  
  A: Regal Beagle
  
  #5 Fact Q: What is the band’s most memorable show?
  
  A: the NorVa
  

• Q + A: experimental rockers SICMaN of Virginia [+ Show ]
  

  Base of Operations Norfolk and Virginia Beach Style of Music “We do a lot of genre hopping,” sa...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.
  
  Joe 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.”

Setlist

ORIGINAL songs written and performed by SICMaN:

Originals:
Daylight Savings Time
Falling Behind
All The Time in the Ground
Widejewaitsolong
Sweatpants of Love
Gamblin' For Groceries
Run
Cutter
Time
No Control
Oh No
Miss Crazy
Irene
Mal's Still Around
Sushi
Elijah Wants A Snack
Don’t Call
S.I.S.Y.F.A.I.C.
Big Brown Eye
Decapitated
Charles From The Raven
Spaceship
Madness Of Life
Blank Page
Master of Deception
Reside
Ride On
Dizzo King
Cop Check
Pent Up
9 Lbs
Steal Your Kiss
Things From You
Tanqueray


COVERS that we have played:
Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters
Down In The Hole (Stones)
Waiting Room - Fugazi
Where is My Mind - Pixies
Stupid Girl - Neil Young
The Grobe - Ween
Hey Bull Dog - The Beatles
Maggot Brain - Funkadelic
Cosmic Slop - Funkadelic
Muffin Man - Frank Zappa
Flower Punk - Frank Zappa
Dog Breath - Frank Zappa
Liquid Swords - GZA (Wu-tang Clan)
VooDoo Child - Jimi Hendrix
Third Stone From the Sun - Jimi Hendrix
Rumble - Link Wray
Hammer - Bob Marley

Basic Requirements

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