Meet ‘The Novack Experience’, a Philadelphia cover band of earnest rockers who, oh yeah, just happen to be doctors and medical students. The energetic lead is Dennis Novack, 63, an internist and an associate dean at Drexel University College of Medicine. All of the bands featured in the clip competed recently in a med school ‘battle of the bands’ concert, covered by The Scientist.

How do they find time to practice?? Here’s what members of one of the other bands, ‘Freaks of Nurture’, said:

Despite the intense pressure of PhD programs and demands of med school, the band members have found support for their music among their academic mentors. After hearing the band play, “the chair said I should spend more time on my music,” laughed [band leader Alec] Schmaier. Being known as the scientist or resident who plays in a band has its benefits, say band members. In the sea of medical school students, having a unique hobby allows you to stand out in the crowd, said singer Ehimare Akhabue. The dual identity can have other benefits, added bass player Rob Fenning. Rather than getting grilled on the difficult questions during med school interviews, questions invariably veer to what it’s like to play in a band, he said.