Rosey Dees: "We were never going to be The Doors"

The Rosey Dees aren't that sort of band. The five-piece - who hail from around Greenwich - admit that they "do nothing but laugh during rehearsals". And debut album Flags of the Hat bubbles with harmonies, everyman stories and light drive-time guitars.

Vocalist Mark Dempsey said: "This was always about writing pop tunes.

"We were never going to be The Doors. It's about getting together, writing something people will like and having fun."

The seed of the Dees was first planted by Mark and Matthew Mulot, jamming in a student flat three and a half years ago. The pair would leave instruments in the flat which visitors would pick up and join in. After success at open mic nights, they added Andy Brown on trumpet, Ryan Coath on bass, and Australian drummer Joel Kent, who works by day at Canary Wharf's Thomson Reuters HQ.

The band has scooped armfuls of fans on the South London scene, and has played gigs in Hyde Park and even the National Portrait Gallery.

Mark said: "We were playing a gig in New Cross, and a man from an events company was having a Sunday roast there. He loved our music and asked us to play at Hyde Park for last year's London Half Marathon.

"We also played at the National Portrait Gallery at a party for the brother of Jack Ryder, who used to be on EastEnders."

Wharf worker Joel has gigging experience in two continents, having played with Cheese Excursion down under.

He said: "I've been playing in bands since I was eight and my dad was a drummer. My parents always wanted me to be a musician, but drumming came more naturally.

"I think it's a lot more competitive here, and getting paid and noticed is much more difficult."

The band entered Underdog Studios last September to record their debut album, which contained the sprightly boozing ditties Wasted and Whiskey, the more mournful Blood and We Buy Gold.

Joel said: "I don't really think there's anything that binds it all together. We picked them as a demo to represent who we are, and to show different sides of us.

"You need bigger songs for bigger stages, and comedy songs don't necessarily always work. To hold people's attention for 45 minutes or more, you can't just make them giggle."

They will launch the CD at the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town on Saturday (March 28), and return to the venue on April 17.

Mark said: "What was once a hobby is now starting to take up more of our lives than we expected.

"I was first in a band when I was 18, and it was all about trying to be cool and sexy and attract women. I just bought a distortion pedal and screamed down the mic.

"Now it's more about wanting to do something well and write good songs."

Go to roseydees.co.uk