MIXING Radiohead and the Doves, branded are nice if unoriginal. But in a land of giants like shameless 'borrowers' Oasis and Fatboy Slim, does it really matter? Matthew Blythe spoke to drummer Hannah Dovey

From the hijinx of Keith Moon to the godlike playing of Reni, great drummers have always tended to be male.

Female stick-smiths are nameless but a 16-year-old Hannah Dovey began hitting skins five years ago anyway.

"In uni I was known as the female drummer", she said. "I still get a shocked response when I tell people - but it's not negative, just shock".

"Mum and dad weren't too keen to begin with and they are not too keen on me practising in the house still".

She learnt her style from The Stone Roses and Charlatans whose northern sound is the bedrock of branded's.

The largely acoustic-based songs echo the likes of early Stone Roses' songs like Sally Cinnamon. Hardly the most original influence in the world, but with a touch of the Doves and Radiohead.

Again, hardly the evolutionary equivalent of ducks swapping feet for springs, but that is not the point of branded.

They play AOR for late twenty-somethings with one foot in Manchester, the other near Badly Drawn Boy, and worry beads counting the months - til the big three-o. branded's four track demo, lovingly packaged in a denim pocket (pictured) begins with a Radiohead like lament, titled Moon which leads nicely into Satellite which jigs like Coldplay trying a bit of Fairport Convention.

Vocalist Tim Wilkin carries the change in sound with his Thom Yorke like drone. Tim was the last member of branded to join, or be recruited, but has definitely made an indelible stamp since. Tim is based in Shrewsbury and is not the only member to hail from non-Welsh parts.

Hannah is the only Wales rooted member. She formed the band with Chris Rivers (guitar) who is based in Trowbridge. Both were reading Music Technology when an assignment crossed their paths and bonded them musically.

They laid down a blueprint for the kind of band they wanted to be in and set about trying to make it.

Hannah's jolly hockey mate Andy Moore (bass) from Birmingham was the first recruit. He slipped into the mould easily and his love of funk gave the sleepy acoustic musings a well needed dose of the jiggers, branded are more down than up and wander a loose path between Pink Floyd like quiet desperation and Radiohead alienation.

Perhaps it is the space between the members that give the band its distant sound. They have been practising in Stafford, although Hannah's dad's warehouse is their normal rehearsal location.

But the four are no existentialist Cure- like loners, but rather relaxed individuals. "We are all laid back", said Hannah with some weariness. "I'm the only organised one in the band - they are all too laid back. But it doesn't stop us doing things.

"I suppose the best bit of the music is that it is mellow and melodic at the same time but I don't think you can really isolate one element. It all plays of other parts." branded's influences are numerous and varied. As well as a mutual love of Roses and Charlatans, the singer likes Gene (whom he sounds like without shame), the bassist likes Oasis and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers (the latter are owed a song-writing debt), and the drummer enjoys a bit of hip hop.

The next stage, says Hannah, is to play more gigs in London and approach more record labels.

Apparently, she added, an A&R man at EMI has had their demo on his desk for some time, but make of that what you will.

branded last played Cardiff in March in the Barfly and went down well. So well in fact the Barfly approached the band to play the gig next week on Wednesday. l branded play Barfly on July 24. Doors open 7.30pm. Tickets are £3. For more information surf to www.lofionic.co.uk/branded