Eclectic, clever, artistic original pop-rock. Mixing the Beatles, Kinks and Bowie, a dash of Elvis Costello & Aimee Mann. With a unique style and identity all their own.

17 MP3 Songs
POP: Beatles-pop, ROCK: Modern Rock



Details:
Since the Bandees first independent debut release in 1998, They Fly Around, the Edgewater, Florida group has received national college and commercial airplay in the United States and international airplay as far away as Waterford, Ireland. The Bandees scored three awards at the 2002 Songwriters Showcase of America for "Best Vocal Group", "Best Performance from a Duo", & "Best Writing Team". The Bandees music has been used in numerous commercials including a national PGA spot.

Bandees founder, Stephen Dees has toured and/or recorded in America and Europe as bassist and vocalist with many diverse acts, including Todd Rundgren, Hall & Oates, & Tony Carey (Planet P). But is best known for his work with the modern rock band Novo Combo, co-founded by Dees and original Santana drummer Michael Shrieve. Novo Combo released two critically acclaimed Polygram Albums, the self titled "Novo Combo" and "Animation Generation", which yielded Dees penned hits, "Up Periscope" [Top 30 rock track on the Billboard charts], "Animation Generation" [Top 5 MTV video] and "City Bound" which was a song co-written with acclaimed tunesmith Desmond Child.

In late 1997, Stephen decided it was time to start the band he'd always dreamed of. Driven by his lifelong passion for the Beatles and their ability to play any style of music and make it their own, with superb songwriting and strong harmonies. Dees sought out players that would share this vision. After several false starts and member changes Stephen realized that the best choice for this project was the closest person to him. Patricia Ann Dees' classical background and beautiful voice made her the ideal partner to realize the goal. With Patricia on vocals, flute, oboe, saxophone, harmonica and keyboard and Stephen on vocals, guitars, bass, keyboard, and percussion, this is a duo that displays both versatility and virtuosity with a wide-ranging yet distinctive sound.

The Central Florida press, were unanimous in their praise of the bands first CD. "They Fly Around is nothing short of a true pop masterwork" [JAM Magazine review 04/98]. "They Fly Around, offers the listener a great peak into the music and lyrics of one of Florida's great bands" [the fritz, new college music magazine]. The following year saw the release of their second equally well-received offering, BIG DAY. "A colorful palette of styles blending harmoniously together to produce a CD masterpiece." [Joe Skinner, President of Trackspotting] "BIG DAY, the Bandees eclectic but seamless pop-rock emerges all new millennium fresh original and shiny." [Rick deYampert, Daytona Beach News Journal] The Bandees opened 2002 with the simultaneous release of two CD's, Saffron & three. Saffron showcases the bands acoustic side, featuring Stephen and Patricia's mellifluous vocals, beautiful melodies, heart felt lyrics and soothing soundscapes. "An enchanting journey from beginning to end, Saffron reaches well beyond the mainstream realm of folk and pop-rock with imagination and soul." [Connections Magazine] Bandees three quite simply, ROCKS. "It takes a lot of know-how and a little bit of magic to serve up a couple of dishes this tasty. Three and Saffron find the Bandees continuing to live up to the challenge of making their music an accessible and fun alternative to today's rap/metal monsters of rock." [Melanie Campbell, Backstage Pass Magazine]

The Bandees latest release "Neverland" is also their best CD to date. Everything you would expect and more, including a fresh new version of Dees' pop gem "Up Periscope"! "An eclectic, clever, body of pop-rock...so many cool songs... from new wave to delicate, exquisitely crafted ballads. The Bandees are masters of such pop-rock." **** Excellent [Daytona Beach News-Journal]


Contact: Stephen Leslie Dees Music
sldmusic@mindspring.com www.bandees.com