NORWOOD - When Mike Jones, 24, was at the Oldham School, he never had a drum set, but he used to set up a stack of books to practice his rhythm and pretend he was in a band. Once he got to the junior high he took up playing guitar, learning from friends, such as neighbor Dave Chubet, 25, who had never taken lessons before but had an ear for music. Jones and Chubet "started by playing at barbecues and at school variety shows." While they were in junior high, they imitated the Beatles and received a standing ovation.

But now, 10 years later, the two neighbors along with singer Dave McCall (stage name David Alexander), another childhood friend, and bass guitarist Eric Bickernicks, who works at Adams Russell Cable Television, aren't imitating the Beatles anymore. Instead they are busy writing their own songs, making demo tapes of their originals, lining up gigs at the Channel in Boston and hoping to cut a record.

Although they still play for fun, Chubet said the band seems to be getting more serious about its future. "I go into some clubs, and I realize these guys are horrible. Most bands usually bore me. Many bands have one good song that they play over and over in their other songs. "A good band is able to play a lot of different songs that never bore you," said Chubet.

Fingle Bunt's diversity is what Chubet and the other band members say could make them a success. Because their songs are not the same "thrash-trash," but a selection of blues, soft rock and hard rock, they hope to someday quit their regular full-time jobs and tour the country as a rock band. Unlike most other bands, Fingle Bunt has no leader. This means all members come up with fresh ideas and new tunes.

Bickernicks is described by his fellow band members as the "absurdist" and the most creative. A production technician at Adams Russell, Bickernicks won an ACE Award - the Academy Awards for the cable community - last year for the best comedy. He sometimes mixes that knack for comedy with his songwriting ability. He wrote the lyrics for what the band calls Its most popular tune, "You're All I've Got," after a breakup with a woman:

"You smoke cigars,
You're covered with scars
You're not alot.

You're over 30,
You're very dirty
But you're all I've got."

Chubet, a carpenter, is described by McCall as "the one with the best head on his shoulders." He is also known for writing the most direct songs. "I'm straight forward," Chubet said with a laugh. "I usually have to write a song my body tells me I have to. "

Meanwhile, Jones, who works at Cullinet, a software company in Westwood, and McCall, a shipper at Regal Press, are the most active on the stage. Jones also writes a lot of obscure songs with double meanings.

The band has played at Foley's Bar in Norwood every month or so; they have played at the Rat in Boston and at local parties. They have about $1,800 in a bank account, which they will only touch for new equipment. They practice twice a week at the Adams Russell studio, but they say it is tough working full-time jobs and then practicing when they are tired. "It's hard working full-time, practicing until 1 or 2 a.m. and then getting up at 7," said Chubet. He said the band would like to have someone working full time, setting up gigs for them.

They say performing in front of an audience is what makes them better and what they need more of. "When you play in front of a crowd, you're going 100 percent. When we're in the studio, we tend to lay back a little more because we know it's just practice," Chubet said.

The band is preparing to play Saturday for a Dana Farber benefit concert at the Norwood Elks Lodge. They will also play at the Channel on May 11. In the meantime, they are recording a new demo tape, which they hope publishing companies or radio stations will pick up. "We're having a lot of fun," says McCall. "I would be easier to just wake up every day and play music. But unfortunately, we're not at that stage yet."