They also had a single called Good Enough, which was the most played song on British radio in 1996.

It was one of a number of sunny, upbeat, singalong tunes that never failed to put a smile on your face.

Staying Out for the Summer was one that was so feelgood it was hijacked for an ad about holiday homes.

The trio were having a ball, until the split that lasted a decade.
Now they're back and playing the launch party of Portsmouth's brilliant new festival.

The Portsmouth & Southsea Music Festival wil take place over the weekend of October 6-12. But you won't have to wait long for the launch party as that's happening on Friday at Tiger, Tiger in Gunwharf Quays.

Says Dodgy's drummer Mathew Priest: 'We're chuffed to be playing Portsmouth. We played here a few times back in the day. We've been at the Pyramids, and, of course, the fantastic Wedgewood Rooms. I think it's by law that every band in the world has to play the Wedgewood Rooms at some stage.

'In fact I'm sure it's actually written down that you have to play the Princess Charlotte in Leicester and the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth.'
Singer Nigel Clarke left Dodgy at the height of their fame, amid rumours of a rift among the three members. But Mathew says that's all behind them now.

'After Nigel left we carried on as Dodgy with a different line-up. The band was great, but it was never the same without Nigel. It had its own merits, but we shouldn't have called it Dodgy. What made it special was the chemistry between the three of us.'

The band say thay've reformed, partly to honour the last request of their former lighting man, Andy Moore, who died of cancer.

Says Mathew: 'He was always pushing us to get back together, and it was at a fund-raiser when he was still alive that Nigel and I got back on stage together. Then we started to talk about the reasons why we split up - but we'd forgotten!'

The band are still singing the upbeat songs, but the hair and the shirts have been replaced with slick styles and sharp suits.

Says Mathew: 'I suppose we've matured - but not too much.'

Dodgy will be at Tiger, Tiger on Friday for the The Portsmouth & Southsea Music Festival launch party.

Keeping the party going into the early hours will be top local DJs from Funkifino Allstars, Screw, Punchfunk, Casbah, Chaos and Wayster.

Tickets are £12 in advance and include entry to the after show party.

Separate tickets for the party are £5 in advance / £7 on the door and are available direct from Tiger Tiger, via stiff Promotions.co.uk or on-line at www.ticketweb.co.uk