The Capulets is going to be big time, and if asked, the members would say they are 100 percent rock ‘n’ roll with more emphasis on the roll. From the moment the band starts playing to its last chord, it has the crowds dancing. It has everything it takes to be a rock ‘n’ roll band — its own sense of style, rockin’ beats and crowds that go crazy for its songs. Plus, when it comes to lyrics, the guys don’t even have them written down.

These average funny boys have two things in common: Their friendship and music. Stu, Josh, Alex and Tom make up the local “progressive” rock band known as The Capulets. The Capulets started playing in August 2004, and currently play around the state at various music venues, including numerous local scenes.

“[The band] was never a hobby,” Josh Pope, singer and guitar player, said.

At first look, Josh, Stu, Tom and Alex seem like average Joes — filling jobs at Blockbuster, Barnes & Noble, a plant nursery center and even a graphic designer at a plumbing company — but to their many fans, they are a lot more than ordinary.

“They are refreshing, and they have a distinct sound,” Natasha Bosch, a sophomore in political science, said.

As far as the band’s music goes, The Capulets’ songs “don’t translate into poetry or writing,” but are usually made up pretty quickly and sometimes on the spot. Pope said the song lyrics are not even written down.

The Capulets’ newest song came from an idea Pope had while working. He flipped through a book of prompts for writers and said he thought it was unusual and wondered what a book of prompts for musicians would look like. Pope sat thinking about what the book might say when he decided to write a song under the prompt: “Imagine that Satan, himself, has written a letter to you to play a rock show, what would it sound like?” Out of that prompt came a song named “Dangels.”

Each member has his own part to play in the band’s identity, bringing together the different personalities that make up The Capulets.

Pope is the “dad” and the “organizer” of the group, according to his fellow band members. He plays the guitar, sings and writes many of The Capulets songs. He draws inspiration from the Beatles, from early to late, and likes to be on top of things.

“He even has bottles for the bathroom in a perfect line,” Stuart McLamb said, speaking of Pope as the “organizer.”

Stuart, or Stu, is the so-called “disorganizer” and is the lead vocalist, guitar player and also writes songs. He is a laid-back guy, doesn’t care too much for movies and is a calisthenics fanatic. During work as graphics designer, McLamb gets up and runs back and forth every half hour, bringing attention from his co-workers in the cubicles next to him. “They must think I’m crazy, getting up and running back and forth,” McLamb said.

Alex Clarke is the bass player, and the group’s “humorist.” He is the positive energy that keeps the group laughing. Clarke always has a smile on his face, and brings a cheerful atmosphere to the band’s events.

“He’s my light of laughter in those dark periods,” Pope said.

The final member of the band is the quiet, but attentive Tom Simpson, a junior in media communications, who is The Capulets’ “pin-up” and drummer. Pope and McLamb joke that Simpson is the looker, who can always be found with his eye on a mirror. They claim Simpson as their “one way ticket to TRL” and fame.

“He has this massive mirror in his room, and you can always find him just looking at himself in it,” Pope said with a smirk on his face.

Together the dad, the disorganizer, the humorist and the pin-up are not just a music group, but a family. Anyone can glance at them laughing and joking with each other while sipping on their coffee or smoking a cigarette, and see they have a very close relationship.

The Capulets, unlike most bands, are not afraid to say they want it all — the fans, the world tours and a little money wouldn’t hurt. They are not afraid of going mainstream.

“One thing about our band that is different is that we all decided to go into trying to make a career out of music,” McLamb said.

Pope has high hopes for his band, and said he and the band plan on moving to a big city like New York City, L.A. or even London. The band is determined to make its mark in the music industry, and to do that, they feel they must be in a city with a bigger music scene. They like Raleigh, but it does not provide the opportunities the band wants to be able to grab hold of.

“You don’t move to Colorado to learn how to surf,” Pope said.

The band’s plans are not definite; the members aren’t quite sure how things will go when they move. They are “not big planners,” instead handling things when the time comes. Until their big date with music destiny, anyone can see them rockin’ out at a local music venue or taking time for a cup of coffee on Hillsborough Street.