Young Drummer Plays for Five Hours in Birmingham

Teenage drumming sensation Jake Brown warmed up for his band’s debut single – by going solo outside the Bullring shopping centre.

Jake pitched his drums close to the Bull – and had shoppers stampeding for almost five hours.

The Staffordshire star has only been playing for seven years since he was ten.

But he’s been taught by the best – Carl Brazil (Robbie Williams), Ian Palmer (nephew of ELP’s Carl Palmer), Steve White (Paul Weller) and Steve Smith (Journey).

Jake, a BTEC Level 3 music student at the Birmingham Ormiston Academy, said his heroes included Keith Moon (The Who) and Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham. – who both died aged 32.

“I do like a party,” said Jake.

“But I’ve got my head screwed on and still play in church!

“I’m a massive fan of The Who, and it’s one of the best compliments I get when people say I groove like John Bonham.

“Every drummer aspires to playing shows at the Wembleys and O2s, but I just love playing to people and practise up to four hours a day.

“I started hanging around the really big dogs of the industry when I was about 12 and I’ve had lessons from lots of them.

“I also went to the Royal College of music for three years every Saturday to learn the classical way, too.

“So I can do rock, pop, classical, jazz and Latin percussion… I’ll give anything a crack.”

Jake’s band, Paradise Circus, features bass-playing cousin Dan Woodhead, 18, and Solihull singer James O’Gorman, 21.

Their debut single ‘Drunk’ is out on iTunes on March 17.

Jake is hoping to replicate his shopping centre stunt in Liverpool this weekend – and be back in Birmingham on March 29, weather permitting.