Music Spotlight: Wrenbury drummer Vikki Brown hitting the heights with Already Gone

Jan 12 2011 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

It’s cool to hang out with the guys. Wrenbury girl Vikki Brown is certainly no gossip girl – you get the feeling she was always destined for a rock band.

Making big strides with Staffordshire outfit Already Gone, the 19-year-old has carved out her own reputation as a formidable drummer on the local circuit.

And the fiery blonde insists she is more than capable of holding her own alongside Luke Maskery (vocals), Dan Nutt (guitar/vocals) and Tim Buxton (bass/vocals).

“I’ve been asked about being a girl among the guys in the band,” she said.

“It’s fine, we have a laugh and I’d rather be with the lads than with a bunch of bitchy girls.”

Well established both around Stoke and now in South Cheshire, Already Gone have helped to keep rock alive in the past couple of years.

Influenced by the likes of Free, Bon Jovi, Deep Purple, Aerosmith, Guns ‘N’ Roses and Queen, the four-piece produce a riff-laden set packed with both covers and their own material.

It was a change in direction for Vikki, who hooked up with the trio 18 months ago.

“I saw they were advertising for a drummer on Myspace and I was interested,” she said.

“I’d been in a country band that played weddings and corporate functions and it was a job for me at the time. But the singer left to have a baby so I was looking for another band and I liked their music.

“I had an audition and I got in.”

Female drummers have a come a long way since Karen Carpenter in the 70s. They’ve become more and more prominent thanks to such names as Sheila E, Samantha Maloney and Meg White.

And don’t bet against Vikki one day joining the latest crop of successful stickswomen.

“It was just one of those things I got into,” she said.

“My mum teaches at Wrenbury Primary and does lessons. I had a kit when I was 14 and just went for it.”

Determined to give it a real go, Already Gone put a lot of work into promotion alongside gigs up and down the country.

Interacting via social networking and making radio appearances across the North West are routine in a punishing schedule.

And they hope it all pays off when they perform in the first round of the Surface Festival next month.

Going all the way leads to an appearance at the 02 Arena alongside four-day UK tours, record deals and more.

Warming up, Already Gone support Barely Civilised at The Box in Pedley Street, Crewe, on Friday. Crewe youngsters Kill The Doctor and Snake Eyes Jonnie are also on board.

Doors open at 7.30pm and admission is £5. For more details, visit www.theboxcrewe.co.uk.