Following the sad announcement from long time !daft! drummer Darren that he is leaving the band, we are bitter sweetly able to announce his replacement.

Top local drummer and good friend Phil James, 25, will be taking up the drumming role from Darren from the start of 2012. Phil has known !daft! since he was 15 years old and is incredibly passionate about the band. He knows our set well, has played in bands with Adam (!daft! guitarist) and is an incredibly good drummer too which made him the perfect choice for us. Phil actually depped with us back in May 2011 where he managed to learn our entire set perfectly within 2 rehearsal sessions. Very impressive stuff.

Phil is another hard hitting, tight and enthusiastic drummer. His natural style fits in perfectly with the party nature of !daft!.

Whilst we are sorry to be losing Darren, we are incredibly pleased to have found such a perfect replacement so quickly and easily. The band has many gigs to fulfil each year and standards to uphold, Phil has made it possible for this transition to happen in the shortest possible time and we are all really looking forward to getting him out on a live stage with us soon.

Come along to a gig in early 2012 to meet him and see how he brings something new to the band.

Welcome aboard Phil!

Click here to read about Darren’s departure from !daft!