Former Stereophonics drummer to play at Birmingham music bar

A former drummer from leading British rock band Stereophonics is to perform at Velvet Music Rooms this Friday as part of the venue 's new 'Bandit Fridays ' gigs.

Sam Yapp toured with Stereophonics in 2012 when their then regular drummer, Javier Weyler, left the Welsh band. He was also drummer for the band - whose hits include 'Have a Nice Day ', 'Handbags and Gladrags ' and 'Graffiti on The Train ' - when they played at London 's Hyde Park to mark the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Sam currently divides his time between two Birmingham-based bands, Casino - which also features current Stereophonics guitarist Adam Zindani - and Under the Covers.

And it is with the three-piece Under the Covers that Sam is playing at Velvet Music Rooms in Broad Street on Friday 19 May, alongside lead vocalist and bass guitarist Sap Chagar and lead guitarist Loz Rabone.

Sap, who goes by the name Chags, said: “We haven 't played at Velvet before so we 're really looking forward to the gig. We were at O 'Neill 's on Broad Street many years ago, but we mainly perform in the outskirts rather than in Birmingham itself. ”

Under The Covers, who formed in 2004, cover music from the likes of Queen, U2, The Who, The Jam, Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Kinks, Thin Lizzy, Oasis, David Bowie and James Brown. Chags said Sam joined the band around 2009, but continues to also drum for rock band Casino.

He added: “Sam and Adam Zindani from Stereophonics were founding members of Casino from around 2007 onwards. Adam joined Stereophonics in 2008 when they said they needed a fourth member.

“So, when their drummer left in 2012, Adam said why don 't we use Sam? He ended up playing with them for much of that year, going on tour and also performing at Hyde Park to coincide with the Olympics opening ceremony. ”

The Hyde Park concert featured all four home nations, with Stereophonics representing Wales, Birmingham favourites Duran Duran for England, Snow Patrol for Northern Ireland and Paolo Nutini for Scotland.

Under the Covers can be seen at Velvet Music Rooms on Friday 19 May from 6.30pm. Click here for more information.

Pictured from left to right: Sam Yapp on the drums, Loz Rabone and Sap Chagar.