A RUBERY rock band is hoping to hit the big time after taking the Birmingham music scene by storm.

Datura have already headlined at Edwards Number Eight Nightclub, near the Birmingham Hippodrome and Scruffy Murphy's, in Dale End, and are now ready for the nation wide Battle of the Bands competition.

The five-piece band got together around two and a half years ago and is fronted by 20-year-old Jim Claybrook, of Gannow Road.

He knew two of the other band members from Waseley Hills High School and they met the others along the way.

"Things have been going really well for us, the gigs so far have been pretty funky," Jim said.

With Matt Troddan on lead guitar, Matt Evans on bass, Jamie Winson on drums and Andy Edmonds on rhythm guitar, the lads are looking forward to further gigs in the second city.

All material is penned by Jim and Matt Troddan and they have so far produced a four track EP titled The Speed Monkey, which is available at gigs.

The band members are now great friends. "We go out together and always have a laugh, you have to really don't you?" Jim added."