JAMES BREEN
James keeps us all together as Roger Taylor (both on stage as well as behind the scenes). As well as bringing the thunder from the throne with his world-class musicianship, James has also been the driving force for the band - pushing forward to achieve the best possible quality for the show. His powerhouse performance is the backbone of the bands sound and his attention to detail ensures the band is constantly evolving. James is passionate about setting the highest standards to ensure audiences keep coming back for more. You won't find a harder working drummer on the Queen circuit!
JAMES' STORY
James is a huge lover of music and all things music, from mainstream to soundtracks (both video games and feature film). He takes inspiration from all aspects of the medium and it is extremely personal to him. Joining a Queen band wasn't ever an intention of James' it wasn't even on the radar of possible band prospects with James primarily coming from a heavy metal performance background but he cherishes the fact he gets to be join 4 other stellar musicians in order to bring this phenomenal music library to audiences around the world to fans both young and old.
When James was young (around 10 years of age) he heard and witnessed the Bohemian Rhapsody video for the first time, this was his first interaction with Queen and being the immature individual at that time proceeded to laugh at his cousin imitating Freddie & the gang during the operatic section and this hilarious encounter stuck with him.
Fast forward to James getting into to college and starting his musical journey as a performer and getting to meet new musicians and being show more music, which got him onto Queen's back catalogue and really where the respect of this unbelievable band started. Even to this day James will tell you himself that Freddie Mercury is and will always be the greatest singer that ever lived, upon further research knowing how Freddie Mercury conducted himself and was never trained as a vocalist is the most impressive part of this juggernaut of an individual.
Getting to be a part of Supersonic Queen has been a privilege that James doesn't take for granted whatsoever, and his love and drive for the band is never faltering as we as a collective continue to entertain to bigger audiences across the globe.
JAMES' GEAR
Tama superstar hyper-drive maple sugar white 6 piece shell drum kit
18″x22″ Bass Drum (Aquarian super kick 3)
Tom Toms – 6.5″x10″ / 7″x12″ / 8″x13″
Floor Toms – 12″x14″ / 14″x16″
(All Tom Tom Skins Remo Emperor and Ambassador )
Ludwig black beauty snare 14 x 6.5
(Remo Emperor X used on snare)
DW 5000 double chain pedal
All stands & hardware by Tama
Sabian AAX X-plosion Hi-hats 1 x 14″
Sabian AAX X-plosion crash 1x 17″ + 1x 18″
Sabian AA bright crash 1x 16″
Sabian AAX heavy bell ride 1x 22″
Sabian AAX o-zone splash 1x 10″
Sabian AAX Brilliant splash 1x 12″
Sabian AAX Brilliant Chinese 1 x 18″
Meinl percussion block
Meinl CH-TT38 Sonic energy Chau Tam Tam 38″ Gong
Sticks - Promark shira Kashi Oak 7A nylon tip.
Audix mic setup – i5 / 3x D2 / 2X D4 / D6 / 2x ADX51
Shure 535 IEM + PSM200 transmitter
AKG D5 stage vocal mic