Tonight:
4°c
Busker turns his wheels into a travelling drum kit
Daisy Dumas13 May 2009
Most cyclists try to steer clear of bangs and crashes.
But London busker David Osborne, 38, has adapted his road bike so it transforms into a drum kit with five cymbals, three snare drums and a foot pedal.
He has been invited to play Glastonbury next month after coming up with the idea when he came to London from Adelaide to try to break into the electronica band scene in London.
Mr Osborne was determined not to carry his drums on the Tube and, as a cabinet maker, realised his bike frame could be adapted into a working drum kit which would also transport them. Fashioned from charity shop tin bowls, children's toys and old drums, Puncture Kit has an original sound.
It can be fitted into two panniers and a backpack, and the fixed-wheel bike takes 20 minutes to transform.
Now based in Camden, Mr Osborne makes enough from busking and festivals to pay his rent.
He puts his success down to the vibrant London busking and music scene.
He said: “London is a great place for doing what I do.
“It's so multicultural that people from all over the world get to see me play while being small enough for word to spread — plus, I can get everywhere I need to get on two wheels. My first trip was to Brick Lane, where I busked for an hour on a weekday and made enough money to cover a week's rent. I couldn't believe it.”
Word spread and last month he was flown to play at the Milan Furniture Fair.
At the Brighton Fringe Festival two weeks ago, Mr Osborne played a solo electronica show and was approached by one of Glastonbury Festival's dance stage organisers and invited to perform.
The Glastonbury Festival will be held from 24 to 28 June.
To watch him play go to www.myspace.com/puncturekit
