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When Steve Groome started learning to play guitar after retiring, he never expected to end up in a band.
“At 66, I’m not going to get a phone call from Mark Knopfler or Eric Clapton. I might not even end up in an average stupid cover band,” he said. “But I don’t need that, we’re having fun. I just let it rip.
Groom now plays his 12-string electric guitar for Brum Rocks, a project bringing together hundreds of amateur musicians from around the world Birmingham for a spectacular summer rock concert.
Having recently been diagnosed with cancer, Groom, a former Longbridge police officer, found playing music as part of a big band a welcome distraction.
“It was truly life-changing. It really built my confidence. It’s a great outlet and it’s so good for mental health,” he said. “I wish I had done this 40 years ago. I wish I had done this as a teenager, but you can’t look back on life with regrets.’
Last Thursday night, dozens of musicians playing instruments ranging from drums and guitar to ukulele and harp gathered to rehearse the song that will be the centerpiece of the July concert.
Written by Birmingham poet laureate Jasmine Gardossi, Brummie Steel is intended to be a new anthem for the city that references its industrial heritage and its status as the birthplace of heavy metal music.
“At a time when, as Brummies, we are faced with a lot of demoralizing news, to be able to do something for morale – to give people hope, to remind people of their courage – I feel very honoured,” said Gardossi.
“So much of Birmingham’s music comes from adversity, so much comes from the forces that oppress Brummies, especially people from migrant communities or those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. It came from pressure and I thought, what better image to describe that than steel?
“We are a city of people from all over the world, and the better for it, in the same way that steel as an alloy is stronger than pure iron because different parts are mixed in it. That’s who we are.”
The Brum Rocks Project was born out of community music groups or ‘Rock Collectives’ set up by the charity Misfits Music in parts of Birmingham.
“We’ve found that they’re so accessible to people who might not call themselves musicians or singers, but would sing in the shower or keep a guitar in their cupboard,” said Rosie Penny, development manager at Misfits Music. “We found that it really improved people’s wellbeing and confidence, so we decided to scale it up and take it across the city.”
Marilyn Introini, 43, said taking part as a guitarist was a great way to meet an eclectic group of people: “It’s great because you’re going to be playing, you have to be in the moment, you’re doing things, but then you look around and see so many people , who are smiling and having fun around you.
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“Music is meant to be shared and this really shows that.”
The project is open to anyone over 18, regardless of musical background, and the charity works with specific community groups, such as those helping the visually impaired, asylum seekers or the LGBTQ+ community, to expand its reach.
It came at a particularly crucial time for the city, where people are still reeling from the bankruptcy of the city council – which will mean 100% cuts to arts funding – while fighting to save a number of the city’s heritage assets at risk of redevelopment.
Jez Collins, the director of the Birmingham Music Archive, recently won a 12-year battle to get the at risk Crown pub, where Black Sabbath played their first gig, status indicated.
This is seen as part of a growing recognition of the importance of Birmingham’s musical heritage. In the rock world, bands such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and the Electric Light Orchestra were founded there, while the city also made a huge contribution to bhangra and reggae.
“In the last few years, we’ve started to see a little bit of a change. This isn’t just about being nice, fuzzy and nostalgic – there are real economic, social, cultural and political benefits to understanding our musical heritage. Our friends in Manchester, they’re doing it brilliantly,” Collins said.
“I think Brum Rocks is part of that process of saying: this city has an amazing music culture, we need to do more, we need to invest in it and we need to grow it.”
Brum Rocks live! will was held on Sunday 14 July 2024 at Forum Birmingham
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