HE is big brother to a big-time pop star but Will Simpson is bidding to make a name for himself with a new rock band.Singer and guitarist Will, 24, whose brother is Busted star Charlie Simpson, is building a big reputation for his up-and-coming band Brigade.

HE is big brother to a big-time pop star but Will Simpson is bidding to make a name for himself with a new rock band.

Singer and guitarist Will, 24, whose brother is Busted star Charlie Simpson, is building a big reputation for his up-and-coming band Brigade.

The three-piece group, who have only been together for nine months, have played a string of storming shows in London and are currently in the studio working on new songs.

"We've created a bit of a buzz," said Will, who is originally from Woodbridge. "Hopefully we can turn that into some industry interest."

The band, which is completed by Japanese duo Naoto Hori on bass and drummer Jumpei Hirano, have supported Charlie's side project rock band Fightstar at a number of sell-out gigs.

But Will, who has been playing music since he was seven, insists the band does not need any favours.

"I don't want to be seen as Charlie from Busted's brother – I've been doing this for a long time now," said the former Framlingham College pupil.

"I've been in a few bands but this is definitely the best. The reaction has been great and we've gained a lot of fans."

Will, who works as a runner for a media company in London, put together Brigade after moving to the capital from Bristol, where he had unsuccessfully tried to start a band.

He got together with Naoto and Jumpei through separate adverts and began writings songs and creating the band's sound, which he describes as alternative rock.

The band is hoping to add a new guitarist to the mix – Will's friend Brick, who hails from Stratford St Andrew, near Framlingham, and is a member of rising band The Ghears, has been playing with them on a temporary basis.

The Simpson siblings could also face some musical competition from their brother Edd, 22, who hopes to pursue his own band, Prego, when he finishes university.

Charlie's Fightstar, Will's Brigade and Edd's Prego have already played on the same bill, at a show in West Kensington in April.

"We totally appreciate each other's music," said Will, whose father, Mike, is a partner of Framlingham-based estate agents Clarke and Simpson.

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