Rock drummers across America have been fighting to get a shot at being the new drummer for Smashing Pumpkins (original drummer Jimmy Chamberlain left the group last month), and apparently a teenage unknown is one of the few to pass the first round of auditions and have a chance to play with the band for a week.

Mike Byrne of Beaverton, OR, 19, posted the following on his MySpace page: "Mike is jamming with the Smashing Pumpkins for a week in May. Holy crap."

Early reports say it's down to Byrne (who clearly can play, see above) and former System of a Down drummer John Dolmayan. It's pretty hard not to root for the little guy here.