I'm not an expert on the music industry but have alot of friends on the bottom rungs of the ladder on the London music scene, (i.e fairly well received reviews in the lower echelons of the music press, radio play on XFM, but not peak hour playlist etc...).
My sister's boyfriend is a successful musician also who has played and is currently playing for a host of specialist and mainstream artists as a session musician. He does production work too and has evolved from starting out as a drummer for rock bands in Church Halls and pubs like the Bull & Gate (Kentish Town pub that breaks new acts nightly) to be having so much work he has to turn down more offers than he accepts. He'd certainly be more qualified to steer you in the right direction than me but the one bit of advice I can give that he said was invaluable to him was just to play, take work and do gigs no matter where or for who, because when people see you playing and see what you're capable of, in London it won't be long before you work your way up, you build a reputation and there's loads of work once you are at a certain level and providing you're willing to play the backstreet bars, Water Rats and Camden Barfly's on a Tuesday night then I'm sure your hard work will pay off.
All over London there are new bands tying to break it but not all of them are 100% commited to making it. It won't be hard to find bands looking for musicians or venues breaking new bands but the rest is up to you. Buy the NME, check the circuit, check the jobs and check the listings, it will give you a good grasp of the London and national music scene and there are plenty of other London based zines you can find when you get here. You can buy the NME in the US, I'm sure, have a look and see if you can line up something before you get here. If not, keep trying when you get here, the oppuortunities should come eventually.
There was a band who went the same school as I did who were looking like being on the verge of success but they deteriorated into an unreliable rabble of alcohol and drug sozzled neer do wells whose party hard credentials came before them. I know it's supposed to be a rock and roll lifestyle but be careful not to get drawn into some of the heavy drinking and drug culture that permeates the London music scene. A reputation for professionalism and reliability will serve you well in the long run and make employers taking a chance on you more of a reason to give you a chance.
Alot of US musicians come to London to make it and the success stories are everywhere. I remember seeing Kings Of Leon at the Metro Club Tottenham Court Rd and in the Kentish Town Forum. Even bands like the National have had huge followings in the UK and there are countless other US bands who've broken the UK music scene first and gone on to break the States as a result. The Gaslight Anthem are another band who're very big in the UK at the moment and though I've always loved the L.A music scene, with great history in music going all the back from Guns N Roses to the Gun Club and X, I'd say London would be a better option right now. The music business is huge and there's such a diverse range of scenes, outlets, venues and oppuotunities in such a concentrated area that I think you would have a great chance to prove yourself if you're willing to apply yourself and work hard. It doesn't matter what music you specialise in either,you will find it in the London music scene in what is a very diverse, competetive but very rewarding business for those not only with the talent but the application to succeed. Unless you're a genius like Kevin Shields that is, all talent, hardly any willpower, will only work betwen 12 and 4 am etc... If that's the case, you'll still be able to carve out a living whilst resurfacing once every 10 years for the odd album, production or film score. Either way, good luck.
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