Biography
Martin Brammer, born 13 May 1957 in Easington, County Durham, England, worked as vocalist and songwriter alongside multi-instrumentalist Dave Brewis, born 3 June 1957 in Sunderland, England. The pair first connected while attending school in Seaham, a northeastern town also located in County Durham. Adding vocalist Paul Woods, born 28 May 1956 in Seaham, County Durham, England, they nurtured a shared taste for 1960s and 1970s soul, funk and R&B that carried them through various groups until they launched the Kane Gang in late 1982.
Their intended debut single, ‘Brother Brother’, was slated for Candle Records, a venture formed with Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout, yet both acts soon secured deals with the newly established Newcastle imprint Kitchenware. In 1984 the label licensed ‘Brother Brother’ to London Records, which signed the trio and issued ‘Smalltown Creed’ (1984), their critique of the north-south divide, under producer Pete Wingfield. By contrast, the smooth ballad ‘Closest Thing To Heaven’ delivered the Kane Gang’s first UK Top 20 hit. Later that year further momentum arrived via their faithful cover of the Staple Singers’ ‘Respect Yourself’, which included backing vocals from soul veteran P.P. Arnold. Early in 1985 The Bad And Lowdown World Of The Kane Gang charted the band’s development to date and featured guest contributions from musicians such as Sam Brown.
A two-year break ended with the single ‘Motortown’, another Top 40 success that preceded their follow-up album. Miracle displayed a slicker, more sophisticated production and yielded ‘What Time Is It’ before the 1988 cover of Dennis Edwards’ ‘Don’t Look Any Further’, which reached number 1 on the US dance chart. Vocalist Paul Woods exited in 1991 to focus on solo work. Brammer and Brewis attempted to complete another album but ultimately disbanded the Kane Gang. Brammer subsequently built a songwriting career, supplying material for Tina Turner, Beverley Knight, the Lighthouse Family, and James Morrison.
Their intended debut single, ‘Brother Brother’, was slated for Candle Records, a venture formed with Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout, yet both acts soon secured deals with the newly established Newcastle imprint Kitchenware. In 1984 the label licensed ‘Brother Brother’ to London Records, which signed the trio and issued ‘Smalltown Creed’ (1984), their critique of the north-south divide, under producer Pete Wingfield. By contrast, the smooth ballad ‘Closest Thing To Heaven’ delivered the Kane Gang’s first UK Top 20 hit. Later that year further momentum arrived via their faithful cover of the Staple Singers’ ‘Respect Yourself’, which included backing vocals from soul veteran P.P. Arnold. Early in 1985 The Bad And Lowdown World Of The Kane Gang charted the band’s development to date and featured guest contributions from musicians such as Sam Brown.
A two-year break ended with the single ‘Motortown’, another Top 40 success that preceded their follow-up album. Miracle displayed a slicker, more sophisticated production and yielded ‘What Time Is It’ before the 1988 cover of Dennis Edwards’ ‘Don’t Look Any Further’, which reached number 1 on the US dance chart. Vocalist Paul Woods exited in 1991 to focus on solo work. Brammer and Brewis attempted to complete another album but ultimately disbanded the Kane Gang. Brammer subsequently built a songwriting career, supplying material for Tina Turner, Beverley Knight, the Lighthouse Family, and James Morrison.
Albums
Miracle
1987
The Bad and Lowdown World of the Kane Gang Demos & Remixes
1985
The Bad and Lowdown World of the Kane Gang
1985
Live
