Kane Gang

Career

Vocalists Martin Brammer (born 13 May 1957, Seaham, County Durham) and Paul Woods, plus multi-instrumentalist Dave Brewis formed the trio in 1982, after meeting while in small local bands, and signed to a small record label, which led to a deal with London Records in 1984.

Their debut album, Bad and Lowdown World of the Kane Gang (released in the U.S. as Lowdown), was released the following year. It spawned two UK hit singles. These were "Closest Thing to Heaven" (#12) and a cover of The Staples Singers' "Respect Yourself" (#21). The latter was also a hit in Australia, reaching No. 19. The album was produced by Pete Wingfield, and featured P. P. Arnold and Sam Brown as backing vocalists.

The band's next album, Miracle, was released in 1987 and spawned two U.S. hit singles: "Motortown" (#36 US / #45 UK) and another cover – this time of Dennis Edwards' "Don't Look Any Further" (#64 US / No. 52 UK). The latter hit No. 1 on the US Dance Charts.

Woods left the band in 1991 to attempt a solo career. Woods and Brewis also worked on an album which was never released.

Other works

Kane Gang performed the music for the "Ooh Gary Davies... On Your Radio" jingle for BBC Radio 1. As was the fashion around that time, bands would adapt songs to provide the radio station with a jingle, and embed the hook of the track in the public's consciousness. The Gary Davies jingle was based on their track "Smalltown Creed" (from The Bad and Lowdown World of the Kane Gang LP). The same track was used as the basis for the theme tune of the long running Children's BBC Byker Grove, the television programme that launched the careers of Ant & Dec (as PJ & Duncan) and Donna Air.

Post Kane Gang

Brammer continues to write songs for other artists.

Albums

Singles