The Kane Gang
Martin Brammer (b. 13 May 1957, Easington, Co. Durham, England; songwriter/vocalist) and Dave Brewis (b. 3 June 1957, Sunderland, Tyne And Wear, England; songwriter/multi-instrumentalist) met at school in the northeast town of Seaham, Co. Durham, England. Teaming up with Paul Woods (b. 28 May 1956, Seaham, Co. Durham, England; vocals), the trio developed a liking for '60s/70s soul, funk and R&B which led them through several bands before forming the Kane Gang in late 1982. Brother Brother was planned as their first single on Candle Records, a joint venture with friend Paddy McAloon of Prefab Sprout, but both bands were soon signed to new Newcastle label, Kitchenware. In 1984, the company licensed Brother Brother to London Records, which signed the group, releasing their attack at the north-south divide, Smalltown Creed (1984), produced by Pete Wingfield. In contrast, Closest Thing To Heaven was a smooth ballad, and secured the Kane Gang a Top 20 chart hit. Further success followed that same year with a faithful cover of the Staple Singers' Respect Yourself, a song which featured soul veteran P.P. Arnold on backing vocals. THE BAD AND LOWDOWN WORLD OF THE KANE GANG in early 1985 effectively summarized the band's progress (and featured guest musicians included Sam Brown), alongside a single Gun Law, before a two-year pause. Motortown (1987) brought another Top 40 hit, preceding a second album. Sporting a slicker, more sophisticated production, MIRACLE also spawned What Time Is It, and then a cover of Dennis Edwards' Don't Look Any Further (1988), the latter reaching number 1 in the US dance chart. In 1991, vocalist Paul Woods departed to concentrate on a solo career.