Peter Brame

Peter Charles Brame (born 25 July 1979 in Chelmsford) is an English singer-songwriter, pop singer and guitarist, based in Colchester, Essex. He became well known through his appearances on television as a contestant on the second series of BBC talent show Fame Academy.

Brame taught himself to play the guitar when he was 17, and performed in local pubs and clubs as a teenager, he also fronted the indie bands Ish whilst still at school and Hannahs Fallen during his University days. His musical influences include The Verve, The Libertines, Oasis and Radiohead.

Fame Academy

In 2003, after obtaining a degree in history, he was working as a management trainee when he successfully auditioned for the second series of the BBC's singing competition Fame Academy. Although showing early promise, he failed to reach the final showdown and finished in fourth place. During the show he received mixed reviews for his performances and his songwriting but became notorious for his wild behaviour, which included getting drunk on evenings out, missing early morning songwriting sessions and dance practices, quarrelling with several classmates including Alex Parks and exchanging passionate kisses with fellow contestant Carolynne Good.

His recording of Massachusetts appears on the Fame Academy Bee Gees Special album, released in August 2003 and his cover of Coldplay's In My Place was included in the best selling Fame Academy - The Finalists album, released in October 2003.

Press notoriety

After the show ended he famously failed to get a recording contract, which left Peter disappointed. His excessive drinking and party lifestyle made him a target of the tabloid newspapers and paparazzi and he was photographed many times looking drunk and dishevelled at parties and clubs. He began a relationship with TV presenter Fearne Cotton

Later, in 2004, following a number of chaotic solo gigs, (one of which ended prematurely when he fell off the stage ), Brame claimed to be determined to sober up and relaunch his stuttering musical career.

Subsequent musical career

Initially singing with The Dolls in 2004, he went on to co-found a rock band called One Finger Zen with one-time Libertines guitarist Nick Gavrilovic. They started touring pubs and clubs in the UK, buying an old fire engine which they used instead of a van. Despite getting a favourable reception from audiences, Brame was declared bankrupt in May 2005 [1] and the band split later that year.

Still unsigned, he recorded a 17 track album of his own songs in 2005 titled An Introduction, having co-written one of the tracks "Smash" with former Gay Dad front-man Cliff Jones. This was made available from his website. He continued to write songs and began performing solo again, showcasing his own material at a number of acoustic gigs.

Early in 2006 he signed to Double Impact Management. His debut single "Wake Up" was released on August 21 on their independent label, Manic Records. This received mixed reviews, being variously described as "like the Black Crowes jamming with a glam rock band", "recalls early Primal Scream and Smashing Pumpkins" and "over-produced to a point where Pete Waterman would probably blanche" however it failed to chart.

He continues to perform live regularly and appeared at several music festivals in the South East of England in summer 2007.

Peter Brame's debut album 'My Secret Suicide' was released on the 13th of October 2008, and is available to download from iTunes. It failed to chart, and Peter took some time off to consider whether he has the talent to sustain a serious music career.

Discography

Albums

Fame Academy Bee-Gees Special (Polydor, 25 August 2003)

Track 5: Massachusetts

Fame Academy - The Finalists (Polydor, 6 October 2003)

Track 13: In My Place

An Introduction (self published, 2005)

1. Chasing
2. Wake Up
3. Smash
4. Friday High
5. Black Heart
6. I Know, You Know
7. Thanks 4 Nothing
8. Wasted Love
9. Ocean Park
10. Breathing Down My Neck
11. Chaos Is Beautiful
12. Step Off
13. You Don't Understand
14. Catch You Around
15. I'll Be Late
16. Coming Down
17. Girl Interrupted
18. Dying For Your Art
19. Cry Silver and Gold Horizon
20. Undone

My Secret Suicide (Manic Records September 2008)

1. Static Believer
2. Alcoholic's Love Song
3. Lost For Good
4. Borrowed Time
5. Long Time Blues
6. Things
7. Steal Away
8. Wasting Time
9. Missed My Chance Again
10. My Secret Suicide

EP

Alcoholic Love Songs (Manic Records 17 April 2007)

1. Alcoholic's Love Song
2. Static Believer
3. Borrowed Time
4. Wasting Away
5. Missed My Chance Again

Singles

(Fame Academy Official Downloads, 2003)

Massachusetts (Beegees cover)

In My Place (Coldplay cover)

Be Mine

"Wake Up" (Manic Records, 21 August 2006)

1. Wake Up
2. Waiting For....

Reviews

• Single review at Get Ready to Rock.com
• Single review at musicOmh.com
• Single review at Caughtinthecrossfire.com

External links

• Peter Brame - official site
• Peter Brame - official Myspace page