Dane Bowers

Last updated

Dane Bowers
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • DJ
  • producer
Years active1997–present
LabelsConehead UK

Dane Bowers is an English singer, songwriter, producer and DJ. He was a part of R&B boy band Another Level between 1997 and 2000 when he performed on seven Top 10 singles, before taking up solo projects with True Steppers and Victoria Beckham. [1] [2] He has made TV appearances on Celebrity Big Brother 7 [ citation needed ] and the celebrity version of Come Dine with Me . [3] He was part of the supergroup 5th Story, set up for the second series of The Big Reunion .

Contents

Early life and education

Bowers was born to Jackie Bowers and Cuban-Jamaican soul DJ Andy Jackson. [4] He was educated at two independent schools for boys: at Cumnor House School in the town of Croydon in South London, followed by Trinity School of John Whitgift, at Shirley Park in the London Borough of Croydon. When he was fifteen years old, after leaving school, he enrolled at a Croydon-based performing arts college, the BRIT School. [5]

Music career

After leaving the BRIT School, Bowers joined British boy-band Another Level, where he performed as a part of the group for three years, between 1997 and 2000, with fellow members Mark Baron, Wayne Williams, and Bobak Kianoush.

Another Level gained seven top 10 singles in two years in the United Kingdom, including 1998's UK No. 1 "Freak Me"; and a platinum-selling self-titled debut album. Their follow-up album, Nexus , released in 1999, achieved gold-selling status, and was followed by a Brit Award nomination for Best British Newcomer [6] in 1999.

Another Level also performed as the supporting act on the European leg of Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope World Tour in 1998. [7]

After Another Level split in 2000, [8] Bowers wrote and fronted two UK top 10 hits for the UK garage act True Steppers in 2000: "Buggin" and "Out of Your Mind". "Buggin" reached No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in April 2000. The latter featured the first solo recording of Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, and reached No. 2; it was beaten to the number one spot by Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor with "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" in August 2000. [2] [9]

In 2001, two solo singles released under the moniker of 'Dane', "Shut Up... and Forget About It" (allegedly written about his relationship with Katie Price) [10] and "Another Lover", both reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart, [11] and an album, Facing the Crowd remained unreleased.[ citation needed ]

Bowers subsequently went on to focus on behind the scenes work, writing and producing, including a collaboration for Victoria Beckham's debut solo album in autumn that year.[ citation needed ]

In early 2010, Bowers played a DJ set in Mantra, Castlebar Co. Mayo. It was one of his most successful live events.[ citation needed ]

In 2010, Bowers returned to making music and signed with independent record label Conehead UK to record a pop album, with the first single, "All She Needs", written by Jamie Scott, released in July 2010. [12]

On 27 August 2013, Another Level was on the verge of signing up for the ITV2 documentary The Big Reunion , but Williams announced that he would not take part. In an interview with MTV UK, he said: "I decided not to participate in The Big Reunion because it wouldn't feel right to me...I'm in a totally different space in my life and I don't feel any need to look back." [13] Bowers instead joined The Big Reunion supergroup 5th Story, along with Kenzie from Blazin' Squad and former soloists Adam Rickitt, Kavana and Gareth Gates.[ citation needed ]

In 2019, Bowers joined another supergroup alongside Five's Abz Love, Boyzone's Shane Lynch and Phats & Small's Ben Ofoedu called Boyz on Block who released covers of East 17's "Stay Another Day" featuring songwriter and former East 17 member Tony Mortimer; [14] and K-Ci & JoJo's "All My Life" with an album scheduled for a 2021 release. [15]

Television

Bowers began television presenting in 2002, co-hosting Popstars: The Rivals "Extra" show with the former Pop Idol contestant Hayley Evetts. [16]

Bowers appeared in the follow-up TV show to Totally Scott-Lee , called Totally Boyband , in which five boyband members from past groups were modelled into a new singing act called Upper Street. [17] [18] The group featured him alongside Lee Latchford-Evans of Steps, Jimmy Constable of 911, New Kids on the Block's Danny Wood, and S Club's Bradley McIntosh. The series commenced on MTV in the UK in September 2006, but their first single only charted at No. 35 and the group subsequently disbanded. [19]

In 2009, Bowers appeared in an episode of Celebrity Come Dine with Me alongside Bobby Davro, Laila Morse, and Dani Behr, [3] where he served langoustines, beef tenderloin, and bread and butter pudding. Bowers's theme for the evening was 'funky, cool and fashionable'. [20]

In 2010, Bowers made TV appearances on Loose Women on ITV1 and Live from Studio Five . [21]

Celebrity Big Brother 7

On 3 January 2010, Bowers was the seventh contestant to enter Channel 4's seventh and final series of Celebrity Big Brother . He made it to the final on 29 January 2010, but finished as runner-up to Alex Reid.[ citation needed ]

Personal life

Bowers appeared in a sex tape with Katie Price.

Bowers now lives in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He split up with long term girlfriend Laura Anderson, who was runner-up on the fourth series of Love Island on 5 August 2022.

[22] In June 2012, Bowers was accused of racially aggravated assault and harassment in connection with an incident in Norwich on 2 June 2012. [23] In December 2012, Bowers admitted one count of assault and one of threatening behaviour during a drunken fight. He denied making racist remarks. The judge accepted his guilty plea, saying "It seems highly unlikely that you, given your background, would have made racist remarks." Bowers was sentenced to unpaid community work. [24]

In October 2012, Bowers began playing football for the 3rd team of Cwmbran Celtic which plays in the Newport and District League. He made his match debut in a 3–1 home defeat to Marshfield AFC. The chairman of Cwmbran Celtic said he "hopefully will enjoy his stay with us. He's a nice lad." [25]

On 21 April 2013, Bowers was arrested and charged with two counts of assault by beating after a confrontation at Butlins Bognor Regis. The charges were later reduced to "using threatening or abusive behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress", to which Bowers pleaded guilty, and was given a conditional discharge. [26]

In November 2015, Bowers was handed down a 20 week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for assaulting his then-girlfriend in January 2015. [22]

Discography

Singles

As Dane Bowers

SingleYearChart position
UK
"Buggin"
(with True Steppers) [27]
20006
"Out of Your Mind"
(featuring Victoria Beckham) [27]
2
"Shut Up... and Forget About It" [27] 20019
"Another Lover" [27] 9
"All She Needs"2010
"Embrace" (with Finest Touch & Bartosz Brenes)2013

With Upper Street

SingleYearChart position
UK
"The One" [28] 200635

With Boyz on Block

SingleYearAlbumChart position
UK
"Stay Another Day"
featuring Tony Mortimer
2020N/A
"All My Life"2021

Facing the Crowd

Facing the Crowd
Studio album by
Dane Bowers
Released10 December 2021
Recorded2001
Genre R&B, UK garage
Length35:13
Label Arista Records, Northwestside
Producer Jerry 'Wonda' Duplessis • Dallas Austin • The Underdogs • Scott Whitman • Nathan Thomas • Wyclef Jean • Dow & Young • Michael Harwood • Cutfather & Joe • Karl Bartos • Mark Sheehan • Dyme • John Themis
Singles from Facing the Crowd
  1. "Shut Up... and Forget About It"
    Released: 19 February 2001
  2. "Another Lover"
    Released: 25 June 2001

Facing the Crowd is Bowers debut album, released under the moniker of 'Dane'. The album was due for release in 2001, but was cancelled and he was subsequently dropped by his record label. A small number of physical copies pressed for distribution to media and radio stations were made available before the album's release was cancelled. [29] The album spawned two UK Singles Chart top ten singles, "Shut Up... and Forget About It" and "Another Lover".

Facing the Crowd was released on streaming services on 10 December 2021. [30]

Background

After Another Level split in 2000, [8] Bowers wrote and fronted two UK Singles Chart top ten singles for the UK garage act True Steppers in 2000, where he was billed as "Dane Bowers from Another Level". "Buggin" entered the charts at No. 6 in April 2000, and "Out of Your Mind", featuring the first solo recording of Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, which reached No. 2, as it was beaten to the number one spot by "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)" in August 2000 by Spiller featuring Sophie Ellis-Bextor. His subsequent chart success lead to a solo record deal, and in February 2001, Bowers released "Shut Up... and Forget About It", a song allegedly written about his relationship with Katie Price. [10] The song peaked at No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. Jerry 'Wonder' Duplessis and Wyclef Jean-produced "Another Lover" was released as the album's second single in June 2001, but this again stalled at number nine. Bowers was subsequently dropped from his label, and Facing the Crowd remained unreleased. Bowers subsequently went on to focus on behind the scenes work, writing and producing, including a collaboration for Victoria Beckham's debut solo album in autumn that year.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Shut Up... and Forget About It"Dane Bowers • Harvey Mason Jr • Damon ThomasThe Underdogs3:09
2."Bump"Bowers • Hagen Hammond • Michael HarwoodMichael Harwood4:03
3."Another Lover"Bowers • Scott Whitman • Nathan ThomasJerry 'Wonda' Duplessis • Wyclef Jean 4:13
4."She's Gettin' It Somewhere Else"Bowers • Whitman • ThomasWhitman • Thomas3:31
5."She's Lying"Bowers • Joe Belmaati • Mich HansenCutfather & Joe3:54
6."Girl Ain't Mine" (featuring Dallas Austin)Dallas Austin • Terence Daly • Danny O'DonoghueMark Sheehan Dallas Austin • Mark Sheehan 4:00
7."Hey Say, She Say" (featuring Dyme)Bowers • Campbell • Hassan • Gordon • SkinnerDyme3:39
8."We All Know"Bowers • Brian Dow • Bradley YoungDow & Young3:45
9."A Man"Karl Bartos • Yasmine Hamdan • Ralf HuetterKarl Bartos3:36
10."Will I Ever Need to Love Again"Bowers • Whitman • ThomasJohn Themis3:33
11."Feels So Natural"Bowers • Belmaati • HansenCutfather & Joe3:37

Other releases

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Beckham</span> English fashion designer and singer (born 1974)

Victoria Caroline Beckham is an English fashion designer, singer, and television personality. She rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the girl group the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed Posh Spice. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, the group became the best-selling female group of all time. After the Spice Girls split in 2001, Beckham was signed to Virgin Records, in which she released her self-titled debut solo album, which produced two UK Top 10 singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simply Red</span> English soul band

Simply Red are a British soul and pop band formed in Manchester in 1984. The band is led by singer and songwriter Mick Hucknall, who, by the time the band initially disbanded in 2010, was the only original member left. They have released thirteen studio albums, spanning from Picture Book (1985) through Time (2023), all of which have peaked within the top ten on the UK Albums Chart; with the albums A New Flame (1989), Stars (1991), Life (1995) and Blue (1998), along with their Greatest Hits (1996) album, reaching number one. Their 1991 album Stars is one of the best-selling albums in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A1 (group)</span> English-Norwegian pop group

A1 is a British-Norwegian boy group formed in 1998. The original line-up consisted of Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read and Ben Adams. Ingebrigtsen is originally from Oslo, Norway, while the other members originate from London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue (English group)</span> English boy band

Blue are a British boy band consisting of members Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa and Lee Ryan. The group formed in 2000 and released three studio albums before announcing a hiatus in late 2004. In January 2011, the group reformed and represented the United Kingdom at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf with the song "I Can", coming in 11th place with 100 points. In 2013, it was confirmed that the group would be joining The Big Reunion, in which six groups from the past reform for a one-off gig. On 27 March 2013, the group announced they would embark on their first headlining tour later on in the year, their first tour in nearly ten years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaznay Lewis</span> English singer (born 1975)

Tricia Marie "Shaznay" Lewis is an English singer. She is a member of the girl group All Saints. She has co-written most of the group's songs, including number one singles: "Bootie Call", "Pure Shores" and international hit single "Never Ever".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abz Love</span> Musical artist

Richard Abidin Breen, better known as Abz Love, is an English singer, rapper and songwriter. Love was a member of the boy band Five and is current member of supergroup Boyz on Block.

True Steppers were a British UK garage production duo, consisting of Jonny Lisners and Andy Lysandrou.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradley McIntosh</span> British singer, rapper and actor

Bradley John McIntosh, also known as City Boy, is a British singer, rapper, songwriter, actor and record producer. He was a member of the group S Club where he enjoyed five years of hit singles, arena tours and awards. Since 2008, he has been a member of spin-off group S Club Allstars and has a solo career as rapper.

<i>Victoria Beckham</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is the only studio album by English singer Victoria Beckham. It was released on 1 October 2001 by Virgin Records. Beckham was the last member of the Spice Girls to release a solo album. The album's lead single, "Not Such an Innocent Girl" was released on 17 September 2001. The second single, "A Mind of Its Own" was released on 11 February 2002. "I Wish" was set to be the album's third single as it was being promoted, but following the announcement of Beckham's second pregnancy, the single was shelved and never materialised.

Another Level were an English soul and R&B-influenced boy band that formed in 1997 and broke up in 2000, consisting of Mark Baron, Dane Bowers, Bobak Kianoush and Wayne Williams. They achieved seven top ten singles, including the 1998 number-one "Freak Me".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of Your Mind</span> 2000 single by True Steppers and Dane Bowers

"Out of Your Mind" is a song by UK garage duo True Steppers. It features Dane Bowers and Victoria Beckham, in her first appearance as a solo artist away from Spice Girls. The single was released on 14 August 2000 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, beaten to the top by Spiller's "Groovejet " in a highly publicised chart battle.

Upper Street were a UK boy band formed in 2006 from the MTV-produced reality television series Totally Boyband. The members of the band were all ex-members of other groups. They were Dane Bowers of Another Level, Jimmy Constable of 911, Bradley McIntosh of S Club 7, and Danny Wood of New Kids on the Block. Lee Latchford-Evans of Steps was also originally in the line-up, but left due to conflict within the group. Their only single, "The One" was released in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2006 by Concept Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let Your Head Go</span> 2003 single by Victoria Beckham

"Let Your Head Go" is a song by British singer Victoria Beckham, recorded for her unreleased second studio album. It was written and produced by Klas Baggstrom, Liz Winstanley and Roger Olsson, with Mike Gray and Jon Pearn also serving as producers. The song was released on 29 December 2003 in the United Kingdom by Telstar Records, as a double A-side with "This Groove". In 2004, the former was included on the video album The 'Réal' Beckhams, after Beckham's record company went bankrupt before it surfaced. The song is Beckham's last single released to date. It is a dance-pop song which drew comparisons to Kylie Minogue's work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Groove</span> 2003 single by Victoria Beckham

"This Groove" is a song by British singer Victoria Beckham, recorded for her unreleased second studio album. It was written by Alisha Brooks, David Conley, David Frank, Everett "Jam" Benton and Mic Murphy, with Damon Dash, Conley and Frank serving as producers. Telstar Records released the song on 29 December 2003 in the United Kingdom as a double A-side with "Let Your Head Go". In 2004, it was included on the video album The 'Réal' Beckhams, after her record company went bankrupt before it surfaced. The song is Beckham's last single released to date. "This Groove" is an R&B and hip hop song which samples The System's "Don't Disturb This Groove"; lyrically it deals with phone sex.

Graham Barry Stokes, 9 February 1958, Birmingham, West Midlands, England) is a British music executive and musician. He grew up in Leigh Park, Hampshire, attending Wakeford Comprehensive. He spent his early life playing in various bands as a guitarist, before landing a job at Arista Records as a post boy in 1979.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Beckham discography</span>

The discography of Victoria Beckham, an English pop music singer, consists of one studio album, two cancelled albums, five singles, five music videos and one DVD. On 14 August 2000, Beckham released her first solo single, "Out of Your Mind" in collaboration with Dane Bowers and Truesteppers, which debuted at number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. Before the single's release, on 8 July 2000, Beckham made her public solo debut at London's Hyde Park at a concert to raise money for the Prince's Trust charity. She sang "Out of Your Mind" to a 100,000-strong audience. Beckham then signed a recording contract with the Spice Girls' label Virgin Records. Her next single as a solo artist, "Not Such an Innocent Girl", was released on 17 September 2001. Again, she faced competition in another hugely hyped chart battle, this time with Kylie Minogue's single "Can't Get You Out of My Head". Despite a huge promotional campaign, Beckham was outsold eight to one, and her single debuted at number 6. Beckham's eponymous debut album, which was released on 1 October 2001, reached number 10 in the UK Albums Chart. The album cost a reputed £5 million to produce, and it sold a modest 100,000 copies. The second and final single to be released from the album was "A Mind of Its Own" on 11 February 2002. The single reached number 6 in the UK and sold 56,500 copies. A third single, "I Wish", was promoted but never materialised.

"Buggin" is a song by UK garage duo True Steppers featuring singer Dane Bowers of Another Level. It was released as a single on 17 April 2000 and was a top-10 hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 2 on the UK Dance Singles Chart.

5th Story were an English supergroup consisting of 1990s-early 2000s pop stars Dane Bowers, Gareth Gates, Kavana, Kenzie and Adam Rickitt. They were formed in 2013 exclusively for the second series of the ITV2 reality-documentary series The Big Reunion.

Boyz on Block are an English–Irish supergroup formed in 2019, consisting of Abz Love from Five, Ben Ofoedu from Phats & Small, Dane Bowers from Another Level and Shane Lynch from Boyzone.

References

  1. "Another Level – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Dane Bowers – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. 1 2 Celebrity Come Dine with Me Channel4, Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
  4. "The colour of money". The Guardian. 15 May 1999. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  5. The Brit School. need2know.co.uk
  6. Entertainment. Robbie Williams tops Brit nominations Archived 18 February 2003 at the Wayback Machine . BBC News (12 January 1999). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  7. Artist Direct, Another Level Archived 27 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine . Artistdirect.com. Retrieved on 11 April 2012.
  8. 1 2 Another Level split Archived 18 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine . BBC News (27 June 2000). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100 – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  10. 1 2 Dane Bowers : Shut Up (And Forget About It) Archived 21 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine . Nme.com (9 February 2001). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  11. "Dane – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  12. Jordan&Alex want me to DJ at their wedding Archived 28 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Closer Magazine. Closeronline.co.uk (8 June 2010). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  13. "Another Level's Wayne Turns Down 'The Big Reunion'". MTV UK. 4 September 2013. Archived from the original on 13 September 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
  14. "Boyband supergroup Boyz On Block unveil their first single, a cover of East 17's Stay Another Day". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  15. "Boyband supergroup Boyz On Block announce debut single and album". Belfasttelegraph. Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  16. Pop Idol Hayley to be a host on Popstars 2 Archived 23 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine . BBC News (5 September 2002). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  17. Totally Boyband (2006– ) Archived 2 April 2017 at the Wayback Machine . IMBb.com
  18. Totally Boyband! And the Members Are... Archived 6 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Mtv.co.uk (1 August 2006). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  19. Dave Parrack Boyband Upper Street Split? Pop Buzz UK (13 November 2006)
  20. Dane Bowers' menu. Channel4.com (16 September 2009). Retrieved on 2012-04-11.
  21. Dane Bowers Archived 14 December 2018 at the Wayback Machine . IMDb.com
  22. 1 2 "Singer Dane Bowers sentenced for assaulting girlfriend". BBC News. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  23. "Dane Bowers assault trial delayed". Bbc.co.uk. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  24. "Ex-boy band star assault sentence". Bbc.co.uk. 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  25. "Dane Bowers lines up for Cwmbran Celtic FC". South Wales Argus . 2 October 2012. Archived from the original on 6 October 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2012.
  26. "Singer admits threatening door staff". Bbc.co.uk. 11 February 2014. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 139. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  28. "Upper Street – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 14 February 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  29. "Images for Dane* - Facing The Crowd". Discogs.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  30. "Dane Bowers - Facing The Crowd". Spotify.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.