Highlight Reel
2006 Founder Award – Independent Rock Drummer of the Year – 16th Annual LA Music Awards
Reflective of the Malibu coastline for which they are named, Big Dume deliver a musical blend of power, beauty and danger while seductively evoking extraordinary emotion. Formed in early 2004 by singer/songwriter Brandon Jenner and a close knit group of musicians emerging from the growing Malibu music scene at venues including the Malibu Inn and the Dume Room, Big Dume are set to release their debut full-length CD titled, Inside My Head, on July 26, 2005.
Opening with the dark and introspective title track, Inside My Head moves through an incredible fusion of styles, thought-provoking lyrics and emotive arrangements before closing with a stripped down acoustic confessional in “I Lost You.” Loaded with textured melodies and biting honesty, the album ventures deeply into the complex balance between love and loss; narcissism and humility; sensitivity and cynicism; confusion and clarity; while within it all, an addictive curiosity leads the listener from one track to the next with heightened interest.
A commanding presence on stage, Brandon Jenner, at age 24, is in every way a natural born star. With a pedigree and environment overflowing with talent and charisma, Brandon is the first-born of gold-medal Olympian Bruce Jenner and pop-culture beauty and award winning lyricist, Linda Thompson. Thompson later married 14-time GRAMMY Award winning producer David Foster, who has been a close part of Brandon’s life and growth for 20 years.
Brandon found his life-long interest in music grow into a full-blown passion while attending University of Colorado at Boulder. While studying astronomy and philosophy, he found the comfort of a second-hand acoustic guitar to be the answer to his own deepest questions of life. Inspired by the writing and performing of such artists as Ben Harper, Jeff Buckley, John Lee Hooker and bands including Ween, Cake and Radiohead among others, Jenner went on to develop his talent and unique style with equal eloquence of voice and string.
Big Dume’s lineup includes a unique set of talented players and characters that help create the magic both on stage and in the studio. Drummer Chris Steele holds a master’s degree in jazz studies and anchors the rhythms while bringing innovative percussion technique to an original rock sound. Bassist Joe Ayoub is an experienced touring artist, writer and producer who has also worked with Liz Phair, Marvin Sapp and Tyler Hilton, among others. Additional vocals and piano are delivered by the beautiful young talent, Leah Felder, who like Jenner is a life-long native of Malibu. Daughter of the legendary original Eagles lead guitarist Don Felder, Leah has formally trained and studied voice and classical dance for most of her life. Her soulful sound and energy have become another highlight of Big Dume’s dynamic live performances. Leah and Brandon had also previously teamed up to form another band called Night Vision in 2003.
In addition to his own songwriting and recording, Brandon has done session work on guitar with notable artists including Josh Groban, Michael Buble and pianist William Joseph. He also earned his national touring stripes as the bassist in the punk band 2 Cents during the 2003 Warped Tour.
With a keen sense of self and creative drive, Brandon and his younger brother Brody recently collaborated in creating and producing an unscripted television series that has since been sold to Fox Television. The Princes of Malibu is currently scheduled to debut in prime time on Sunday, July 10 on Fox Television Network. In addition, the brothers were both recently tapped to be the newest Guess? Jeans models in the company’s upcoming outdoor advertising campaign.
Big Dume’s full length debut CD Inside My Head will be released on Brandon’s own Chartless Records label and distributed nationally by ADA. The album was produced by Brandon Jenner. The debut single, “Mexico,” is scheduled to hit the AAA and alternative airwaves on June 14, 2005. Big Dume will also be hitting the road for a nationwide tour later this year. Streaming tracks, performance dates and other updated information are available at www.bigdume.com. Big Dume All Music Guide BiographyLed by vocalist and guitarist Brandon Jenner (Bruce Jenner’s son), Malibu’s Maroon 5-ish, lightly funky Big Dume also features vocalist and piano player Leah Felder (daughter of Eagles guitarist Don Felder), bassist Joe Ayoub, and drummer Chris Steele. The July 2005 release of the band’s debut album, Inside My Head, coincided with the Fox network premiere of Princes of Malibu, an unscripted reality series following Jenner and his brother’s sometimes contentious relationship with stepfather (and multiple Grammy-winning producer, writer, and arranger) David Foster. ~ Johnny Loftus, Rovi
Read more at http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/bio/big-dume/3324404#jCCeggswuUrAF3fr.99