Axle Whitehead
| Axle Whitehead | |
|---|---|
 Self-shot image of Axle Whitehead at home in 2015. | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Axle Whitehead |
| Born |
16 December 1980 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Genres | Alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer, musician |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Labels | SonyBMG |
Axle Whitehead (born 16 December 1980; Melbourne, Australia) is a former Australian Video Hits TV host and current singer, musician, and actor. In 2008, he released his first studio album Losing Sleep which debuted outside of the ARIA top 50.[1] He also played Liam Murphy in Channel Seven's Home and Away and was the host of The World's Strictest Parents. In 2015, Whitehead began playing the role of Davis, a musician, in the critically acclaimed Showtime series, Shameless.[2]
Career
Music
In 1999 Whitehead was accepted into the Victorian College of the Arts to study Jazz Improvisation. Then toured Australia and China was various bands. He was originally a contestant on the first series of Australian Idol in 2003. He failed to win the competition but made it into the top twenty. After being spotted on Idol, he was hired to host the Television music show, Video Hits on Network Ten, hosting from 2004 to 1 November 2006. He traveled the world interviewing artists such as Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Oasis and Duran Duran. He later was removed from this position after exposing himself at the Australian Recording Industry Awards. He also simulated masturbation on the ARIA trophy while presenting an award to hip-hop outfit, Hilltop Hoods.[3]
Whitehead's debut single "I Don't Do Surprises" was released on radio during January 2008,[4] debuting at #8 on the ARIA Charts in Australia on 17 March 2008.[5] Also reaching No.1 of Australian ITunes charts. It has also received airplay on Nova radio and surfaced on TV advertisements for popular Channel 10 shows House and Women's Murder Club, and Channel 7's Home and Away, being described as a cross between Coldplay and Robbie Williams.[6] His debut album, Losing Sleep was mixed by UK mixer, David Treahearn and released through Roadshow Music on 22 August 2008. Whitehead made his return to Video Hits on 24 February 2008, and to Australian Idol on 5 September 2008, though only as a guest to promote his debut album. The third single off Losing Sleep, Satellite has received significant play on Channel V and Video Hits.
Whitehead has also become the face of upmarket clothing brand 'Marcs'. His image has appeared on buses and print advertisements for the summer/autumn campaign.
Acting
Whitehead's first acting roles were minor parts in the television series The Secret Life of Us, and the 2003 film, Ned Kelly.[7] After taking acting lessons for eighteen months, Whitehead auditioned for a role in Home and Away, which he described as "such a great place to learn and hone your skills". He joined the cast for fifteen episodes as rocker Liam Murphy,[8] and later signed to be a regular cast member. Whitehead based his portrayal of the rocker on experiences of close friends, and said "you have to find a balance between putting yourself into it and not being too cheeky."[9]
Whitehead hosted Seven Network's The World's Strictest Parents.[10]
In 2010, Whitehead was short-listed to host The X Factor Australia, but lost out to fellow Home and Away colleague Luke Jacobz.[11]
It was confirmed that Whitehead was departing Home and Away to do a bike tour and also to expand his acting career, he filmed final scenes in 2013 along with Colleague Luke Mitchell who also departed in 2013.
Axle then moved to LA. After 18 months as an out of work actor, he landed a role in season 5 of the critically acclaimed series Shameless (showtime).[12]
He played an Australian rock singer named Davis, a love interest of Fiona's. As at 12 March 2015, he has appeared in the first 4 episodes of season 5 and a brief appearance in episode 8[13]
In 2014, Whitehead was the runner-up in the Heath Ledger scholarship.[14]
In 2016 he played James Slade / Hellfire, a recurring role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. This role reunited him with Home and Away star Luke Mitchell.
Cleo Bachelor of the Year
On 22 April 2009, Whitehead was announced Cleo Bachelor of the Year, beating competition from sportsmen, actors and other personalities.[15] Sarah Oakes, Cleo Editor-in-chief denied the claims that Whitehead won as a direct result of a self-marketing ploy; "[He] is that perfect combination of good looks, charm, charisma and the kind of guy you'd be really happy to take home and introduce to your mum." [16]
Discography
| Axle Whitehead discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 1 |
| Music videos | 3 |
| EPs | 1 |
| Singles | 3 |
| Guest appearances | 2 |
Whitehead rose to prominence after competing in the third round on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. His debut extended play, The Axle Whitehead Band, was released as a collaboration in 2003 with jazz fusion band, the Axle Whitehead Band (feat. Steve Sedergreen, piano & keys). The release failed to rank on national charts. Whitehead released his debut studio album, Losing Sleep, in 2008 on Roadshow Music. The album peaked at number 68 on the Australian Top 100 Albums Chart.[17] The lead single "I Don't Do Surprises" debuted at number eight on the Australian Top 100 Singles Chart and received gold certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association.[18][19] The album's subsequent singles "Anywhere" and "Satellite" did not make it into the Top 50.[18]
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| AUS[17] | ||
| Losing Sleep |
|
68 |
Extended plays
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| The Axle Whitehead Band |
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions |
Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUS [18][20] | |||||
| 2008 | "I Don't Do Surprises" | 8 |
|
Losing Sleep | |
| "Anywhere" | 77 | ||||
| "Satellite" | — | ||||
| 2011 | "Sister Sunshine" | — | TBA | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | |||||
Music videos
| Year | Song | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | "I Don't Do Surprises" | Grant Marshall |
| "Anywhere" | Bart Borghesi | |
| "Satellite" | ||
| 2011 | "Sister Sunshine" |
Guest appearances
| Year | Song | Other performer | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | "Scatbox"[21] | Joel Turner | Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets |
| 2005 | "Silent Night"[22] | The Axle Whitehead Band (feat. Steve Sedergreen, piano & keys). | The Spirit of Christmas 2005 |
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | We of the Walls | Mr. Lester | Short film |
| 2010 | Storm in a teacup | Edward | Short film |
| 2016 | Run | Aussie bartender | Short film, post production |
| 2016 | Brock | Colin Bond | Television film, filming |
| 2017 | Craftique | Bucky | Pre-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | The Secret Life of Us | Guy at bar | 1 episode |
| 2009–13 | Home and Away | Liam Murphy | 682 episodes |
| 2015 | Shameless | Davis | 5 episodes |
| 2015 | The Doctor Blake Mysteries | Len Webster | 1 episode |
| 2016–present | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | James Slade / Hellfire | 6 episodes |
External links
References
- ↑ "Bunny Axle Resurfaces". Herald Sun. 8 March 2007. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ↑ http://www.sho.com/sho/shameless/home sho.com/sho/shameless/home
- ↑ "Axle Whitehead rapped for exposing himself - TV & Radio - Entertainment". www.smh.com.au. Retrieved 2016-06-23.
- ↑ "Axle Whitehead Returns To Music". Sony BMG. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
- ↑ "ARIA Charts 18th March 2008". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 March 2008. Archived from the original on 15 March 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2008.
- ↑ "Music Reopens Door for Axle Whitehead". The Daily Telegraph. 12 January 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
- ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/whiteheads-latest-revelation/story-e6frewt9-1111118787044
- ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv/axle-comes-home-to-summer-bay/story-e6frf9ho-1111119030185
- ↑ "Axle Whitehead's career still spinning despite private exposure". The Daily Telegraph. 17 April 2009.
- ↑ "Weight-loss dance contest, unruly teens in new TV line-up". The Age. Melbourne. 10 July 2009.
- ↑ Aussie stars compete for 'X Factor' job - X Factor Australia News - Television - Digital Spy
- ↑ http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/axle-whitehead-joins-the-cast-of-the-us-remake-of-british-series-shameless-20150101-12gn3p.html theage.com.au
- ↑ http://www.sho.com/sho/shameless/home
- ↑ http://australiansinfilm.org/latest_news/3049935 australiansinfilm.org/latest_news/3049935
- ↑ AAP (23 April 2009). "Axle Whitehead is Cleo bachelor of the year". The Age. Melbourne. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2009.
- ↑ AAP (22 April 2009). "Axle Whitehead named Cleo Bachelor of The Year". The Australian. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009. Retrieved 28 April 2009.
- 1 2 "ARIA Report" (PDF) (968 ed.). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (published 22 September 2008). 15 September 2008: 6. Retrieved 24 December 2008.
- 1 2 3 "Axle Whitehead discography". Australian charts portal. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
- 1 2 "2008 ARIA singles certification". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 24 September 2008.
- ↑ "ARIA Report" (PDF) (966 ed.). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) (published 8 September 2008). 1 September 2008: 4. Retrieved 25 October 2008.
- ↑ "Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets" (Liner). Joel Turner and the Modern Day Poets. Dream Dealers. 2004.
- ↑ "The Spirit of Christmas 2005" (Liner). various artists. Sony BMG. 2005.