The Humans (UK band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other bands, see The Humans (disambiguation).
The Humans
GenresIndie rock
Electro
Experimental music
Years active2007–2020
Associated actsToyah Willcox
Toyah
Robert Fripp
R.E.M.
MembersToyah Willcox
Bill Rieflin
Chris Wong

The Humans are a rock band featuring singer Toyah Willcox, former REM drummer Bill Rieflin and musician Chris Wong. The band have released three studio albums, We Are The Humans, Sugar Rush and Strange Tales, and have performed live in the UK, Estonia and the USA.

The Humans were formed in 2007 when musician Robert Fripp, who is married to Toyah Willcox, was invited to play a short tour in Estonia. Fripp decided to decline the invitation because he was retired. Willcox then contacted the Estonian Embassy, who had issued the invitation, and offered to put an act together for the tour. On acceptance by the Embassy, Willcox then contacted friend and former R.E.M musician, Bill Rieflin and suggested a collaboration and to "...do something that is just completely off the wall [with] just one bass and a voice". Rieflin and Willcox hired musician and musical director Chris Wong, who had previously worked with Willcox on her solo music tours and concerts, and The Humans three-piece outfit was complete.[1]

The band released their debut album We are the Humans on 1 May 2009. The release was celebrated with a concert at the Tartu Music Festival, where the band was joined by Fripp on guitar.[2]

The Humans released their second album Sugar Rush on 27 September 2011. The music is augmented in the studio with other instruments, notably the guitar of guest (and longtime Willcox associate) Robert Fripp of King Crimson, who appears on every track of Sugar Rush.[3] Igor Abuladze joined The Humans on their US and UK tour in 2011 in support of the album.[4]

A third, digital-only, album entitled Strange Tales was released worldwide in March 2014. A UK tour, Telling Strange Tales, was scheduled for April 2015.[5]

Bill Rieflin died on March 24, 2020 from cancer at the age of 59.

In 2020 a box compilation was released called Noise In Your Head containing all three previous albums, a live album, as well as a DVD with a live concert. The box set is credited as Toyah & The Humans. The compilation is dedicated to Bill Rieflin.

Discography[]

Albums

Singles & EPs

Promotional music videos

  • We Are the Humans (2008)[13]
  • These Boots Are Made for Walkin' (2009)[14]
  • Quicksilver (2009)[15]
  • Sea of Size (2010)[16]

Touring[]

  • Estonian Live Dates (Estonia, October 2007)[17]
  • We Are The Humans Album Launch (Tartufest, May 2009)[18]
  • We Are The Humans UK Tour (UK, February 2010)[19]
  • Sugar Rush US Tour (USA, September 2011)[20]
  • Sugar Rush UK Tour (UK, October 2011)[21]
  • Telling Strange Tales (Upcoming, UK, April 2015)[22]

References[]

  1. ^ "Interview with Toyah Willcox at This Is Not Retro". thisisnotretro.com. June 2009.
  2. ^ "Interview with Toyah Willcox at This Is Not Retro". thisisnotretro.com. June 2009.
  3. ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/sugar-rush-mw0002210815
  4. ^ https://toyahwillcox.com/thehumans/
  5. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Humans Gigs List". toyahwillcox.com.
  6. ^ "We Are The Humans at Discogs". discogs.com.
  7. ^ "Sugar Rush at AllMusic". allmusic.com.
  8. ^ "Strange Tales at iTunes". itunes.apple.com.
  9. ^ "Noise In Your Head". discogs.com.
  10. ^ "Toyah & The Humans (6) - Live At Scala London". Discogs. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
  11. ^ "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' at Discogs". discogs.com.
  12. ^ "Live At Scala London Official Info". toyahwillcox.com.
  13. ^ "We Are The Humans at YouTube". youtube.com.
  14. ^ "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' at YouTube". youtube.com.
  15. ^ "Quicksilver at YouTube". youtube.com.
  16. ^ "Sea Of Size at YouTube". youtube.com.
  17. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Gigs Archive 2000-2009". toyahwillcox.com.
  18. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Gigs Archive 2000-2009". toyahwillcox.com.
  19. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Gigs Archive 2010-Present". toyahwillcox.com.
  20. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Gigs Archive 2010-Present". toyahwillcox.com.
  21. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Gigs Archive 2010-Present". toyahwillcox.com.
  22. ^ "Toyah Willcox Official Humans Gigs List". toyahwillcox.com.

External links[]

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