The Humans (UK band)

The Humans were a British-American rock band featuring singer Toyah Willcox, drummer Bill Rieflin, and musician Chris Wong. They have released three studio albums and have performed live in the UK, Estonia and the USA before disbanding in 2020, following Rieflin's passing.

For other bands, see The Humans.
The Humans
Genres
Years active2007–2020
Labels
MembersToyah Willcox
Bill Rieflin
Chris Wong

History

The Humans were formed in 2007 when musician Robert Fripp, who is married to Toyah Willcox, was invited to play at a birthday party for the President of Estonia. Too busy at that time, Fripp declined the invitation. Willcox then contacted the Estonian Embassy, who had issued the invitation, and offered to put an act together for the tour.[1] On acceptance by the Embassy, Willcox contacted friend and former R.E.M. musician, Bill Rieflin, and suggested a collaboration 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, thus completing the three-piece outfit.[2] The Humans performed at the Jazzkaar festival in Estonia in October 2007.[3]

The band released their debut album We Are the Humans on 1 May 2009. The release was celebrated with a concert at a music festival in Tartu, where the band was joined by Fripp on guitar. The album was promoted by the single and music video with a cover of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'". In February 2010, the band embarked on a short UK tour.[4] The Humans released their second album Sugar Rush on 27 September 2011. Robert Fripp appeared on guitar on every track of the album.[5] Igor Abuladze joined The Humans on their US and UK tour in 2011 in support of the album.[6] In 2013, the band released a live album, Live at Scala London, recorded three years before at London's Scala.

The third album entitled Strange Tales was released worldwide on 1 March 2014, initially only in digital format.[7] "Get in Your Car" was chosen as the lead single. A UK tour, Telling Strange Tales, took place in April 2015, and the album was then made available on CD.[8]

Bill Rieflin died on 24 March 2020 from cancer at the age of 59. In July, the band released a box set compilation called Noise in Your Head containing all three previous albums, a live album, and a DVD with a live concert. The box set was credited to Toyah & The Humans and dedicated to Rieflin.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums
  • Live at Scala London (2013)
  • Live at Trading Boundaries (2021)

Compilations

Singles
  • "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (2009)
  • "Get in Your Car" (2014)
  • "21st Century Schizoid Man" (2020)

Music videos
  • "We Are the Humans" (2007)[9]
  • "Quicksilver" (2009)[10]
  • "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" (2009)[11]
  • "Sea of Size" (2010)[12]

References
  1. "INTERVIEW: Toyah Wilcox". ukmusicreviews.co.uk. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  2. "TOYAH (THE HUMANS) INTERVIEW [2009]". This Is Not Retro. June 2009. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  3. "TUNER & THE HUMANS AT ULTRA JAZZ". jazzkaar.ee. 4 October 2007. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  4. "2010s GIG LIST". toyahwillcox.com. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  5. William Ruhlmann. "Sugar Rush - the Humans | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  6. "The Humans / Official Website". thehumansofficial.com. Archived from the original on 10 January 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  7. "THE HUMANS". toyahwillcox.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  8. "Live 2015: Telling Strange Tales: The Humans UK Tour". toyah.net. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  9. "Toyah & The Humans - We Are The Humans". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  10. "Toyah & The Humans - Quicksilver". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  11. "Toyah & The Humans feat. Robert Fripp - These Boots Are Made For Walkin'". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
  12. "Toyah & The Humans - Sea Of Size". youtube.com. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021.
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