Human Nature (band)

Human Nature are an Australian pop vocal group which formed in 1989. They are a quartet featuring Toby Allen, Phil Burton and brothers, Andrew and Mike Tierney. Originally they were established as a doo-wop group called the 4 Trax, when the members were schoolmates.

After signing with Sony Music as Human Nature, they released their debut album, Telling Everybody, in 1996. Four of their albums have reached number one on the ARIA Albums Charts, Counting Down (May 1999), Reach Out: The Motown Record (November 2005), Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II (October 2006) and Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox Vol II (August 2016). Three other albums reached number two, Get Ready (November 2007), Jukebox (October 2014), and Romance of the Jukebox (August 2018).

Their top 10 hits on the related ARIA Singles Chart are "Wishes" (October 1996), "Don't Say Goodbye" (March 1997), "Everytime You Cry" (duet with John Farnham, October 1997), "Don't Cry" (July 1999), "Eternal Flame" (October 1999), "He Don't Love You" (November 2000) and "When You Say You Love Me" (April 2004). Three of their albums received multi-platinum certification from ARIA, while four others have received platinum, with a total shipment of over 1.6 million records in Australia, as of April 2011.

The group have toured both nationally and internationally including as a support act for Celine Dion on her Falling Into You Around the World Tour (March 1996, June 1997) and Let's Talk About Love World Tour (1998). They also opened for Michael Jackson on the HIStory World Tour (December 1996, early to mid-1997). At the ARIA Music Awards of 2006 they won Highest Selling Album for Reach Out: The Motown Record. In May 2009 they began a residency performing a Motown-themed show on the Las Vegas Strip and in April 2014 they completed their 1000th show. In November 2019 Human Nature were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

History

Early career: The 4 Trax

Human Nature started as the 4 Trax in Sydney in late 1989 when Toby Allen (born 1973) and Phil Burton (born 1974) joined with brothers Andrew Tierney (born 1974) and Michael Tierney (born 1977). They represented Hurlstone Agricultural High School as well as a public school in Sydneys west, in a combined regional schools concert, the Schools Spectacular at the Bankstown Town Hall, on 27 November 1989. This event is still held annually featuring around 6000 NSW Public School students. All four members had choir backgrounds and were inspired by groups from the Motown era, including the Four Tops. In Bankstown, they had sung The Penguins' hit "Earth Angel". Andrew later told Megan Riggs of What's on Highway Radio that it was the only song they knew and they were encouraged to listen to more Motown groups.

After the elder three members had finished high school, Allen worked as a perfume salesman and studied courses in accounting and geology; Andrew studied physiotherapy for two years; and Burton was studying to be a music teacher. Mike, the youngest member of the group, was doing his Higher School Certificate in his final year of secondary school. The 4 Trax initially gave street performances in the doo-wop style, and after winning some talent quests, they began singing professionally in clubs and built a following. The group sent demo recordings to record labels. On a visit to Sony CEO, Denis Handlin, they performed an a cappella version of "People Get Ready", and landed a contract.

By 1995 the group felt the 4 Trax name was dated, so they brainstormed, thinking of alternatives: Mike suggested Human Nature. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1996 they received their first nomination, for Best Talent for "Got It Goin' On". In July 1996, they followed up with "Tellin' Everybody", again written by Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney and producer Paul Begaud, which reached the top 30. "Wishes" was co-written by Alan Glass with its producer, Andrew Klippel (ex-member of Euphoria).

On 2 December 1996, Human Nature released their debut album, Telling Everybody, which reached No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart and remained in the top 50 for 64 weeks. Eight of its twelve tracks were produced by Paul Begaud and the other four by Klippel. Christie Eliezer of Billboard listed the album at number 9 in his top 10 for the year, declaring that it had "Stunning R&B vocals." He opined that outside Australia the group's "three strongest markets outside are Japan, Germany and Taiwan." Mike Tierney told G Mintern of The Times in November, "Well its totally amazing, and a real coup for us and a great opportunity to showcase our music to a large number of people." They continued opening for Jackson on the European leg through early 1997. and at Wembley Stadium for three nights. In April and May 1997 they toured United Kingdom supporting local girl group Eternal. In June 1998 they issued a VHS, Human Nature – Telling Everybody... The Story, produced and directed by Ross Wood, which contained footage of their European and Japanese 1997 tours supporting Dion, Jackson and Eternal.

Additional singles from Telling Everybody are "Don't Say Goodbye" (March 1997, Peaking at No. 8), "Whisper Your Name" (with both songs having been co-written by Andrew Tierney, Michael Tierney, Paul Begaud) and produced by Begaud. (August, No. 18), and "People Get Ready" (November, top 40). The album achieved triple-platinum status in 1997. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1997 they received nominations for Best Pop Release and Producer of the Year (Paul Begaud) for "Telling Everybody", Highest Selling Single for both "Don't Say Goodbye" and "Wishes", and Breakthrough Artist – Album for Telling Everybody. The group received a nomination at the ARIA Music Awards of 1998 for Producer of the Year for Paul Begaud's work on "Whisper Your Name" and another for Highest Selling Single (with Farnham) for "Every Time You Cry". In December 1998 they supported Janet Jackson's tour of Australia. It debuted at Number One (#1) on the ARIA charts, remained in the top 50 for 26 weeks and was certified platinum by the end of the following year. McFarlane described it as "smooth R&B pop".

"Every Time You Cry" was included on the album and five other singles charted in the ARIA top 40: "Cruel" (September 1998, No. 1 "Last to Know" (March 1999, No. 14), "Don't Cry" (July, No. 5), "Eternal Flame" (October, No. 8) – a cover version of the 1989 hit by The Bangles – and "Be There with You", the later was again written by the Tierney brothers and Paul Begaud and produced by Begaud. (April 2000, No. 40) Human Nature were the first Australian group, and as of October 2007, the only one to have six top 40 hits from the one album. All except "Be There with You" received gold certification in Australia.

Human Nature went on an Australian concert tour of symphonic versions of Beatles' songs, conducted by George Martin. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1999 they were nominated for Best Pop Release for Counting Down; Producer of the Year (Paul Begaud) for "Now That I Found You", "Depend on Me", "Last to Know", "Be There with You"; and Highest Selling Single for "Last to Know". and No. 7 in Australia to become the second best selling Australasian single for that year.

On 15 September Human Nature performed the Australian National Anthem at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympics with singer Julie Anthony and musician James Morrison. In November they made a guest appearance on the Australian TV soap opera, Neighbours, where they sang "He Don't Love You" at Erinsborough High's debutante ball, and "Wishes" a cappella at the ball's after party.

On 16 November 2001 Human Nature released their first greatest hits album, Here & Now: The Best of Human Nature, featuring 17 tracks, three of which had not been on previous albums. It reached No. 11 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2001 "He Don't Love You" was nominated for Highest Selling Single and Best Video (directed by Mark Hartley). Allen won a Helpmann Award for his performance. For the duration of the musical play's run Human Nature were in hiatus.

Walk the Tightrope, Motown cover albums (2004–2007)

Human Nature released their fourth studio album, Walk the Tightrope, on 26 April 2004, which reached No. 12. Andrew explained, "With this record, we wanted to take a bit of a chance, do things we haven't done before. Break the Human Nature mould." Amazon.com's editor opined that they "have never sounded better. A blend of Bee Gees groove inspired dance floor tracks, upbeat pop numbers and gorgeous ballads."

Its first single "When You Say You Love Me", co-written by Darren Hayes (ex-Savage Garden) and Rick Nowels, is a cover version of Clay Aiken's album track. In April 2004 it reached No. 7 in Australia. The album also features a reworking of "Guilty (One in a Million)" by Barry Gibb and Barbra Streisand, John Shand of The Sydney Morning Herald declared that Allen "seemed wasted" in his role. AllMusic's Matt Collar found the tracks were "well-produced and reverent reworkings of the original '60s versions that should appeal to both aficionados of Motown soul and longtime Human Nature fans." Burton explained their development, "We've gone through the Telling Everybody and the boy band phase – as you said – but now we're showing everyone how we got to where we are and that's by listening to this type of music. It really suits us." and, five weeks later, reached number one on the ARIA Album Chart; it remained in the top 50 for 56 weeks. It received 6× Platinum certification in 2007 from ARIA for shipment of over 420,000 units. In 2006 they performed across Australia on their Motown Show Tour with special guest, Doug Parkinson.

Both Allen and Burton have appeared in reality TV shows: Allen in the fourth season of Channel 7's Dancing with the Stars (May 2006) – finishing third – Burton in the second season of Nine Network's Celebrity Overhaul (January 2007). Both Allen and Burton appeared on 19 March 2006 episode of Channel 10's Australia's Brainiest series where they competed for the title of Australia's Brainiest Musician: Burton won and Allen was a runner-up.

On 29 October 2006 Human Nature won the ARIA Award for Highest Selling Album for Reach Out: The Motown Record. Human Nature performed at the ceremony, ARIA provided a summary, "[the] lads delivered a fine medley of Motown hits and, in their sharp blue suits, were easily the best-dressed blokes in the room." Eliezer reported that with its predecessor "Motown tunes revive Human Nature." It debuted at number one on the ARIA Album Chart and was certified 3× Platinum for 2006. Dancing in the Street was nominated at the ARIA Music Awards of 2007 for Best Selling Album.

On 24 November 2007 Human Nature released their third Motown-themed album, Get Ready, which featured appearances by several original Motown artists: Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson (The Supremes, The Temptations). Robinson flew to Australia for its release, and performed with the group on Dancing with the Stars and Sunrise. The album reached number two on the ARIA Albums Chart and was certified platinum. Three performances at the Sydney Opera House were next in mid-December, fronting the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Guy Noble. They performed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Melbourne (February 2009), and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth (February–March).

In May 2009 Human Nature became the second Australian group to have a residency on the Las Vegas Strip (The Four Kinsmen were the first, from 1996) when they began a year-long engagement at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino.

On 12 December they returned to Australia for a homecoming show with Robinson and Jessica Mauboy at the Wyndham Estate winery in the Hunter Region. In May 2010 the Imperial Palace extended the group's engagement by two years, and also renamed their venue, as Human Nature Theatre. Las Vegas mayor, Oscar Goodman, also decreed that 11 May 2010 is to be known as Human Nature Day.

Human Nature released their ninth studio album, Vegas: Songs from Sin City, in November 2010, which reached the ARIA top 30.

In celebration of their 500th show at the Imperial Palace on 30 June 2011, Human Nature recorded a full-length PBS concert special, Human Nature Sings Motown with Special Guest Smokey Robinson at the Paris Theatre at Paris Las Vegas on 6–7 July.

On 6 March 2012 Human Nature released a DVD of the PBS concert, but reached number one on the Motown Chart, and number one on the Billboard Heatseeker Chart. They appeared on the 23 April broadcast of the American ABC's Dancing with the Stars, alongside Motown artists, Robinson, Martha Reeves and the Temptations. The tour included visits to Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston and New York City. For the east coast tour they used their Vegas backing band, the Funk Foundation.

Human Nature signed a two-year deal with Venetian Hotel and Casino beginning a residency there in January 2013. The group performed the Smokey Robinson presents Human Nature: The Motown Show five nights a week at the Sands Showroom.

The Christmas Album & Jukebox albums (2013–2018)

thumb|right|The band performing on [[Sunrise (Australian TV program)|Sunrise in 2019.]]

In November 2013 Human Nature released The Christmas Album, which reached No. 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart, On 10 April 2014 they played their 1000th show in Vegas, with Robinson joining them on stage. In September they appeared on Australian TV's Sunrise to promote their concept album, Jukebox, featuring cover versions of tracks from the 1950s and 1960s. It debuted at No. 2. In April 2019 Human Nature celebrated their 30th anniversary with a Little More Love tour. It provided their biggest live shows and commenced in the Gold Coast and concluded in Sydney. In November of that year the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and sang a medley of their tracks, "Don't Say Goodbye", "He Don't Love You", "Dancing in the Street", and "Everytime You Cry". A compilation album, titled Still Telling Everybody: 30 Years of Hits was released in November 2019 and peaked at number 3 on the ARIA Charts.

On 2 February 2020, the group premiered a brand new single titled "Nobody Just Like You" at the 2020 Australian Open men's final.

Band members

Toby Allen – bass vocals (1989–present)
Phil Burton – baritone vocals, keyboard, guitar (1989–present)
Andrew Tierney – lead vocals, keyboard (1989–present)
Michael Tierney – tenor vocals (1989–present)

Discography

;Studio albums

Telling Everybody (1996)
Counting Down (1999)
Human Nature (2000)
Walk the Tightrope (2004)
Reach Out: The Motown Record (2005)
Dancing in the Street: the Songs of Motown II (2006)
Get Ready (2007)
A Symphony of Hits (2008)
Vegas: Songs from Sin City (2010)
The Christmas Album (2013)
Jukebox (2014)
Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox Vol II (2016)
Romance of the Jukebox (2018)

Tours

All Human Nature tours in Australia.

Main tours

Here and Now (with Bardot) (2002)
Reach Out (2006)
Gimme Some Lovin' (2017)
Romance (2019)

Woolworths' Carols in the Domain

In 2006, Human Nature were at Carols in the Domain at The Domain, Sydney.

Awards

ARIA Awards

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony held by the Australian Recording Industry Association to recognise excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. Human Nature has achieved one win (in 2006) from sixteen nominations. In 2019 they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

! reference

| 1996

| "Got It Goin' On"

| Best New Talent

| rowspan="5"|1997

| rowspan="2"|Telling Everybody

|Breakthrough Artist – Album

| rowspan="5"|

| Best Pop Release

| Telling Everybody – Paul Begaud

| Producer of the Year

| "Don't Say Goodbye"

| Highest Selling Single

| "Wishes"

| Highest Selling Single

|rowspan=2"|1998

| "Every Time You Cry" (John Farnham and Human Nature)

| Highest Selling Single

|rowspan="2"|

| "Whisper Your Name" – Paul Begaud

| Producer of the Year

|rowspan=3"|1999

| "Last to Know"

| Highest Selling Single

|rowspan="3"|

| Counting Down

| Best Pop Release

| "Now That I Found You", "Depend on Me", "Last to Know", "Be There with You" – Paul Begaud (and for other work)

| Producer of the Year

|rowspan=2"|2001

| "He Don't Love You"

| Highest Selling Single

|rowspan="2"|

| "He Don't Love You" – Mark Hartley (and for other work)

| Best Video

| rowspan="2"|2006

| rowspan="2"|Reach Out: The Motown Record

| Highest Selling Album

| rowspan="2"|

| Best Adult Contemporary Album

| 2007

| Dancing in the Street: The Songs of Motown II

| Highest Selling Album

| 2019

| Human Nature

| ARIA Hall of Fame

| Note: 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

| 2006

| The Motown Show

| Best Performance in an Australian Contemporary Concert

Medal of the Order of Australia

For the 2019 Australia Day Honours, on 26 January, each of the four members of Human Nature received the Medal of the Order of Australia (General Division), with the citation, "for service to the performing arts as an entertainer."

Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Human Nature won six awards in that time.

(wins only)

| 1992

| The 4 Trax

| Johnny O'Keefe Encouragement Award

|rowspan="2"| 1994

| The 4 Trax

| Variety Group of the Year

| The 4 Trax

| Variety Performer of the Year

| 1997

| Human Nature

| Australian Performer of the Year

| 2001

| Human Nature

| Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year

| 2002

| Human Nature

| Contemporary Rock Performer of the Year

References

External links

Official site
Human Nature Las Vegas show page from Imperial Palace
Perth Music Interview