The Humans (UK band)

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.
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.
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. Igor Abuladze joined The Humans on their US and UK tour in 2011 in support of the album.
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.
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