Human Instinct

Human Instinct is a rock band formed in New Zealand in 1966. The current lineup consists of Maurice Greer (Lead Singer/Stand-Up Drummer), Phil Pritchard (guitar), Tony Baird (Bass) and Joel Haines (guitar). One of New Zealand’s most popular hard rock/psychedelic bands of the late 1960s and early 1970s, their cult reputation for explosive live performances is an accomplishment strengthened by the radical rock they produced on 8 albums and 30 singles across its various incarnations. Human Instinct evolved from the Four Fours, which had some hits in New Zealand in the mid-1960s. In 1966 the Four Fours supported the Rolling Stones on their New Zealand tour. Later that year, the Four Fours sailed to England to try and make an entry into the British pop scene, changing their name to the Human Instinct on the way. In London, Human Instinct nailed an audition with their brilliant rendition of “Good Vibrations”. The bookings began to roll in with agents requesting the “band that did Good Vibrations with the stand-up drummer” and the band got to tour with numerous star groups as a support act. Signed to Philips they released three singles on the Mercury Label and then went on to record for Deram under producer Mike Hurst and made a couple more 45s. The most renowned is “A Day in My Mind’s Mind” and several other singles have surfaced on specialist British sixties rock reissues. After being on the road for two years the band decided to return to New Zealand. Upon arriving home, significant changes were made to the line-up and the band embarked on far heavier psychedelic direction. The band toured nationally before taking up a residency at the “Bo Peep Club” in Auckland. They hit the live circuit by storm with their high-powered shows. TV interviews had girls swooning everywhere over the fragile looking drummer with the long red hair - that alone ensured capacity crowds at the venues. Signed to the Pye Label the band recorded three albums in quick succession. Burning Up Years, Stoned Guitar and Pins In It. At the same time as the release of Pins In It, the band headed to Australia for a three month tour. Back in New Zealand Greer ventured into building and operating nightclubs with his brothers. The band continued to tour both New Zealand and abroad and returned to the studio to record three more albums - Snatmincuthin, The Hustler and Peg Leg. The Human Instinct albums were released on reissue CDs in the late 1990s and are still being released to meet the demand. Over the years Human Instinct has been a vehicle for many of New Zealand’s top musicians to have a stint in the band. Around 1982, Maurice Greer formally disbanded the Human Instinct until he resurrected the band again in 2002 for live performances. Recently Human Instinct release a new album Midnight Sun and is currently touring. HUMAN INSTINCT'S TIMELINE •2007-20011 – Human Instinct perform at corporate and special events •2008 – Stoned Guitar CD reissued on Vintage Label, Rockadrome Records, USA •2007 – Human Instinct perform main stage at Pentaport Rock Festival, Incheon, South Korea •2001 – Two Human Instinct albums, Burning Up Years and Stoned Guitar, appear in All Time Top 100 NZ Albums list. Burning Up Years at No. 14 and Stoned Guitar at No. •2002 - Human Instinct resurfaces for live performances •2002- Human Instinct perform live on TVNZs “Good Morning” show •2003 - Peg Leg (originally recorded in 1975) is released on CD •2003 – Human Instinct’s signature song Black Sally is selected by Neil Finn to be included in soundtrack for “Rain” movie •2003-2006 – Human Instinct perform at corporate and special events •1998 - Market demand sees a worldwide re-issue of Human Instinct LPs on CD. 15000 copies sold. •1982 - Greer formally disbands the Human Instinct to pursue night club interests. •1970s - On the Zodiac label Human Instinct Record three albums: SNATMINCUTHIN THE HUSTLER PEG LEG •Human Instinct attract capacity crowds at resident gigs in New Zealand •Human Instinct tour: •New Zealand•Australia•Singapore•England •Scotland•Wales•Tahiti•Europe •[timeline]1969-1971Signed to the PYE label[/timeline] Human Instinct record three albums: BURNING UP YEARS STONED GUITAR PINS IN IT •Human Instinct return to NZ and band undergoes major line-up changes under the leadership of Maurice Greer •Signed to Philips, the Human Instinct record 10 singles on Deram and Decca labels •Human Instinct perform at high profile venues - the Tiles Club and the Marquee. They also toured as support band for: • Small Faces • Cat Stevens • The Moody Blues • Roy Orbison •Jeff Beck Band •Spencer Davis Group •The Four Fours depart for UK changing their name on the way to Human Instinct. •The Human Instinct reside in UK for two years •1969: Second billing Rolling Stones NZ Tour •1960s - The Four Fours were NZ’s most popular group during the mid 60s •Release six NZ Hit Singles including: •Moon Blues•Theme from an Empty Coffee Lounge•Go Go Past Line-Ups of Human Instinct David Hartstone (Lead Vocals/Guitar) Bill Ward (Guitar) Frank Hay (Bass) Maurice Greer (Lead Vocals/Drums)Michael Brown (Bass) Peter Barton (Bass) Billy TK (Guitar) Larry Waide (Bass) Neil Edwards (Bass) Graeme Collins (Keyboards) Martin Hope (Guitar) John Donoghue (Guitar) Zaine Griff (aka Glen Mikkelson) (Bass) John Donoghue (Guitar) Phil Whitehead (Guitar) Steve McDonald (Keyboards) Peter Cuddihy (Bass Andrew Kaye (Keyboards) (Deceased) Chris Gunn (Bass) Malcolm Weatherall (Bass) Len Whittle (Keyboards) John Parker (Guitar) Kevin Fury (Guitar) Steve Hubbard (Guitar) Murray Hancox (Keyboards) Stuart Pearce (Keyboards) Peter Wood (Keyboards) Kent Aston (Guitar) Lindsay Mackenzie (Bass) Neil Edwards (Bass) Read more on Last.fm. 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