The Humans (New York band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1964 |
| Headquarters | Albion, New York , United States |
| Products | Garage rock music |
The Humans were a 1960s American garage rock group originating from Albion, New York. Achieving regional acclaim, they toured extensively throughout the Northeast and earned a local hit with their single "Take a Taxi" backed with "Warning," which received radio play beyond their immediate area. Among garage rock enthusiasts, "Warning" holds particular significance and was featured on the Back from the Grave compilation.
History
Established in the summer of 1964 in Albion, New York, the six members had all previously participated in their high school marching band. The ensemble consisted of Dick Doolan (vocals), Danny Long (vocals, harmonica), Bill Kuhns (lead guitar), Gar Trusselle (keyboards), Marty Busch (bass), and Jack Dumrese (drums). They selected the name "Humans" as a playful contrast to the animal-themed band names popularized by British Invasion groups during that period. Their management was handled by Al Cecere from Rochester, and they were signed to Premier Talent Associates in New York City, with Rich Nader as their agent—who would later gain recognition as a prominent rock festival promoter.
The Humans cultivated a strong regional following through Northeast tours, opening for notable acts such as the Hollies and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. In 1966, they completed a two-week stint in Miami alongside the Standells and also appeared at the Rheingold Festival held in Central Park, Manhattan. The band maintained close connections with fellow New York group the Heard and frequently performed at Oak Orchard Lanes in Albion, sharing the stage with Buffalo’s Caesar and His Romans. Oak Orchard Lanes was a significant venue that also hosted bands like The Rivieras and the Shadows of Knight.
Their single released in 1966 on Audition Records—managed by their own manager—was recorded at Riposo Studios in Syracuse. It featured "Take a Taxi" on the A-side and "Warning" on the B-side, both written by lead guitarist Bill Kuhns. While "Take a Taxi" incorporated folk rock elements, it was "Warning" that emerged as their defining track within garage rock circles despite being the flip side. The record achieved regional success with airplay extending through the Northeast and other parts of the United States; Billboard noted it reached top twenty status in Michigan and Texas. These two songs remained central to their live repertoire.
During an era when longer hairstyles attracted negative attention, The Humans often encountered harassment. To create their own performance space, they rented an unused movie theater in Albion and named it "Happiness Is..." Tragedy struck in September 1966 when vocalist Danny Long died in an automobile accident, setting off circumstances that contributed to the band's breakup. Additionally, some members faced draft pressures related to the Vietnam War. Their final performance took place at "Happiness Is..." in November 1966 before disbanding by year’s end.
The band's influence persists within garage rock communities, largely due to "Warning" being included on Crypt Records’ 1985 compilation Back from the Grave, Volume 5. In Mike Markesich's Teebeat Mayhem, which ranks over 16,000 garage rock records, "Warning" holds position #128 among the greatest tracks ever recorded.
Membership
- Dick Doolan (vocals)
- Danny Long (vocals and harmonica)
- Bill Kuhns (lead guitar)
- Gar Trusselle (keyboards)
- Marty Busch (bass)
- Jack Dumrese (drums)
Discography
- "Warning" backed with "Take a Taxi" (Audition 6109, June 1966)
Bibliography
- Mike Markesich, Teenbeat Mayhem, Priceless Info Press, 2012, Branford, Connecticut, ISBN 978-0-985-64825-1, p.129