A rave from the grave......

Anybody out there remember a year or so ago when I used to rave about a local band called “We’re Only Human”?

Oh how I wept at their demise. Well now, kiddies, they’re back in town! Vocalist and one-man keep rock n’ roll alive in Islington merchant Alan Hammonds has finally got off his …er, behind and reformed We’re Only Human with new bassist Steve Wells. And just last week they played their back from the grave gig at the Clarendon, Hammersmith to an extremely healthy turn out.

I entered as the boys were half way through their first number and theme tune – We’re Only Human natch and oooooooweeeeoooooh!!! Things were already cooking!! Next came a whole mess of new songs including potently irresistible gems like “Everything she touches turns to gold”. They seem to have the ability of combining the no-nonsense rawness of The Clash with the rock/pop sensibility of the classic Mott The Hoople singles. I’m talking pure, wholesome, soul warming rock n’ roll.

Guitarist and self confessed glamour boy (heh! Heh!) Johnny Rollason is honestly one of the greatest guitarists I’ve ever had the pleasure of aiming my shell likes at. Every note was as mouth watering as a slice of melon on the hottest of days. Why, I can’t even fault ‘em in any way….which is tres (and I mean TRES) unusual for moi!!

‘Course the evening was slightly smeared b the three punk-skin types who insisted on obliterating the audience by pogoing uncontrollably during the encore. Front man Alan Hammonds understandably halted the proceedings and called it a day. Amazing how only three could ruin the enjoyment of so many. But, Al…this is 1983 and you can’t just ignore the many breeds rock has manifested. And…er..play again soon, huh?

Ray Mathew

Twilight Capers – the Islington Gazette 1983