Human Nature Rebooted at Star Casino

Arts & Entertainment Music Sound

Renee Lou Dallow
July 13, 2022

Image: Erick Adame

They say nice guys don’t make it big. This may be true in many cases but it is certainly not true of Human Nature. They are clean cut, slick, multi-talented and humble with high moral fibre and good family values. That, beside their obvious handsome, well groomed appearance and incredible ability to harmonise, is why they appeal to audiences of all ages.

To think that this smooth quartet had their humble beginnings in Bankstown way back in 1989 defies belief but is truly inspirational to all those dreaming of making it to the big time. The great thing about Human Nature is that they have retained their Aussie character despite the fact they now live in Las Vegas. When Andrew Tierney, the lead vocalist of the group, was asked if he had ever dreamed that one day he and the group would tour with John Farnham, be the support act for Celine Dion and open for Michael Jackson’s History tour, he simply replied, “We were just happy to get a gig.” In Tierney’s words the name of the group reflects their attitude of being, “down to earth, natural and organic.”

In 2009 Human Nature began their residency with the Imperial Palace Las Vegas and have never looked back. Their 1000th show was celebrated in 2014 and in November 2019 they were inducted in the Aria Hall Of Fame. According to Smokey Robinson, of Motown fame, when introducing the group in Vegas, they were the hardest working group he’d ever met. Four of their albums have reached number 1 on the Aria charts and they are the only group ever to have had six top 40 hits from one album. Their biggest hit, He Don’t Love You made it to the top 20 in the UK.

Human Nature’s songwriting has been inspired by the likes of The Four Tops, The Bee Gees, and The Temptations amongst others. Their sound has moved between doowop and Motown with ease. They have evolved as the music has evolved. Their moves, however, took a little longer to co-ordinate than their voices. Mike Tierney, Andrew’s brother is the one with the highest pitch whilst Phil has a middle tone and Toby has a natural base. These definitions, however, don’t translate into movement. Incredible then that these four realised very early on how important it was to get that aspect of their performance right, working out how to change their moves, in unison with the changing rhythms.

As their careers evolved they began employing choreographers to work with them and the rest, they say, is history.

They have always been clean cut and well mannered because as Andrew explained, “we had a good upbringing. About the worst thing any of us ever did was when Toby got a nose ring.” Being so hard working, it seems, they never had time to rebel.

It is very rare for four school friends, originally calling themselves 4Trax, to stay the distance. When asked about preventing competitive behavour and artistic disagreements spilling over, Andrew Tierney explained, “we try to keep everything on a professional level and understand that each one of us has different strengths and weaknesses.”

Living in Las Vegas, as they are now almost Imperial Palace Royalty, they are happily living out the dream. “I don’t know about being hardworking. I’m extremely lucky in being able to do what I love every day,” Tierney said. He has been married for 23 years and has a lovely daughter to whom he loves to read stories. In fact, during COVID lockdowns and cancellations, his wife encouraged him to write a book about his daughter’s adventures. He wrote Finding Bunny which is all about the day his daughter lost her stuffed bunny and what a dilemma that was. Tierney’s now written a sequel and followed up with two more books, Maybe and The Most Beautiful Thing.

According to Andrew Tierney the Australian tour will be a fun intimate tour. During the performance they will present a catalogue which follows their long and illustrious career. A combination of their pop and Motown hits along with compilations and songs co-written with other artists as well. It has been a career that has spanned over 30 years and they will be explaining decisions made along the way. A 30 year career that shows no signs of slowing down and Star Casino should make them feel right at home. It is, afterall, Sydney’s answer to Vegas.