The Human Instinct
In the second half of the 1960s, New Zealand musicians departed with some regularity for London, the pop capital of the world. None were as successful there as The Human Instinct, who as the Four Fours, had already cut a steady, if unspectacular, pop path around the top half of the North Island.
The Four Fours were never the hippest group, but they were seasoned live performers, studio experienced and adaptable, with a strong pop sense and three fine vocalists in guitarists Dave Hartstone and Bill Ward and young drummer Maurice Greer. The group was completed by bass player Frank Hay.
The Human Instinct around 1974: Martin Hope, Maurice Greer and Glenn Mikkelson (Zaine Griff). John Donoghue is obscured to the right.
Maurice Greer, Dave Hartstone, Frank Hay, Bill Ward
Human Instinct - Play My Guitar (GTK, 1971)
Shirley Ryder Show - 2022 interview with Bill Ward
The Human Instinct at Club Bo Beep, Durham Lane, 1970: Larry Waide, Maurice Greer, Billy TK
Maurice Greer with The Human Instinct at Club Bo Peep, Durham Lane, Auckland, 1970
The Human Instinct, 1972: Neil Edwards, Maurice Greer, and Graeme Collins
Maurice Greer at Crofts, Airedale Street, Auckland circa 1974
Photo credit:
Martin Hope collection
Maiden Voyage
The 1974-75 membership card for the Greer Brothers club Shanty Town in the Civic building in Queen Street. Human Instinct were residents for much of that time.
Maurice Greer and Dave Hurley in London, 1967
The Human Instinct in 1974: John Donoghue, Glenn Mikkelson (Zaine Griff), Maurice Greer and Martin Hope
The Human Instinct: Neil Edwards, Maurice Greer, Billy TK at Club Bo Peep, Durham Lane, Auckland, in the early 1970s
Larry Waide, Maurice Greer, Billy TK, 1970
Maurice Greer at Club Bo Peep, Durham Lane, Auckland, 1970
The 1974 Human Instinct album The Huster featured Maurice Greer, Martin Hope, John Donoghue and Glenn Mikkelson (aka Zaine Griff) with the latter writing five of the nine tracks
Photo credit:
Susy Pointon
Maurice Greer at Crofts, Airedale Street, Auckland circa 1974
Photo credit:
Martin Hope collection
The Hustler album photo shoot with John Donoghue, Glenn Mikkelson (Zaine Griff) and Martin Hope
Maurice Greer and Billy TK
Early 1970s newspaper advertisement for Tabla Nitespot in Lorne St, Auckland. Bands included Human Instinct and Anteapot, which included future Dragon members Todd Hunter and Ray Goodwin.
Pink Dawn
The 1971 Human Instinct album Pins In It, the last with Billy TK. The artwork, uncredited on the release, was by Dick Frizzell.
The Human Instinct: Neil Edwards, Maurice Greer and Billy TK, 1971
The Human Instinct - Duchess of Montrose (GTK, 1971)
Maurice Greer, John Donoghue, Martin Hope
Maurice Greer in The Four Fours
Dave Hartstone, Maurice Greer, Frank Hay, Bill Ward, London 1967
The Human Instinct at Club Bo Beep, Durham Lane, 1970: Larry Waide, Maurice Greer, Billy TK
Maurice Greer at Club Bo Peep, Durham Lane, Auckland, circa 1970/71
The 1971 single of 'Black Sally'. It was a different recordng to the version found on the Stoned Guitar album
Photo credit:
Rone Kane Collection
The Human Instinct at Bo Peep, Durham Lane, Auckland, 1969: Peter Barton, Maurice Greer, Billy TK
The Human Instinct in London. From left: Frank Hay, Dave Hartstone, Bill Ward, Maurice Greer
Peter Barton, Maurice Greer, Billy TK
Members:
Phil Whitehead - lead guitar
Glenn Mickelsson - bass
Peter Cuddihy - bass
Chris Gunn - bass
Bill Ward - guitar
Maurice Greer - drums
Larry Waide - bass
Pete Barton - bass
Graeme Collins - keyboards
Martin Hope - guitar
Frank Hay - bass
Trivia:
Renaissance Fair was a minor American chart hit for Human Instinct in 1968 on Time Records. The song was originally released by The Byrds.
Discography