Human Drama
Encyclopedia
Human Drama was a gothic rock
/dark wave band led by singer/songwriter Johnny Indovina
. They are primarily known for playing a mixture of sad acoustic and gothic
atmospheric melodies. Although they don't count themselves as being only a gothic band, they are often named so by music critics.
, Lou Reed
, Tom Waits
, David Bowie
, and Leonard Cohen
, among others. By 1985 they had relocated to Los Angeles
where they changed their name to Human Drama and quickly became prominent in what was at the time the most celebrated and influential music scene in the world. The legendary "Scream Scene" developed around an underground LA club called Scream, and spawned dozens of major label acts, including Guns N' Roses
and Jane's Addiction
.
Human Drama was signed to RCA Records
in 1988 and released both an EP, "Hopes, Prayers, Dreams, Heart, Soul, Mind, Love, Life, Death
", and an LP, "Feel", a year later. When RCA failed to provide adequate promotional support, Indovina asked for the band's release.
Human Drama signed next to Triple X Records
, and released "The World Inside
" in 1992, which added soft acoustic guitars, flute, and touches of classical violin and cello to their instrumental mix, radically altering the band's sonic presentation. While RCA had promised a video but did not deliver, Triple X did. A video for "This Tangled Web" was directed by long time friend, roadie and tour manager for the band, Dave Eddy. The album proved so popular that Triple X eventually released a companion six-video compilation which included detailed narration from Johnny Indovina
.
Pinups, a collection of cover songs which had influenced Indovina's artistic growth was released in 1993, followed by the simply titled "Human Drama
" EP in 1994, and "Songs of Betrayal
" in 1995 both on Projekt Records
. In 1998 "14,384 Days Later
", a live, career-spanning retrospective was released on both Hollow Hills/Triple X and the Mexican Opcion Sonica label. In 1997 Indovina asked Eddy to start putting together a book of Indovina's lyrics, fan thoughts and photos. When Eddy moved to the east coast another long-time friend who had maintained the band mailing list, Megan Ducker, finished the book, titled "My Bag of Secrets...the Words of Human Drama
", and was published in 1998. The following year brought "Solemn Sun Setting
", the band's seventh album, and in 2000, Triple X
released "The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World
".
Indovina then released "Momentos en el Tiempo", the first live document of his solo acoustic shows. Produced by long-time Human Drama guitarist Michael Ciravolo, the disc was culled from several performances recorded between 1995 and 2000, in such far-reaching venues as Café Bizarro in Mexico City
and CBGB's in New York
.
The final Human Drama album is “Cause and Effect” , released in the US on Projekt Records
, and in Latin America
by Noise Kontrol. Human Drama came to an end in 2005.
released Sound Of The Blue Heart, Triple X Records. In an interview, Indovina announced he was working on songs for a second Sound Of The Blue Heart album.
My Skin - The World Inside (1992)
This Tangled Web - The World Inside (1992)
Death of an Angel - Moments in Time (2002/2005)
contains lyrics, photos and commentary from Johnny Indovina
and his fans. It was released in 1997.
Gothic rock
Gothic rock is a musical subgenre of post-punk and alternative rock that formed during the late 1970s. Gothic rock bands grew from the strong ties they had to the English punk rock and emerging post-punk scenes...
/dark wave band led by singer/songwriter Johnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina is a singer, songwriter and producer. Indovina fronted the Underground/Goth band Human Drama from 1985 to 2005. As the primary songwriter, he produced eight albums, two EPs and a "Best of" collection...
. They are primarily known for playing a mixture of sad acoustic and gothic
Goth subculture
The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in England during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify...
atmospheric melodies. Although they don't count themselves as being only a gothic band, they are often named so by music critics.
Human Drama (1985 - 2005)
Human Drama began in New Orleans in 1980 as the Models. Human Drama's musical influences stem from artists such as Joy DivisionJoy Division
Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band primarily consisted of Ian Curtis , Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris .Joy Division rapidly evolved from their initial punk rock influences...
, Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, Tom Waits
Tom Waits
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. Waits has a distinctive voice, described by critic Daniel Durchholz as sounding "like it was soaked in a vat of bourbon, left hanging in the smokehouse for a few months, and then taken outside and run over with a car."...
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, and Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
, among others. By 1985 they had relocated to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where they changed their name to Human Drama and quickly became prominent in what was at the time the most celebrated and influential music scene in the world. The legendary "Scream Scene" developed around an underground LA club called Scream, and spawned dozens of major label acts, including Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
and Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
.
Human Drama was signed to RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 1988 and released both an EP, "Hopes, Prayers, Dreams, Heart, Soul, Mind, Love, Life, Death
Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death
Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death by Human Drama was released by RCA Records in 1988.-Track listing:# "Old Man"# "Nothing I Judge"# "I Bleed for You"# "The Waiting Hour"...
", and an LP, "Feel", a year later. When RCA failed to provide adequate promotional support, Indovina asked for the band's release.
Human Drama signed next to Triple X Records
Triple X Records
Triple X Records is a Los Angeles based record company. They are the label for bands such as Bo Diddley, The Vandals, Jane's Addiction, Social Distortion, Human Drama, Of Cabbages And Kings, Angry Samoans, Bad Manners, Stephen Pearcy, Dr...
, and released "The World Inside
The World Inside (album)
The World Inside is an album by Human Drama, released by Triple X in 1992. The album landed three videos, "Look into a Strangers Eyes", "Fascination and Fear" and "My Skin", onto Billboard's Top 40 Indie Video chart.-Track listing:...
" in 1992, which added soft acoustic guitars, flute, and touches of classical violin and cello to their instrumental mix, radically altering the band's sonic presentation. While RCA had promised a video but did not deliver, Triple X did. A video for "This Tangled Web" was directed by long time friend, roadie and tour manager for the band, Dave Eddy. The album proved so popular that Triple X eventually released a companion six-video compilation which included detailed narration from Johnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina is a singer, songwriter and producer. Indovina fronted the Underground/Goth band Human Drama from 1985 to 2005. As the primary songwriter, he produced eight albums, two EPs and a "Best of" collection...
.
Pinups, a collection of cover songs which had influenced Indovina's artistic growth was released in 1993, followed by the simply titled "Human Drama
Human Drama (album)
-Track listing:# "It Is Fear"# "Breathe"# "Tired"# "Sad I Cry"# "Remember Well"# "Solitude "# "White River"# "The Waiting Hour "- External links :*...
" EP in 1994, and "Songs of Betrayal
Songs of Betrayal
-Track listing:# "E. 2nd St."# "Another Fifty Miles"# "This Forgotten Love " [1992]# "Solitude I"# "Forever"# "It Is Fear"# "Where Our Weakness Lies"# "Solitude II"# "Let the Darkness In"# "As Love Comes Tumbling"# "I Wonder Why"...
" in 1995 both on Projekt Records
Projekt Records
This is the article for the record label. You might be looking for Pro-jekt, ProjeKct, Project Pitchfork, or Projekt RevolutionProjekt is a Brooklyn, New York-based independent record label specializing in gothic rock, ambient, ethereal, darkwave, shoegaze, dream-pop, and dark cabaret created by...
. In 1998 "14,384 Days Later
Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later
Human Drama Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later was released by Triple X in 1996.-Track listing:# "Death Of An Angel" # "Wave Of Darkness"# "Who By Fire" # "A Million Years" # "Through My Eyes" # "Dying In A Moment Of Splendor"...
", a live, career-spanning retrospective was released on both Hollow Hills/Triple X and the Mexican Opcion Sonica label. In 1997 Indovina asked Eddy to start putting together a book of Indovina's lyrics, fan thoughts and photos. When Eddy moved to the east coast another long-time friend who had maintained the band mailing list, Megan Ducker, finished the book, titled "My Bag of Secrets...the Words of Human Drama
My Bag of Secrets (The Words of Human Drama)
Published in 1997, My Bag of Secrets is a compilation of Human Drama lyrics by Johnny Indovina. It also contains photos and commentary from Johnny Indovina and his fans....
", and was published in 1998. The following year brought "Solemn Sun Setting
Solemn Sun Setting
-Track listing:# "My Denial" # "The Ways And Wounds " # "A Single White Rose" # "Somewhere" # "Love's Way" # "To Love Her" # "A Simple Glance" # "The Truth About Gina" # "Lost" # "I Cannot Believe" # "Goodbye" # "The Great Pretender"...
", the band's seventh album, and in 2000, Triple X
Triple X Records
Triple X Records is a Los Angeles based record company. They are the label for bands such as Bo Diddley, The Vandals, Jane's Addiction, Social Distortion, Human Drama, Of Cabbages And Kings, Angry Samoans, Bad Manners, Stephen Pearcy, Dr...
released "The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World
The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World
Human Drama The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World was released by Triple X in 2000.-Track listing:# "Death Of An Angel" # "I Could Be A Killer" # "This Tangled Web" # "Fascination And Fear" # "Fading Away" # "A Million Years"...
".
Indovina then released "Momentos en el Tiempo", the first live document of his solo acoustic shows. Produced by long-time Human Drama guitarist Michael Ciravolo, the disc was culled from several performances recorded between 1995 and 2000, in such far-reaching venues as Café Bizarro in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
and CBGB's in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
.
The final Human Drama album is “Cause and Effect” , released in the US on Projekt Records
Projekt Records
This is the article for the record label. You might be looking for Pro-jekt, ProjeKct, Project Pitchfork, or Projekt RevolutionProjekt is a Brooklyn, New York-based independent record label specializing in gothic rock, ambient, ethereal, darkwave, shoegaze, dream-pop, and dark cabaret created by...
, and in Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
by Noise Kontrol. Human Drama came to an end in 2005.
2005-Present: Post-breakup
In late 2006, Johnny IndovinaJohnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina is a singer, songwriter and producer. Indovina fronted the Underground/Goth band Human Drama from 1985 to 2005. As the primary songwriter, he produced eight albums, two EPs and a "Best of" collection...
released Sound Of The Blue Heart, Triple X Records. In an interview, Indovina announced he was working on songs for a second Sound Of The Blue Heart album.
Clips
My Skin - The World Inside (1992) This Tangled Web - The World Inside (1992) Death of an Angel - Moments in Time (2002/2005)Albums
| Date of Release | Title | Label | Type |
| 2005 | Moments in Time Moments in Time Human Drama's Moments in Time album was released by Triple X in 2005. It is a live acoustic recording, produced by Johnny Indovina.-Track listing:# "Mr... |
Triple X Triple X Records Triple X Records is a Los Angeles based record company. They are the label for bands such as Bo Diddley, The Vandals, Jane's Addiction, Social Distortion, Human Drama, Of Cabbages And Kings, Angry Samoans, Bad Manners, Stephen Pearcy, Dr... |
Live |
| 2002 | Cause and Effect | Projekt Records Projekt Records This is the article for the record label. You might be looking for Pro-jekt, ProjeKct, Project Pitchfork, or Projekt RevolutionProjekt is a Brooklyn, New York-based independent record label specializing in gothic rock, ambient, ethereal, darkwave, shoegaze, dream-pop, and dark cabaret created by... |
LP |
| 2002 | Momento's En El Tiempo Momento's En El Tiempo Human Drama Momentos En El Tiempo was released by Noise Kontrol in 2002 - Live Acoustic by Johnny Indovina. Though released under the full band name, this is actually a collection of tracks from appearances by Indovina solo, live and acoustic, covering the latter half of the 1990s in America and... |
Noise Kontrol | Live |
| 2000 | The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World Human Drama The Best of Human Drama...In a Perfect World was released by Triple X in 2000.-Track listing:# "Death Of An Angel" # "I Could Be A Killer" # "This Tangled Web" # "Fascination And Fear" # "Fading Away" # "A Million Years"... |
Triple X | Best Of |
| 1999 | Solemn Sun Setting Solemn Sun Setting -Track listing:# "My Denial" # "The Ways And Wounds " # "A Single White Rose" # "Somewhere" # "Love's Way" # "To Love Her" # "A Simple Glance" # "The Truth About Gina" # "Lost" # "I Cannot Believe" # "Goodbye" # "The Great Pretender"... |
Triple X | LP |
| 1999 | Songs of Betrayal Part Two Songs of Betrayal Part Two Human Drama Song of Betrayal Part Two was released by Triple X in 1999.-Track listing:# "All That Cuts Today" # "Solitude III"# "Blue" # "Tired" # "The Silent Dance" # "Solitude V" # "Remember Well" # "Sad I Cry" # "The Puzzle"... |
Triple X | LP |
| 1999 | Songs of Betrayal Part One Songs of Betrayal Part One Human Drama Song of Betrayal Part One was released by Triple X in 1999.-Track listing:# "E 2nd St." # "Another Fifty Miles" # "This Forgotten Love" # "Solitude I" # "Forever Listen" # "It Is Fear" # "Where Our Weakness Lies" # "Solitude II"... |
Triple X | LP |
| 1998 | Heroin / Never Never Heroin / Never Never "Heroin" is a song by Human Drama, released as a single on Triple X in 1998.... |
Triple X | Single |
| 1996 | Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later Human Drama Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Four Days Later was released by Triple X in 1996.-Track listing:# "Death Of An Angel" # "Wave Of Darkness"# "Who By Fire" # "A Million Years" # "Through My Eyes" # "Dying In A Moment Of Splendor"... |
Triple X | Live |
| 1995 | Songs of Betrayal Songs of Betrayal -Track listing:# "E. 2nd St."# "Another Fifty Miles"# "This Forgotten Love " [1992]# "Solitude I"# "Forever"# "It Is Fear"# "Where Our Weakness Lies"# "Solitude II"# "Let the Darkness In"# "As Love Comes Tumbling"# "I Wonder Why"... |
Projekt Records | LP |
| 1994 | Human Drama Human Drama (album) -Track listing:# "It Is Fear"# "Breathe"# "Tired"# "Sad I Cry"# "Remember Well"# "Solitude "# "White River"# "The Waiting Hour "- External links :*... |
Projekt Records | EP |
| 1993 | Pinups | Triple X | LP |
| 1992 | The World Inside The World Inside (album) The World Inside is an album by Human Drama, released by Triple X in 1992. The album landed three videos, "Look into a Strangers Eyes", "Fascination and Fear" and "My Skin", onto Billboard's Top 40 Indie Video chart.-Track listing:... |
Triple X | LP |
| 1991 | Fascination and Fear / Fading Away Fascination and Fear / Fading Away Human Drama's Fascination and Fear was released by Triple X in 1991.... |
Triple X | Single |
| 1990 | This Tangled Web / Times Square This Tangled Web / Times Square Human Drama's This Tangled Web / Times Square was released by Triple X in 1991.... |
Triple X | Single |
| 1989 | Feel | RCA Records RCA Records RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label... |
LP |
| 1988 | Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death Hopes Prayers Dreams Heart Soul Mind Love Life Death by Human Drama was released by RCA Records in 1988.-Track listing:# "Old Man"# "Nothing I Judge"# "I Bleed for You"# "The Waiting Hour"... |
RCA Records | EP |
Compilation appearances
- Very Introspective Actually- A Pet Shop Boys Tribute - Human Drama "This Must Be The Place I've Waited Years To Leave"; Dancing Ferret Discs 2001.
- Orphee - Human Drama " A Single White Rose"; Projekt RecordsProjekt RecordsThis is the article for the record label. You might be looking for Pro-jekt, ProjeKct, Project Pitchfork, or Projekt RevolutionProjekt is a Brooklyn, New York-based independent record label specializing in gothic rock, ambient, ethereal, darkwave, shoegaze, dream-pop, and dark cabaret created by...
Compilation 2000. - Songs from the Wasteland: A Tribute to The Mission - Human Drama " Kingdom Come"; Re-Constriction RecordsRe-Constriction RecordsRe-Constriction Records was a division of Cargo Music basd in California. The label was founded in 1991 and headed by Chase, who was previously the Music Director at KCR, a student radio station on the campus of San Diego State University.-History:...
1999. - Death for Life A benefit compilation for AIDS research - Human Drama "Goodbye"; Mere Mortal Productions 1999.
- New Wave Goes To Hell - Human Drama "The Whole Of The Moon"; Cleopatra RecordsCleopatra RecordsCleopatra Records is a Los Angeles-based independent record label.- History :Founded in 1992 by Brian Perera, it specializes in gothic rock, hard rock, heavy metal and reissues of out-of-print music...
1996. - Scream The Compilation - Human Drama "Wave Of Darkness"; Geffen RecordsGeffen RecordsGeffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
1987.
Books
The book My Bag of Secrets (The Words of Human Drama)My Bag of Secrets (The Words of Human Drama)
Published in 1997, My Bag of Secrets is a compilation of Human Drama lyrics by Johnny Indovina. It also contains photos and commentary from Johnny Indovina and his fans....
contains lyrics, photos and commentary from Johnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina
Johnny Indovina is a singer, songwriter and producer. Indovina fronted the Underground/Goth band Human Drama from 1985 to 2005. As the primary songwriter, he produced eight albums, two EPs and a "Best of" collection...
and his fans. It was released in 1997.
See also
- Johnny IndovinaJohnny IndovinaJohnny Indovina is a singer, songwriter and producer. Indovina fronted the Underground/Goth band Human Drama from 1985 to 2005. As the primary songwriter, he produced eight albums, two EPs and a "Best of" collection...
- Mark BalderasMark BalderasMark Henry Balderas, born September 10, 1959 in Encino, California, was the keyboard player for the rock band Human Drama from 1986 to 1991 and again from 1993 to 2005.-Early life:...
- Sound Of The Blue Heart
- :pt:Carlo Bartolini - article in Portuguese Wikipedia