Let's get acquainted, so firstly let's get this out the way...

HUMANITARIANISM - DEFINITION

humanitarian /hj,manı'tεrıɘn/ ● adj. concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare. ● n. a humanitarian person.

"In its most general form, humanitarianism is an ethic of kindness, benevolence and sympathy extended universally and impartiality to all human beings. Humanitarianism has been an evolving concept historically, but universally is a common element in its evolution. No distinction is to be made in the face of human suffering or abuse on grounds of gender, tribal, caste, religious or national divisions."

NOUN
1. a person devoted to promoting the welfare of humanity, esp. through the elimination of pain and suffering.
2. an adherent of humanitarianism (sense).
3. one who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist.

ADJECTIVE
1. helping humanity.
2: of humanitarianism.
3: of, relating to, or characteristic of a humanitarian or humanitarianism.

Chronologically, The Humanitarians' story begins like this...

John had gone into the studio as a solo artist to record some demos with Malcolm Toft, the owner of The Music Mill. Malcolm has worked with Tony Visconti and T-Rex as well as being part of the team that helped to engineer 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles.

At that time, John was working under the name Izzy Oatman, which is an amalgamation the names of his twins Isaac and Otis. He was recording songs that he had written, and which would eventually become a staple of The Humanitarians' material.

John still uses the name Izzy Oatman for material which he records on a solo basis, but he dropped the name as he felt that Matt was contributing lots of great ideas for the songs. John says: “Matt was having a lot of input into the creative side of our material, and when Geoff joined, it started to feel like a real band. So I decided to drop the Izzy Oatman aspect from the band's name".

In its first, embryonic stage The Humanitarians as we know them today were tentatively formed in late 2003, when John was selling a guitar and put an advert in the local paper. Matt was in the market for a guitar and answered the advert, and the two met.

John asked Matt if he would consider joining the band, then named 'Izzy Oatman and The Humanitarians', and thankfully Matt agreed and started to learn the songs in rehearsals and at home.

At that the time the band consisted of John, or Izzy, Brian Clark on drums and Becky Clifton on bass. After some fruitful rehearsals, they eventually played their first gig together in the summer of 2004 at an outdoor festival in Paignton.

Then in 2005, Becky, the band's bass player, left the band and the remaining members began rehearsing at The Town House in Torquay. A chance meeting with Geoff Dalley saw him become the band's new bass player.

Another addition in 2005 was Beth Phillips, who joined the band to play keyboards. The band then played some midweek gigs at The Town House as a thank you for the rehearsal space, playing in front of the pub's toilets. Always a special memory for any musician.

Then in June 2006 the band was shaken to the core when John was involved in a head-on collision in Torquay, from which he was fortunate to survive. Two cars were racing each other, when one overtook on a bend. John was coming the other way and had no chance to get out of the way, as the speeding car ploughed into his vehicle.

He was cut out of the car by Torbay's finest fireman, and was trapped in the vehicle for a total of three hours. He is lucky to be alive. John suffered two broken ribs, a large wound on his right cheek, a huge flesh-wound on his left knee, a broken right ankle, his right tibia was also broken, his right kneecap was shattered, his thighbone was broken so badly that even now in 2011 after a number of operations, is is just starting to recover.

That recovery has only been possible due to the insurance claim John was able to make and which has enabled him to have private care with a top orthopaedic consultant. Music became very much part of John's therapy as he set out on the long road to recovery.

He has written many songs and used his time productively to record material and promote the band.The band went into the studio in 2007 to start recording the debut album 'Born'.

Brian Clark, who had been the band's drummer from day one, was involved in the initial stages of recording of the band's debut album 'Born' in 2007, but he left before the project was completed. As a result, Dave Penna took the drum throne and completed the rest of the tracks on the album in the studio.

Dave stayed with the band for just over a year after the album had been completed. Beth also departed the outfit in 2008, as she set off to go travelling, and again the band's evolution continued apace.

The album 'Born' which was their CD debut was recorded over the duration of 2008 and ran over in to 2009. Three tracks were laid down at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, where the Arctic Monkeys recorded their debut album. The Editors, The Darkness and Gun have also recorded at Chapel Studios over the years. The three tracks were produced by Nigel Stonier, who has also worked with the likes of Fairport Convention, Thea Gilmore, Martha Wainwright and The Waterboys.

The album project was completed at The Music Mill studios. The album was recorded over the duration of 2008 and ran over in to 2009. Then, just before the album was released, Dave left the band to attend university just before the album was released, so Hayden was recruited for drum-related duties, joining the band in June 2009.

In all their time together the band have rehearsed in a lot of different places, including skittle alleys, back rooms, pubs, function rooms, friend's houses, friend's cellars and even in the garage studio of their friend, Matt Wilcocks. In fact there are some early recordings which were gleaned from these 'garage sessions', including demos of the first album with Brian on drums.

A few times the band also recorded with Tim Black at Rooftop Studios, producing more demos. At the end of the day the journey that The Humanitarians have been on has, like so many other bands before them been a topsy-turvy one. But they have so many people to thank for helping them continue on that journey forward.

A lot of friends have helped them out and supported them along the way. And likewise, families have been incredibly supportive and understanding in so many ways.

The album was finally released in May of 2010, with very little in the way of pomp and ceremony as well as a distinct lack of publicity. As a result, the band took the decision to split from their management company Movement In Sound and have been self-managing ever since. That brings us up to date to the tail end of 2011 ,the second Album "No Law" is currently in production and the band is very excited at the way its sounding .Plans are to release in 2012 ,the exact date to be announced shortly.

John was born in London, and as his mum plays the piano, he was forced to have piano lessons as a boy and to sing in the church choir.

He has three brothers and two sisters, and music was always in the house when he was younger as his sister was a full-on hippy. Then, later on John's brother became a DJ.

John reckons he has a bit of a checkered past and a bit bit of a wasted youth, including some close calls with the police.

He was well into the punk and mod scene, going on scooter runs all over the country.

John has worked in various dead end jobs, but while he was doing so was always writing lyrics, and aged 18 he started messing around on the guitar.

The first band John was in was a punk band called The Passengers, who did their first gig at a church hall.

Meanwhile some of his friends from school were starting a band named Dog Town Rhythm. John signed up with them and spent five years with them and in doing so learnt to play a lot better.

The band did a tour of Europe and played all the typical showcase gigs like The 100 Club and The Mean Fiddler.

Eventually John became disillusioned with the band and wanted to front his own band, so he moved to Devon and formed The Weave with two long-term friends.

The Weave played a lot of gigs in and around Devon and had quite a large following. John then had a period of time playing solo gigs, all the while writing better and better songs.

His next band were Evolver, and again they played a lot of gigs and festivals, bringing John yet more experience.

John currently lives in Torquay with his partner and three kids, and his musical influences include John Lennon, The Clash, David Bowie, Beck, Queens Of The Stone Age, Gorillaz and plenty more besides.

John's ambitions are to get The Humanitarians' music out to a wider audience, to tour and to make some great records.



Photograph © Kevern Photography 2010

Tell us about your musical set up...

I play a Fender Strat  and a Les Paul vintage through a Fender blues 'Deville' valve amp.

I also use Martin and Takamine Acoustics for some recording.

A few questions for John...

DO YOU THINK CLOWNS ARE CUTE OR SCARY?
Clowns are most definitely scary. I've read the book 'It' by Stephen King.

WHAT WAS THE LAST FILM YOU WATCHED?
Watched 'Hannibal' last night. The scene where he feeds the FBI agent his own brain was really quite freaky. BROWN

SAUCE OR TOMATO KETCHUP?
Ketchup with burger and fries. A right treat.

SHOWERS OR BATHS?
Showers definitely every time for me. Hot baths spin me out, plus you're lying in your own dirt!

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF A VENDING MACHINE STEALS YOUR MONEY?
I would hit it, kick it and swear loudly, but I wouldn't complain to the management as I'm far too British.

Matt is the band's lead guitarist and backing vocalist, but there is a lot more to the boy than that simple description perhaps suggests.

In fact Matt can be credited on a number of fronts, including backing vocals and guitar, banjo, mandolin, tin whistle and assorted weird noises which can often engender fear in an audience.

Originally from Chippenham in Wiltshire, Matt was given his first guitar by his grandad aged eight, and he played his first gig at the tender age of 12. Since that day, Matt has done very little but music and musical-related activites.

His influences include Neil Young, Super Furry Animals, Ween, Townes Van Zandt, New Model Army, Sublime, Son House, and Creedence Clearwater Revival among other things.

In the future Matt would love to play some big festivals and gig around the world. He has an addiction to chilli peppers and flannel shirts, which no doctor has yet managed to cure.



Picture © Kevern Photography 2010

Tell us about your musical set up...

I mostly I use a Strat' for gigs. I got it off of John originally, that's how I met him to start with. Then he asked me to be in this band, as for the guitar, it's a bit of a Frankenstein affair, as it's made up of different parts from different guitars. It's got this Dimarzio pick up that might be a hot rod/rail, but no one really knows for sure. It's got a boost switch on the guitar that freaks out certain amps and desks, and some of the frets are a bit knackered but I just sort of work a bit harder with them which probably doesn't help.

It was blue when I got it but after nearly ten years I thought it deserved a bit of a once over, so now it's nearly back to the wood with a new off-colour pick guard and new wiring, thanks to my uncle Paul. Come to think of itI still owe him seven quid for the pick guard.

My amp for live is just a a cheap Marshall Combo with the FX Mix dial missing I really want something else... I use various effects, but mostly it's pretty much the sound of the guitar. Maybe I'll use a phaser or octave pedal on a couple of songs, wah wah pedal on a couple of songs, I use metal and glass 'bottleneck' slides on a couple of songs. Also, quite a few of the songs have capos to get certain voicings. I've got a loopstation for a few of the weird intros, outros and interludes between songs, which I occasionally send the guitar through if its getting weird live. That's pretty much it.

A few questions for Matt...

IF YOU GOT STUCK IN A LIFT WITH SOMEONE FAMOUS, WHO WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?
Someone famous who fixes lifts.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ARRESTED? IF SO WHY?
Never thanks.

USE ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF.
Dull.

DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS?
I've always been around animals. My family have always had whippets and greyhounds. As soon as I find somewhere properly to live, they are the sort of dogs I will get too. They are all generally a bit lazy and at least half mad. I can relate to this in an animal.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FILM AND WHY?
At the moment, my favourite film is probably 'Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story'. I've watched it way too many times.
It's hard to pick just one favourite. The films I've watched way too many times in my life are, Wayne's World 1 and 2, Withnail and I, The Big Lebowski, O Brother Where art thou?, Dead Man, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, There are more too. So I guess the simple answer would be, "I don't have a favourite."

Geoff is the band's bass guitarist and the wise old man of the outfit.

Here's just a little bit of background information on the man himself.

Geoff's musical start in life began at the tender age of 14, when he was asked by a friend if he would like to join their band as the bass player.

Geoff says "they were all school friends and it seemed like a good idea at the time. The only trouble was I had never picked up a guitar before let alone play one.

"After a lot of practice I was able to play reasonably well and in the end we did a few gigs in Exmouth, though of course we were too young to play pubs.

At the age of 16 Geoff bought his first proper guitar. A Hofner violin bass. "I thought i was Paul McCartney at the time.

In his early twenties, Geoff dropped out of the music scene when he got married and settled down. He and his wife emigrated to Australia, but came back to the UK after three years with the first of their two children.

Geoff's interest in music was rekindled after a 25-year break when he met up with an old band mate. From that point on he picked up from where he'd left off and played in several bands, gaining more experience all the time.

Then in 2005 he replied to an advert in the Free Ads paper. 'Bass player required with view to recording all original music.'

And that's as they say was how he joined The Humanitarians, and although there heve been a few different changes in band members, we are today solid musically and enjoying the journey.



Photograph © Kevern Photography 2010

Tell us about your musical set up...

The bass rig I use is a transistor bass head by EA Audio. I've got 2000 watts maximum output through a four twelve Mark bass cabinet and a Zoom 506 bass pedal for tonal effects.

A few questions for Geoff...

WHAT WAS THE LAST BOOK YOU READ?
Reading is a way for me to get lost in or caught up in someone else's life and times, that is if i stay awake long enough for me to take it in. My favourites are biographies. Anything on the English Civil War period and mystery novels. And if you're not yawning yet, my last book was the Last Templer by Raymond Khoury.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE YOUR WORST HABIT?
My worst habit is punctuality I guess. I never seem to get anywhere on time.

IF YOU COULD PLAY ONE MUSIC FESTIVAL, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE?
Being a bass player with a great band I would like a crack at a major festival like Glastonbury - mud and all.

DOGS OR CATS?
A dog is for life and a cat,well they just need servants. I love 'em all.

HAVE YOU GOT ANY ANTI-SOCIAL HABITS?
Of course not! Alright, I fall asleep in boring company.

Hayden is the band's tub-thumper, and he likes to hit them hard.

He joined the band in June 2009 after receiving a phone call from the band about his availability, and he has settled in very well and added an energetic dimension to the band's live performances.

Over the years Hayden has been in a number of local and original bands. He bought his first kit when he was eighteen from a local second-hand shop, and has never looked back. Self taught, he doesn't consider himself to be a very technical exponent of the art, but makes up for what he lacks in that department with lots of tight, energetic and dynamic performances from the drum throne.

A born and bred Torquinian, Hayden is also a committed and dyed-in-the-wool Torquay United supporter and is a former chairman of Torquay United Supporters' Trust.

As for influences, or at least likes Hayden very much admires the talents of Stewart Copeland, Mark Brzezicki, Tre Cool and Harry James of Thunder.

Hayden says: "I like my music with a bit of bol**cks really, and I like drummers who are simple, straighforward and direct. But I do like all kinds and genres of music. I operate with a simple idiom. If I like it, then I like it regardless of who it is.

Hayden is looking forward to seeing the band move forward together with excellent live performances and building on the impressive reputation they have already built for themselves.



Photograph © Kevern Photography 2010

Tell us about your musical set up...

Like me, it's relatively simple. I play a Pearl 800 Export , and I love it. I've had it for many, many years, and it's been a great servant to me.

The snare came as with the kit and it does take some abuse from me. I have the skin quite tight, and I damp its ring with a cloth damper over the rim and onto the head.

I have a mixture of Paiste and Sabian cymbals. The hi-hats are Paiste and I have a very head Sabian ride cymbal. And I use Le Blond drum cases to keep it from getting scratched and damaged.

I use Vic Firth sticks and Remo heads in the main.

I also have a Roland TD 9 kit, which I also love. It's great for keeping my hand in and I play it home using headphones without annoying anyone or bugging the neighbours. I bought it after going into a music shop for a couple of pairs of sticks, and came out £1,500.00 lighter.

I've never used it live, but I wouldn't mind trying it in a live situation. However, all I've read about using it live would suggest that the whole process is rather fraught with difficulties. It seems that getting the sound right isn't at all easy. Maybe one day I'll get to try it live.

We recorded the demo for the new album 'No Law' using the TD9, and it wasn't too bad. But we felt that we needed to use the whole acoustic set-up to give the album the dynamics it needs.

A few questions for Hayden...

ANY SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS?
Not really. I still play a little bit of football, but I have never really ripped up any trees. My head knows what I need to do when I'm playing football, but that message doesn't seem to reach my feet. I've scored a few hat-tricks in my time thoug

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SMELL?
Oooh, so many. Fresh bread is always a favourite, but fish and chips has to be up there too. You'll see that they're all based around food though.

TEA OR COFFEE?
Tea mainly, certainly first thing in the morning. I'm quite ambilvalent though really. I'm not overly passionate about one of the other. Milky coffee is an occasional treat.

WHAT'S UNDER YOUR BED?
I dread to think. A lot of dust I should imagine, but also an old rug I no longer use, a holdall and my football kit bag. I suspect that there are a few dirty socks which have been kicked off on a drunken late night. Perhaps I should get under there and have a closer look.

YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK?
Blimey, what a question. Lager on social basis, but Diet Coca-Cola is also a favourite. It's just so refreshing isn't it? I hate Coca-Cola though.