Videowest 1979 - Humans: "I Live in the City"

Director Joe Dea - Camera Wes Dorman - Editor Evelyn Messinger - Effects Bill Etra

[@andypiantanida6340]

How many times can I listen to this in my life & never get sick of it? I ALWAYS get goosebumps; I always bounce around. This song was my gateway into punk. Holy. Shit.

[@johnsouthern3692]

Still gives me the chills. I was 11 when it came out, but the Humans were gigantic in Santa Cruz, and this record captures the vibrancy of the New Wave when it hit Surf City better than any other track of the era. By a complete (but proud) coincidence I own the black telecaster custom showcased in this video... Bought it in 1988 from Guitar Showcase in Capitola CA. The guitar travelled the USA with me, and I know it went global with the Humans before I owned it... If that fretboard could talk...

[@andrewcameronbailey9959]

The drummer was Jerome Deupree, (John Mellencamp, Morphine et al). The track was recorded on a 2" 16-track machine at SuperSound, Monterey, CA. Engineered by Ken Peden. Produced by Andrew Bailey and The Humans. Our first venture into the studio! The video was done much later in SF.

[@mrmanagain]

Thanks for the info.

[@jochapat]

Cool, Where was SuperSound at in Monterey?

[@earlygail]

Andrew Cameron Bailey fucking outstanding- may be the most ass kicking track of the last 40 years

[@chopperwilson1073]

I found that song threw a friend in 6 th grade. Her mother was or had dated one of the band members. Im 51 now and it still got teeth. It was and is a great song. Melodic punk. Blessings Chopdaddy...

[@mintfriends1102]

Awesome! I had the Surf City Underground album with this song on it. My friend knew the base player, and we got to see them at the Santa Cruz Vets Hall once....(I believe, or maybe at the Catalyst...so many shows !!

[@Dillinger86]

KROQ played the hell out of this great song.

[@stevendphoto]

That's where I heard it... !

[@smashism]

One of my favorite songs of all time -- it should have been a huge hit

[@lastcre8iveicon]

Amen!

[@andypiantanida6340]

Agreed. ✊🏼

[@dougwelch7813]

Oh wow, old timey Market Street. How I miss it...

[@jonathanmueller952]

Gosh, thanks for the post! The Humans were a wonderful live band hailing from Santa Cruz. In the late 70's into the early 80's they even had a big following in L.A.

[@Johns805]

The Humans were quite popular and played frequently here in Santa Cruz in the late 70s. I know the group recorded an LP album,....I gave up looking for it on CD years ago.....Of course "I Live In The City" is on te playlist at my internet radio station.....

[@l.landis2175]

I received a personal copy of their VHS video for the album from Sterling when it first came out. Other than Duran Duran it was the first concept video I'd ever come across. I had it for years and played it often. I wish I had made copies because I loaned it to a friend and he left it on his dashboard.

[@robgatcombe1027]

I just found their original LP in great condition.

[@mattsambrano3786]

@@robgatcombe1027 ....priceless Treasure....kids today will never know the joy of searching for a rare song or album and finally stumbling upon it at a thrift store or small Mom and Pop record shop in an off the beaten path city...Happy you found the Album....I live in the city was my personal introduction to New Wave when I was14 years old andI never recovered.....lol

[@ayahuascayage]

I remember participating in this video back in '79, put on by Video West. I'm one of the dancers in the club. I think the nightclub scene was done in a club on Howard Street, or maybe Folsom, on a Saturday afternoon. Or maybe it was at Video West. Anyway, it was great fun, and the video came out really well. This was years before MTV videos.

[@JoeDea]

Shot in the basement of Videowest

[@videodrome5]

@@JoeDea please post SVT price of sex and the Offs 624803 videos

[@earlygail]

this song kicks so much ass

[@peteschneider2221]

Saw them with Squeeze in 1980 at the "Whiskey". Still play this on my guitar.. Great lyrics, simple tune.. FUN

[@fhauser58]

Dude, I was there too! The Humans were an awesome opener. And Jools Holland was so entertaining with his cocky banter.

[@kenbewick45]

@@fhauser58 I was also there!! Loved the Humans shows back then. Still one of my favorite bands.

[@Polacerbic]

Thank you San Francisco!!!!! how did I go so long without this classic??? it's like only yesterday..!!

[@muckeypup]

love this vid..when I was 18 heard this and was captured!

[@ussrwrestling]

very good new wave "one-hit wonder"!!!

[@CreepingBrutus]

CLASSIC

[@josephkissel6062]

This is fantastic!

[@bluecellopane]

Sterling Storm vocals, John Anderson lead guitar, Eric Gies bass. Sorry I can't remember the drummers name. Santa Cruz. The Catalyst. The Swan/Heavenly Goose.

[@SCROGY]

Jerome Dupree from Morphine.

[@stevendphoto]

Always liked this song, still have the 45...!

[@RedStarGOSJ]

I remember first seeing this on VideoWest on a Friday night after returning from Winchester SkatePark. I raced to Tower Campbell the next day and bought the gatefold 7". One of the greatest Power Pop/Punk/New Wave songs and videos EVER. Those were GREAT times. (-:

[@chrisburns6063]

From Monterey area, saw them open for Gary Myrick and the destroyed it !!!!

[@sirdarklust]

I picked up my copy when this was new. It was a great time in 1979 and 1980 when punk was dying. Somehow there were a tone of great singles coming out in that era.

[@oliverpura9876]

Sterling Storm plus support. They played at the Catalyst about twice a month and always sold out. I saw them at least ten times.

[@timriley4543]

Great song then and it hasn't aged a bit...

[@alexkonya]

I was hoping someone would post this!

[@danacolley1579]

This is awesome I've heard Jerome talk about the Humans great to finally get to see and hear!

[@davidonion4150]

First heard this at 13 yrs old. Found it on I/R/S/ Greatest Hits Vol 2&3 I think.

[@andypiantanida6340]

Yes! ✊🏼

[@GavinOBrien22]

The Bay Area music scene was at its peak then. This song was played A LOT on KFJC when this single came out, and we played it at Winchester SkatePark daily. Great track!

[@kellylavender6092]

When they played the Catalyst the drummer was Jimmy Norris. Have the album signed by all the guys! Great times in Santa Cruz.

[@l.landis2175]

Agreed. I still miss those days. Jimmy's ex, Becky described him as a walking metronome. Good analogy.

[@andypiantanida6340]

Could you...um...leave it for me in your will? 😉

[@maynardsmoreland]

My God, you're right! It is her! I've wondered what her name is for over thirty years.

[@beezey01]

During the time period in Santa Cruz when they were recording and performing, they were just about my favorite band in Santa Cruz. The article I wrote about them for the Santa Cruz Good Times ended up being edited for the EP release of this tune. The EP also has the tunes Play, Tracy and Pipeline. Eric the bass player is one of my Facebook friends and I have seen Jim Norris the 2nd drummer many times over the years since. Just a great local Santa Cruz band.

[@lastcre8iveicon]

I was mad about this song, Play and Tracy! Still am. Those were good days in Santa Cruz.

[@toddb3226]

Funny thing is, I actually still have the Promo album from the Good Times days in my collection.. Jay would let my mom bring them home all the time. It's how I got to know the band (I was still a kid.. lol)

[@andypiantanida6340]

AWESOME. ✊🏼

[@alexandreaiverson5266]

This song is about me.

[@mrmanagain]

I love this! Had the 4 song 45 rpm. 1979 was such a good year for music. 😆

[@mrmanagain]

I meant 7"

[@jimsimm11]

@@mrmanagain I had it too. Wish I still did. I don't know what happened to it

[@jimmystagger]

This is terrific, thank you. I have this song on a "Best of IRS" compilation, never knew it had a video for it.

[@earlygail]

That’s the first place I heard it too. Stumbled upon this video many years later.

[@andypiantanida6340]

Yeah. "IRS Greatest Hit, Volume II." Phenomenal.

[@tomwilson8607]

reminds me of The Tubes,,, great shit this ... xxx

[@travisr.9789]

like the san diego, radio rhyme....

[@LarzGustafsson]

Catchy tune.

[@fabiobrighenti3849]

Mitica gli anni più fuori legge della mia vita

[@stevepoptones6675]

I had this 45 when it first came out. It is still a great song and fun video.

[@lastcre8iveicon]

I still have the 45...

[@gogamimov]

В натуре предМорфин

[@TOMGUIDO66]

The shot of the pro-Khomeni demonstrators at 2:47 is priceless.

[@Ann_Dromeda]

Nothing new under the sun.

[@tikitortured]

I had this single (ep) back in the day. Great song. Their version of Pipeline rocks too.

[@Dillinger86]

the woman at 0:53 looks like the woman in the Donnie Iris video (Ah Leah)

[@AlexBowe]

This song makes me want to move to SF

[@MusicDementia]

KROQ!!!

[@gsmarin1]

Epic Humans!