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Human Nature's Toby Allen On Bringing 'Jukebox' Home

For the inner teenage girl among us, they never really left.
A national tour is set for February 2017.
Sony
A national tour is set for February 2017.

After seven years performing in Las Vegas, Australia's legendary pop group Human Nature have landed on home soil.

The occasion marks the launch of their latest album, "'Gimme Some Lovin' Jukebox Vol II", the follow-up to their chart-topping record "Jukebox" and the announcement of a national tour commencing in February.

"It's been over a year since we've been back [to Australia] but it always feels like home when we land," Toby Allen, Human Nature's lead vocalist told The Huffington Post Australia.

Allen's first pit stop? The cafe inside the airport terminal.

"Literally every single time I step foot off that plane I'll get a coffee. It might not be the best but even that is better than most of the coffee that we get over in the States," Allen said.

Despite missing a good cup of joe, Las Vegas is now home for Allen along with band mates Andrew, Mike and Phil.

The four-piece have carved a firm spot in Sin City's entertainment precinct with their headline Motown tribute show captivating audiences from all over the world since 2009.

But the Vegas shows are just one chapter of the band's long journey. Indeed, the world first learnt of Human Nature 26 years ago.

Back then they were known as "The 4 Trax" -- high school friends who shared a love of music -- just years away from being plastered on the walls of teenage girls' rooms.

It was the '90s and boy bands ruled the world.

All black everything, attending the TV Week Logie Awards April in 2001.
Getty Images
All black everything, attending the TV Week Logie Awards April in 2001.

In 1996, they supported Michael Jackson on the Australian leg of his HIStory World Tour off the back of their hit album "Telling Everybody".

What came next was a duet with John Farnham ("Every Time You Cry") and mega fame.

Since then, the band has dabbled in solo projects but they always seem to come back to Human Nature. And successfully so, especially in the case of Motown.

There's no denying these four Aussie guys have held onto the magic formula that first catapulted them to fame, but after more than two decades, understandably there has been change within the group.

Allen, who is the father of three-year-old twins, Roxanne and Harvey, with his husband, actor Darren Weller, admits parenthood certainly changed his outlook on a lot of things.

"I've always loved music and loved performing with the guys but the idea that you've got these young people who are reliant on you for things -- it has to change the dynamic somehow," Allen said.

"I probably work a little harder now, it was easier maybe not to previously, but I want the best for them. There's another sense of responsibility and wanting to give them everything they could ever dream of," Allen said.

Involving his children in his work is super important for Allen, who said they've come to countless shows in Vegas.

With Oprah Winfrey at Federation Square in Melbourne, 2010.
Getty Images
With Oprah Winfrey at Federation Square in Melbourne, 2010.

"When anybody asks them 'what daddy does at work' they'll break out in "Stop In The Name Of Love" and do the moves and everything," Allen said.

Though, since coming to the new Jukebox shows (where "Stop In The Name Of Love" doesn't feature) he's been met with vocal disappointment from his children.

"I think it's going to take them a minute to latch onto their new favourite song," Allen explains.

Still, knowing the band's track record, it won't be long 'til they'll be dancing in their seats again.

"Gimme Some Lovin': Jukebox II" is out July 22.

HUMAN NATURE "THE ULTIMATE JUKEBOX TOUR" 2017 tickets will be available to the general public at ticketek.com.au | ticketmaster.com.au (Hobart only) from 12pm noon, Friday July 22nd.

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