The centrepiece single by Derek Pellicci and John Boylan, God Please Help the USA, reflects the global dismay and concern about current USA politics.
20 March 2026
Derek Pellicci’s solo album Welcome to the Human Race marks a significant and deeply personal chapter in the career of a musician long celebrated as a founding member of Little River Band. The album presents 14 original songs and reveals a side of Pellicci that many listeners may not have fully encountered before: his voice as a reflective songwriter rather than just a drummer.
The record draws on material developed quietly over decades. Many of the songs began life as poems, later evolving into fully realised compositions that explore themes such as modern technology, spirituality, conflict, and the search for human connection. This gives the album a thoughtful, almost philosophical tone, with titles like Modern Times, The Booker Prize, and God Please Help the USA hinting at its broad social and cultural scope.
“This new chapter represents an expansion of my past,” Derek said. “It is grounded in experience, curiosity and the endless possibilities of storytelling through song.”
The album moves beyond the polished harmony rock associated with his earlier work, favouring a more eclectic and contemporary feel. Yet it remains grounded in storytelling, with each song reflecting lived experience and observation.
Hear the single and the full album below
The single: GOD PLEASE HELP THE USA
Under the moniker The Hadley Brothers, Pellicci teams up with his long-time friend and iconic producer John Boylan to release this single. God Please Help the USA is one of the most overtly topical tracks on the album and it stands out as Derek’s clearest attempt at social commentary.
He wrote the track as a direct response to the current political and cultural climate in the United States, reflecting concern rather than outright anger. At its core, the song functions almost like a modern protest piece – but in a reflective, almost pleading tone rather than a confrontational one. The title itself signals that it’s less about taking sides and more about expressing unease at division, instability, and the loss of shared values. That fits with the broader themes of the album, where Pellicci often explores humanity’s struggles in a rapidly changing world.
The single, God Please Help the USA:
Lyrics:
I can’t remember being more disturbed
And the feeling of resentment that it stirred
The images laid bare before our eyes
Then contradicted by official lies
A young mother, murdered, in her car
Her family and her neighbours torn apart
A lawman passing judgement with his gun
Yes, this is what America’s become
Click for full lyrics
The full album:
Track list:
Under The Same Roof
Like Aquarians Do
Hearts And Flowers
Pay Dirt In A Diamond Mine
Ground Floor Flat
Little Man
Back To Bellac
Green Barrie And The Engine Room
Love Is Where Peace Finds A Home
God Please Help The USA
What’s My Name
The Booker Prize
Modern Times
Always Empty
The album Welcome to the Human Race is also available from most of the usual streaming and download platforms.
Songs by Little River Band on Bang a Gong:
Curiosity (Killed the Cat)
Everyday of My Life
Help Is On Its Way
Home on Monday
It’s a Long Way There
Lonesome Loser
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