Men at Work
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Men at Work | |
|---|---|
| Origin | St. Kilda, Australia |
| Genres | Rock, new wave, pop rock |
| Years active | 1979–1986 1996–present |
| Labels | Columbia, Sony |
| Members | |
| Colin Hay Greg Ham | |
| Past members | |
| Ron Strykert Jerry Speiser John Rees | |
Contents
|
History
Origins of the group
Colin Hay emigrated to Australia in 1967 from Scotland with his family. In 1978, he formed a duo with Ron Strykert, which expanded with the addition of drummer Jerry Speiser and Australian progressive rock keyboard player Greg Sneddon.They formed an unnamed four-piece group that would later morph into Men at Work. The band's first experience in the recording studio was recording the music to Riff Raff, a low-budget stage musical Sneddon had worked on.Sneddon soon left, to be replaced in late 1979 by saxophonist/flautist/keyboardist Greg Ham. Bassist John Rees completed the band.International success (1981-1983)
In 1981, Columbia Records signed Men at Work. Their second single, "Who Can It Be Now?", reached #1 on the Australian chart in August 1981. A subsequent single (a re-worked version of "Down Under") and their first album (Business as Usual) also went to #1. The album also debuted at #1 in New Zealand.Despite its strong Australian showing, and having an American producer (Peter McIan), Business as Usual was twice rejected by Columbia's parent company in the United States. Thanks to the persistence of the band's management, the album was eventually released in the USA and the UK six months after its Australian release. Men at Work toured the USA to promote the album, supporting Fleetwood Mac.
In October 1982, "Who Can It Be Now?" hit #1 in the USA. Then, in November of that year, Business as Usual began a 15-week run at #1 on the US album chart. While "Who Can It Be Now?" was still in the top ten, the second single, "Down Under" was released. It entered the charts at #79; ten weeks later, it was #1. By January 1983, Men at Work had the top album and single in both the USA and the UK - a feat never achieved previously by an Australian act. "Be Good Johnny" also received moderate airplay, particularly in the USA.
Men at Work won a Grammy Award, winning Best New Artist for 1983 ahead of Asia, Jennifer Holliday, The Human League and Stray Cats. This was the first for an Australian recording act.
That same year, Canada awarded them a Juno Award for "International LP of the Year."
The band soon released their second album Cargo. It had been finished in the summer of 1982, but held for release due to the phenomenal success of the band's debut. The new album went to #1. The international market, where Business as Usual was still riding high, kept the album at #3 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album produced three chart singles in the USA: "Overkill" [#3], "It's a Mistake" [#6], and "Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive" [#28]. The band toured the world extensively in 1983.
Two Hearts; break-up (1984-1986)
In 1984, the band took a long break as members pursued other interests and recovered from the two years of constant touring they'd done in support of both albums. At the end of that period, Jerry Speiser and John Rees were advised by management that they were no longer members of the band. The remaining members (Hay, Ham and Strykert) recorded a third album Two Hearts which peaked at #50 on the chart. Although four songs were released as singles to promote the album (lead single "Everything I Need", "Man With Two Hearts", "Maria", and "Hard Luck Story"), only the first song charted in the US, and that only at #47. The record relied heavily on drum programming and synthesisers and reduced the presence of Ham's saxophone, giving it a different feel than the band's first two records.Strykert left the group during the album's production.Hay and Ham hired new bandmates to tour behind the record, including jazz/fusion bassist Jeremy Alsop, progressive rock drummer Mark Kennedy, and guitarist James Black, who respectively play on seven, eight and one of the ten tracks on Two Hearts. Soon after, third guitarist Colin Bayley was added to the band's touring lineup, and Kennedy was replaced by prodigious young drummer Chad Wackerman. Australian singers Kate Ceberano and Renee Geyer also worked and performed live with the group during this period as guests.
Men at Work performed three songs for the 1985 Oz for Africa concert (part of the global Live Aid program) - "Maria", "Overkill", and an unreleased song called "The Longest Night". It was broadcast in Australia (on both Seven Network and Nine Network) and on MTV in the US. "Maria" and "Overkill" were also broadcast by American Broadcasting Company (ABC) during their Live Aid telecast.
Ham left during the band's time touring behind the album. The final Men at Work performances in the 1980s found Australian jazz saxophonist Paul Williamson replacing Ham. By early 1986, the band was defunct, and Hay was working on his first solo album, Looking for Jack, which would feature participation from Alsop and Wackerman.
Reunion (1996-present)
In 1996, after a ten-year absence, Hay and Ham reunited under the Men at Work moniker to tour South America. They had enjoyed strong fan support in this continent during their heyday, and demands for Men at Work concerts persisted prior to Hay and Ham's decision to reform. The new lineup also featured guitarist Simon Hosford from Hay's solo band, along with bassist Stephen Hadley and drummer John Watson. This tour culminated in the Brazilian release of a live CD Brazil '96 in 1997. The album was subsequently released worldwide in 1998 as 'Brazil' with a bonus studio song "The Longest Night", the first Men at Work studio track since Two Hearts.The band toured various corners of the world throughout from 1998-2000. The lineup for these tours varied greatly, occasionally including Rick Grossman of the Hoodoo Gurus on bass, among numerous other touring musicians.
Men at Work performed "Down Under" at the closing ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, alongside Paul Hogan of Crocodile Dundee fame. The group has been mostly inactive in recent years, although Hay and Ham still perform on occasion as Men at Work with guest musicians. In February 2009, they performed "Down Under" at the Australia Unites Victorian Bushfire Appeal Telethon.
Copyright lawsuit and controversy
In February 2010, Larrikin Music Publishing won a case against the group arising from the uncredited appropriation of "Kookaburra", originally written in 1934 by Marion Sinclair and for which they owned the publishing rights, as the flute line in the song "Down Under".The Australian music-themed TV quiz "Spicks and Specks" had suggested that "Down Under" contained Kookaburra. Larrikin then filed suit and had demanded between 40% and 60% of the previous six years of earnings from the song.In February 2010, the Australian judge ruled that "Down Under" did contain a flute riff based on "Kookaburra" but stipulated that neither was it necessarily the hook nor a substantial part of the hit song (Colin Hay wrote the song years before the flute riff was added by a later member of the band).In July 2010 a judge ruled that Larrikin should be paid 5% of past (since 2002) and future profits.Other projects
Hay maintains a successful solo career and plays with Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. Strykert lives in Los Angeles, continues to play music and released his first solo album titled Paradise in September 2009. He has expressed some resentment towards Hay, mainly over royalties. Ham has remained musically active and currently plays sax with the Melbourne-based group The Nudist Funk Orchestra. Rees is now a music teacher in Melbourne.Band members
Current
- Colin Hay – vocals, rhythm (1978–1986, 1996–present)
- Greg Ham – keyboards, vocals, saxophone, harmonica, flute (1979–1985, 1996–present)
Former
- Jeremy Alsop – bass, backing vocals (1985–1986)
- Rodrigo Aravena – bass, backing vocals (2000)
- Colin Bayley – guitar, backing vocals (1985–1986)
- James Black – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (1985–1986)
- Tony Floyd – drums (1997–1998)
- Rick Grossman – bass, backing vocals (1998–2000)
- Stephen Hadley – bass, backing vocals (1996–1998, 2001)
- Simon Hosford – guitar, backing vocals (1996–1998, 1999–2001)
- Mark Kennedy – drums (1985)
- Peter Maslen – drums (1998)
- Heta Moses – drums (2000)
- John Rees – bass, backing vocals (1979–1984)
- James Ryan—guitar, backing vocals (1998)
- Jerry Speiser – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1979–1984)
- Ron Strykert – guitar, bass, vocals (1978–1985)
- Warren Trout – drums (2001)
- Chad Wackerman – drums, backing vocals (1985–1986)
- John Watson – drums (1996–1997)
- Paul Williamson – saxophone, keyboards, backing vocals (1985–1986)
Discography
- 1981 Business as Usual
- 1983 Cargo
- 1985 Two Hearts
Guest appearances
- Colin Hay has made three guest appearances on Scrubs as 'Troubadour' on "My Overkill", season 2 episode 1, singing "Overkill","My Hard Labor", season 7 episode 2, singing "Down Under" and season 8 "My Finale"
- Colin Hay made a guest appearance on "The Larry Sanders Show"
- Greg Ham sang their hit Helpless Automaton on the Oprah series in 2002
- Colin Hay performed "Down Under" on FOX News Channel for Fox & Friends' "80s Weekend".
- Colin Hay Performed "Overkill" on the Bob & Tom TV Show on 28 April 2009
- Colin Hay performed "Down Under" and, "Who Can it be Now" on Don't Forget the Lyrics on the Fox network 5 June 2009
- Jerry Speiser guest appeared on the Frost track, 'You and Me' receiving hi-rotation on Melbourne's Nova 100 in 2003 and SBS Television.
Who Can It Be Now?
Men At Work
Colin HayWho can it be knocking at my door?
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
Can't you see that it's late at night?
I'm very tired, and I'm not feeling right.
All I wish is to be alone;
Stay away, don't you invade my home.
Best off if you hang outside,
Don't come in - I'll only run and hide.
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be knocking at my door?
Make no sound, tip-toe across the floor.
If he hears, he'll knock all day,
I'll be trapped, and here I'll have to stay.
I've done no harm, I keep to myself;
There's nothing wrong with my state of mental health.
I like it here with my childhood friend;
Here they come, those feelings again!
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Is it the man come to take me away?
Why do they follow me?
It's not the future that I can see,
It's just my fantasy
Oh...Who can it be now?
Oh...Who can it...Who can it...
Yeah yeah yeah
Colin James Hay(born 29 June 1953) is a Scottish-Australian musician, who made his mark during the 1980s as lead vocalist of the Australian band Men at Work, and later as a solo artist.
In 1978, Hay met Ron Strykert and the men began playing acoustic music as a duo. Hay and Strykert formed the band Men at Work, adding Jerry Speiser (drums), John Rees (bassist) and Greg Ham (flautist/saxophonist). The group released their debut album Business as Usual in 1981.
Hay joined as guest vocalist with The Incredible Penguins in 1985, for a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", a charity project for research on Fairy penguins, which peaked at #10 on the Australian Kent Music Report in December.
In addition to recording, Hay also established his own recording label, Lazy Eye Records, named for his own strabismus (lazy eye) condition, and has made appearances in cult movies such as Cosi and television shows, such as The Larry Sanders Show, JAG, and The Mick Molloy Show. Hay also appeared on television in the ABC show Scrubs, which along with episodes of ABC's What About Brian, NBC's The Black Donnellys, CBS's Cane, and the BBC hospital drama Casualty, have included performances of some of his previous songs.
In December 2005, Hay and Heather Mills digitally re-released "My Brilliant Feat" as a charity single as a tribute to the late football (soccer) player George Best, who died on 25 November of that year. Proceeds were forwarded to the Donor Family Network, supporting organ donor families and promoting organ and tissue donation. The single is available on iTunes with a bonus music video tribute to Best.
In 2006 he provided his voice for one of the characters in animated movie The Wild. Hay has also been a member of Ringo Starr's eighth and tenth All-Starr Bands. He continues to perform regularly, including playing some folk venues.
On 13 February 2009, former Men at Work band member, Ron Strykert, was arrested for allegedly making death threats against Hay.
Hay contributed music to the TV series Scrubs in the course of a number of episodes, including on-camera performances. In episode 1 of season 2 he performs an acoustic version of the Men at Work-hit "Overkill", and he also makes appearances in "My Hard Labor" and in the season 8 finale, "My Finale", in a non-speaking role as J.D. walks out of the hospital for the last time, seeing faces of those he's been with at the hospital over the years.
Hay released his 10th album, "American Sunshine", on 18 August 2009 by Compass Records.
In 2009, Colin Hay's former group, Men at Work, were named in a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement by Larrikin Music, who owns the rights to the Kookaburra song. Larrikin Music claims that part of a flute riff from the band's 1981 single "Down Under" was copied from "Kookaburra" originally written by music teacher, Marion Sinclair, who died in 1988. In February 2010, a court ruled in favor of Larrikin Music. Although the petition from Larrikin Music requested 40 to 60% of royalties dating back to 1981 and future royalties, in July 2010 a judge awarded the plaintiff only 5% of royalties dating back to 2002 and the same amount of future royalties.
In May 2009, Colin Hay performed at the Artist for the Arts Foundation benefit at Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, CA. Performing live, along side Curt Smith (Tears for Fears) Fee Waybill (Tubes) & Venice and over 70 members of the Santa Monica High School (SaMoHi) Orchestra and Girls Choir ,the benefit helped to provide funds for the continuation of Music Education in public schools. The event was filmed and recorded by Harry Rabin of On the WAVE Productions and can be seen on the AFTA Foundation website. http://www.aftafoundation.com
Go 'way, don't come 'round here no more.
Can't you see that it's late at night?
I'm very tired, and I'm not feeling right.
All I wish is to be alone;
Stay away, don't you invade my home.
Best off if you hang outside,
Don't come in - I'll only run and hide.
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be knocking at my door?
Make no sound, tip-toe across the floor.
If he hears, he'll knock all day,
I'll be trapped, and here I'll have to stay.
I've done no harm, I keep to myself;
There's nothing wrong with my state of mental health.
I like it here with my childhood friend;
Here they come, those feelings again!
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Who can it be now?
Is it the man come to take me away?
Why do they follow me?
It's not the future that I can see,
It's just my fantasy
Oh...Who can it be now?
Oh...Who can it...Who can it...
Yeah yeah yeah
Colin Hay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Colin Hay | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Colin James Hay |
| Born | 29 June 1953 Kilwinning, Scotland |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, New Wave, Acoustic, Country |
| Occupations | Singer, Actor |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | CBS, MCA, Compass |
| Associated acts | Men at Work Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band |
| Website | Official MySpace Official Site |
Contents
|
Early life and Men at Work
Hay was born in Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, Scotland, but moved to Australia at the age of 14 with his family.In 1978, Hay met Ron Strykert and the men began playing acoustic music as a duo. Hay and Strykert formed the band Men at Work, adding Jerry Speiser (drums), John Rees (bassist) and Greg Ham (flautist/saxophonist). The group released their debut album Business as Usual in 1981.
Hay joined as guest vocalist with The Incredible Penguins in 1985, for a cover of "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)", a charity project for research on Fairy penguins, which peaked at #10 on the Australian Kent Music Report in December.
Later career
Following the breakup of Men at Work in 1985, Hay released several major label solo albums, including Looking for Jack (Columbia) and Wayfaring Sons (MCA), to some commercial success. In 2002 Hay appeared as the Troubadour in the Scrubs episode, "My Overkill", and in 2004 he contributed to the Garden State soundtrack with his solo song, "I Just Don't Think I'll Ever Get Over You".In addition to recording, Hay also established his own recording label, Lazy Eye Records, named for his own strabismus (lazy eye) condition, and has made appearances in cult movies such as Cosi and television shows, such as The Larry Sanders Show, JAG, and The Mick Molloy Show. Hay also appeared on television in the ABC show Scrubs, which along with episodes of ABC's What About Brian, NBC's The Black Donnellys, CBS's Cane, and the BBC hospital drama Casualty, have included performances of some of his previous songs.
In December 2005, Hay and Heather Mills digitally re-released "My Brilliant Feat" as a charity single as a tribute to the late football (soccer) player George Best, who died on 25 November of that year. Proceeds were forwarded to the Donor Family Network, supporting organ donor families and promoting organ and tissue donation. The single is available on iTunes with a bonus music video tribute to Best.
In 2006 he provided his voice for one of the characters in animated movie The Wild. Hay has also been a member of Ringo Starr's eighth and tenth All-Starr Bands. He continues to perform regularly, including playing some folk venues.
On 13 February 2009, former Men at Work band member, Ron Strykert, was arrested for allegedly making death threats against Hay.
Hay contributed music to the TV series Scrubs in the course of a number of episodes, including on-camera performances. In episode 1 of season 2 he performs an acoustic version of the Men at Work-hit "Overkill", and he also makes appearances in "My Hard Labor" and in the season 8 finale, "My Finale", in a non-speaking role as J.D. walks out of the hospital for the last time, seeing faces of those he's been with at the hospital over the years.
Hay released his 10th album, "American Sunshine", on 18 August 2009 by Compass Records.
In 2009, Colin Hay's former group, Men at Work, were named in a lawsuit alleging copyright infringement by Larrikin Music, who owns the rights to the Kookaburra song. Larrikin Music claims that part of a flute riff from the band's 1981 single "Down Under" was copied from "Kookaburra" originally written by music teacher, Marion Sinclair, who died in 1988. In February 2010, a court ruled in favor of Larrikin Music. Although the petition from Larrikin Music requested 40 to 60% of royalties dating back to 1981 and future royalties, in July 2010 a judge awarded the plaintiff only 5% of royalties dating back to 2002 and the same amount of future royalties.
In May 2009, Colin Hay performed at the Artist for the Arts Foundation benefit at Barnum Hall, Santa Monica High School, Santa Monica, CA. Performing live, along side Curt Smith (Tears for Fears) Fee Waybill (Tubes) & Venice and over 70 members of the Santa Monica High School (SaMoHi) Orchestra and Girls Choir ,the benefit helped to provide funds for the continuation of Music Education in public schools. The event was filmed and recorded by Harry Rabin of On the WAVE Productions and can be seen on the AFTA Foundation website. http://www.aftafoundation.com
Personal life
Hay is married to singer Cecilia Noël, who often provides backup vocals at Hay's shows.Solo discography
- Albums (release year / re-release)
- Looking for Jack (1987)
- Wayfaring Sons (1990)
- Peaks & Valleys (1992 / 2009)
- Topanga (1994 /2009)
- Transcendental Highway (1998 / 2009)
- Going Somewhere (2000 / 2005)
- Company of Strangers (2002 / 2010)
- Man @ Work (2003)
- Are You Lookin' at Me? (2007)
- American Sunshine (2009)
- Gathering Mercury (2011)
Into My Life
Colin Hay
Carpet stained with my red wine
I've been staring at the fire
I keep looking at the time
I'm waiting on you
I can hear the howling wind
Yes the sound is getting higher
As the night is closing in
I'm waiting on you
Those big black eyes wicked smile
That you flash as you walk through my door
Into my life
Into my life
Into my life
Won't you come in and sit right down
Here let me pour a Stolichnaya
Why is it when you come around
I'm waiting on you
We drink until we get too tired
Even though you try to dance for me
I still can't light up your fire
So I'm waiting on you
From time to time I feel so blind
And there's still so much more left to do
Into my life
Into my life
Into my life
All right
You call me on the telephone
You say that I am always busy
So why am I here all alone
Waiting on you
I pick you up in my white car
I could fall ever so easily
Why you keep me hanging on
I'm waiting on you
Still, those big black eyes wicked smile
That you flash as you walk through my door
Into my life
I've been staring at the fire
I keep looking at the time
I'm waiting on you
I can hear the howling wind
Yes the sound is getting higher
As the night is closing in
I'm waiting on you
Those big black eyes wicked smile
That you flash as you walk through my door
Into my life
Into my life
Into my life
Won't you come in and sit right down
Here let me pour a Stolichnaya
Why is it when you come around
I'm waiting on you
We drink until we get too tired
Even though you try to dance for me
I still can't light up your fire
So I'm waiting on you
From time to time I feel so blind
And there's still so much more left to do
Into my life
Into my life
Into my life
All right
You call me on the telephone
You say that I am always busy
So why am I here all alone
Waiting on you
I pick you up in my white car
I could fall ever so easily
Why you keep me hanging on
I'm waiting on you
Still, those big black eyes wicked smile
That you flash as you walk through my door
Into my life
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