Formed in 1979 by Colin Hay and Ron Strykert as an acoustic duo, with the later joinning of Jerry Speiser playing drums, John Rees playing bass and Greg Ham playing sax, flute and keyboard. A self funded single titled 'Keypunch Operator' was sold at their early pub gigs with 'Down Under' on the b-side, head full of zombie? no! you heard right!
The men signed with CBS Records & shortly after were to be the opening act for Fleetwood Mac. Men At Work recorded their first single "Who Can It Be" produced by the American producer Peter McIan, that was sent to the American radio and reached #1. In 1981 they released their first album, Business as Usual (also produced by McIan), bringing back their hit now named "Who Can It Be Now?", and a new one, "Down Under", which also was a #1 hit, also putting Business as Usual at #1 in 1982, it lost the top spot to Michael Jackson's Thriller.
Men At Work received a Grammy for ''best new artist'' in 1983, and released their second album, Cargo recorded at Paradise Studios Sydney & AAV in Melbourne, bringing such strong new hits like "Overkill" and "It's a Mistake", the album was also produced by Peter McIan. The men started a world tour, passing through in a fried out combi to the U.S. Music Festival, that was transmitted live all over the world. One of their shows from the world tour was released in the video Live in San Francisco, or Was It Berkeley? in 1984 for CBS Fox. Shortly after that tour when Jerry Speiser & John Rees returned to Australia, the original MAW manager of the band 'Russell Deppeller' sacked both of them, Colin Hay took his side in agreement.
Colin, Greg and Ron were back in the studio at the start of 1985, up at Fast Forward Studios in Warrenwood for the recording of their third album named Two Hearts, now no more produced by McIan, but by Colin, Greg & Ron along with Bob Clearmountain supervising the mix. Session players were bought in namely Mark Kennedy & Jeremy Alsop. Released in April of '85, it had some singles released as well as remixes, but didn't get so much attention, still it went gold. After the release of Two Hearts, Greg and Ron also left the band, Greg went off to play with his then girlfriend in her band 'Miss Dorothy & His Fools In Love' the story also goes that Ron just stopped turning up to the sessions for Two Hearts, before even the first single was released. Colin toured with other musicians. After the tour Men At Work was over. Pride and insecurities are blocking Men at work's reunion to rock the world once again.
Men At Work Biographical notes by the English musician & producer: Lee Simeone
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
Greg Ham has been playing with 'The Nudist Funk Orchestra' for a few years now and did residency for the Esplanade Hotel in St. Kilda. Greg is now teaching music at a primary school in Victoria.
Ron Strykert visited Greece then settled down after the band split in '85 and setup home in Montana, where he went on to do his own style of music, which included the use of bhajans & Sanskrit. Strykert released an album 'Paradise' back in 2003. He still continues to write & record music, as well as performing local live shows.
Jerry Speiser has been in a few bands since his departure from Men At Work namely 'Wheres Claire' / 'The City' and latest project has been working with Australian band 'Frost' & playing live in 2010 with 'Sacred Cow'. Jerry is also an organisational trainer and business coach for Ethyka in Melbourne.
John Rees is still active in music and now teaches drums to local up & coming musicians in & around Victoria.
Colin Hay in 1987 started the record for his first solo album in London's famous Battery Studios, the album was to be named Looking for Jack. Released on CBS & included the single "Hold Me" as Top 40 song in the USA.
Greg Ham was producing soundtracks and acting in gold australian productions, guested at Colin Hay's concerts. Colin Hay also stared some movies, like "Wills & Burke" and "Georgia" with Judy Davis, he also was a guest VJ for MTV.
Colin formed a band named The Colin Hay Band in 1988 for touring, it was formed with Gerry Hale, Paul Gadsby and Robert Dillon. In 1990 they released the album Wayfaring Sons, now on MCA Records, which had a 1 hit in Brazil, with the song "Into My Life", and this success brought Colin to the world-known Rock in Rio festival at Rio de Janeiro.
Colin went independent and released in 1992 through Trafalgar Records his third solo album & was acoustic, named Peaks & Valleys, with the featuring of his sister Carol in some backing vocals. In 1994 Colin created his own record label, Lazy Eye Records America Inc., and through it released his forth album, Topanga, with the featuring of musicians from all his career, like Paul Gadsby and Robert Dillon from Colin Hay Band, Chad Fischer from Lazlo Bane, Carol Hay and even Greg Ham from Men at Work.
After so many requests Colin teamed up with Greg Ham, for a tour in South America under the Men At Work banner. The concerts in Brazil resulted in a live Brazil '96 CD, which featured a new version of the band but with only two original members. The other original members absents showed. Ron Strykert trully was a craftsman at his guitar, along with Jerry & John's fantastic rhythm section. At this same year, Colin recorded a new version for "Overkill" with the band Lazlo Bane. Colin already has acted in movies like "Cosi" and "Heaven's Burning". Back in studio was Colin & Greg for the recording of "The Longest Night", a song composed by Greg Ham. Followed a re-release of the Brazil album & this track was added as a bonus.
Colin went on further solo, in 1998 he released his fifth album, Transcendental Highway, Hay also composed and sung the song "Misty Bay" with his wife, the Latin-singer/composer/dancer Cecilia Noel. He also acted in the movie "The Craíc" with Jimeoin, a new acoustic version of "Down Under" is on the soundtrack of this movie, this was followed by the released of a new acoustic album in 2000, named Going Somewhere, bringing the main songs played at his acoustic concerts that were not on Peaks & Valleys. Colin Hay & Greg Ham went out again as Men At Work for the closing act for the Ending Ceremonies of Sydney's Olympics, playing "Down Under". Paul Hogan released the movie "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" and used "Down Under" as the main soundtrack, in a new version with the featuring of Cecilia Noel & The Wild Clams. Colin was by that time at the end production phase of his seventh solo. Visit the Colin Hay official website for more info. Men At Work has no preview of any release.
