Colin Hay Discusses Males at Work, His Solo Profession, and the Music Biz [Part Two]

Hay spoke to AllMusic shortly after the discharge of his newest solo launch, Man @ Work: Quantity 2, which like its profitable predecessor, accommodates “re-imagined favorites from throughout Hay’s wealthy catalog, together with Males at Work classics, solo album highlights, and new materials.”

So with out additional ado, right here is the second a part of AllMusic’s prolonged interview with Hay.

What do you recall concerning the precise recording of the Males at Work albums from the ’80s, Enterprise as Regular, Cargo, and Two Hearts?

“Nicely, Enterprise as Regular was very fast and it was nice, as a result of we had a ten day pre-production with the producer, Peter McIan, who sadly handed away fairly not too long ago. Very unhappy to listen to that information. He was an ideal file producer. He was excellent for us, actually. And we had a strategy of pre-production the place in a manner, he ‘pop-ified’ the music. We had simplified sure components, and turned perhaps a six-minute music right into a three-and-a-half minute music – whereas retaining the integrity and what was vital to the music.”

“And after we really bought into the studio, it was a really small studio referred to as Richmond Recorders [in Melbourne]. And it took about ten days to file – 5 days for the rhythm tracks and 5 days for overdubs. So, it was very fast. We labored fairly rapidly and it was a really cheap file to make. However he was actually the important thing in bringing that album collectively – Peter McIan.”

“Cargo took us a little bit bit longer. We in the end launched that album too rapidly. I feel we should always have waited, however water underneath the bridge now. However yeah, Cargo took a little bit bit longer. I nonetheless assume we had some good songs on that file. Maybe we might have spent a little bit bit extra time on that – we would have had a greater file, who is aware of? However we have been a little bit bit extra skilled and we nonetheless had McIan engaged on that file, in order that was good.”

“By the point Two Hearts got here round, the band was carried out. We did not notice it on the time, however the band was over. And certainly, it was solely three of us left. John and Jerry had been sacked. So, it was Ron and Greg and I, and Russell [Deppeler] the supervisor, and we made the Two Hearts file.

“But it surely was actually the demise throes of the band. Ron left midway by means of, and on the finish of it, Greg mentioned, ‘I’ve had sufficient,’ and he simply went house – and the band was carried out. I feel there’s some fascinating songs on it, however the first two you could possibly say have been the actual Males at Work albums, in a manner, due to the truth that these data contained the traditional line-up of the band.”

Enterprise as Regular topped the US charts for an unprecedented 15 weeks from late 1982 to early 1983. How overwhelming was the band’s success?

“Nicely you do not notice it is overwhelming. You assume that you will deal with all the pieces nicely. It is like lots of people, while you’re younger…I imply, I might spend most likely 15-20 years dreaming of getting a profitable recording profession and touring the world. And rapidly, while you get that, it is form of like, ‘Oh, okay, nicely, your goals turned realized.’ After which how do you deal with that? Once you’re younger, nicely, definitely, when I was younger, I believed I knew all the pieces. And it turned out that I knew virtually nothing. So, your training about life and concerning the enterprise you are in, and creativity and interpersonal relationships and all these sorts of issues typically occur after you have had success. And that is what occurred to us.”

“We had unbelievable, phenomenal success…after which all of it imploded. And we did not have the communication abilities to avert what, in essence, ended that profession, which was the demise of the band. When that occurred, I’ve to say that I wasn’t sad about the truth that Males at Work broke up. I used to be fairly completely satisfied to be alone. I might spent 15 years alone, and I used to be fairly completely satisfied to be alone once more, and begin once more, and experiment and play music and preserve transferring ahead.”

“However the affect of the band, I feel, has continued over a protracted time frame. We solely made three albums, however two that have been profitable commercially. And but, there’s an ideal love for these songs by hundreds of thousands and hundreds of thousands of individuals. For which, I am eternally grateful.”

What do you recall concerning the excursions within the ’80s, when Males at Work was on the peak of their success? As a result of lots of people level to the ’80s as a time of extra and partying. Is it honest to say that was the identical for Males at Work?

“Yeah. I imply, most likely not as a lot as loads of bands. However we did our fair proportion of that. I imply, alcohol was my Achilles’ heel. And I spotted that I had an issue with that fairly early on. And I spent about most likely six years making an attempt to surrender alcohol. And I finally did in 1991. It wasn’t that vital to us. I imply, we have been extra form of cups of tea, have a little bit of weed or one thing after the present. It wasn’t a lot the opposite factor – of going loopy.”

What music is the underrated gem of the Males at Work catalog?

“I do not know. I imply, I do not learn about this entire ‘underrated’ factor. I imply, underrated by whom? Who’s doing the ranking? I do not know. I discover the entire thing about whether or not one thing’s underrated as being bizarre. I feel there’s loads of songs on the data which are which are nice, and I feel that they’re appreciated by [fans]. Y’know, it doesn’t matter what music I play at a live performance, for instance, there’s all the time any person within the viewers who loves that music, and I feel, ‘Nicely, it isn’t underrated by them‘.”

I personally assume the music “Blue for You” off Cargo was underrated, and would have been an excellent single.

“It is a single now, off the brand new album. I do not know [why it wasn’t a single off Cargo]. I am unable to even keep in mind whether or not it was talked about. I feel that the folks determined that ‘Overkill,’ ‘It is a Mistake,’ and “Dr Heckyl and Mr. Jive’…I by no means actually cared for ‘Dr Heckyl and Mr. Jive’ that a lot as a music. I by no means cared for it then and I nonetheless do not take care of it that a lot. However on the time, it appeared to work, and other people preferred it.”

What was your tackle the comparisons on the time between Males at Work and the Police? Have been they legitimate or invalid?

“Yeah, I feel they have been fairly legitimate in some ways. It isn’t like we went out of our option to copy the Police. It wasn’t like I began singing simply after the Police got here to the scene. However I keep in mind driving alongside and listening to the Police for the primary time, and I simply needed to pull over and assume, ‘Oh my God. There is a man that seems like me.’ After which, after all, they turned profitable earlier than we did. And so, clearly the comparisons had are available primarily I feel, due to the sound of my voice. And in addition, perhaps the add9 chords that we used, that Andy Summers used, as nicely. However I do not actually care. For those who’re gonna evaluate us to the Police, nicely, I will take that. They have been a incredible band.”

And what was your tackle the lawsuit in 2007 regarding “Down Underneath’ and “Kookaburra” [the latter of which was written in 1932 by Marion Sinclair]? Do you’re feeling that declare was based or unfounded?

“Nicely, clearly I did not assume it was. It was a severe declare, as a result of we went to court docket for six years defending it. So, it is a difficult topic, however there was a lawsuit which we needed to defend ultimately, as a result of there’s two bars of ‘Kookaburra Sits within the Outdated Gum Tree’ and ‘Down Underneath,’ which have been added to the music – innocuously and unconsciously – though folks discover that onerous to consider. However that is the reality of it.”

“And after 28 years [since ‘Down Under’ was first released], there was a lawsuit, and we misplaced. However I feel that they [Larrikin Music] misplaced, as nicely, actually. I imply, they acquired a really small share – not of the copyright of the music. So, the co-writer of the music remains to be because it was. I feel that it was a declare which ought to have by no means gotten to court docket. It ought to have been settled earlier than it went by means of the court docket system.”

“However they needed 60% of ‘Down Underneath,’ which was a really cynical factor for them to say. They’d greed and greenback indicators of their eyes, and so they went for it. And so, we needed to defend it. EMI, that was, and I used to be sued, as nicely. I do not lose sleep over it. But it surely was one thing that I will always remember – or forgive – for that matter.”

How was it touring once more as Males at Work with Greg within the late ’90s and early twenty first century, and did his demise in 2012 come as a shock?

“Nicely, I liked Greg. I all the time liked Greg, and I nonetheless love Greg. So, I liked touring with him from ’96 till 2002 [which spawned a live album, 1998’s Brazil]. However he was struggling a bit throughout that point. However we had some nice exhibits, we had some nice excursions. And I feel when he handed away, it was a shock, however I knew that he was in bother earlier than that. I’d go and see him, and Greg was by no means a drinker when he was youthful, however he developed an alcohol factor later in his life. And he appeared sad.”

“And the lawsuit had affected him vastly. He wasn’t sued for it, however he was the one who performed the road [on the flute], so he felt a duty or a guilt for that, and thought that he’d be remembered for that. And it was horrible. It was simply horrible when he died, as a result of he was an ideal buddy of mine and somebody who I actually revered, and he was so good and intellectually succesful. And he was somebody that I all the time imagined that I’d develop previous with and snort at ridiculous issues till we might snort not. So, it is very unhappy that he is gone, and I nonetheless get upset about it once I give it some thought.”

Are you continue to in contact with the opposite surviving former band members of Males at Work?

“No.”

How do you assume the music of Males at Work holds up as we speak while you hear it, or from the followers’ response while you play it?

“Nicely, I feel it is actually sturdy. If I take heed to the data we made, it is nonetheless sonically very sturdy, and I feel all of the components nonetheless work. I feel it is music that shall be round for lots longer than I am round.”

How would you evaluate taking part in with the present Males at Work line-up to the traditional line-up?

“Nicely, I like the band that I’ve now. It is only a totally different band. You possibly can’t actually evaluate them, as a result of it is a totally different dynamic. It is a totally different construction. I imply, Males at Work was a band again then, who have been having an try at having a democratic band, and making choices collectively, and all these issues.”

“This can be a band now the place I am using folks. So, it is a complete totally different factor. It isn’t even actually one thing you’ll be able to evaluate. However I like taking part in with this band. I like these musicians that I play with, as a result of they’re all glorious musicians, and we now have a good time touring collectively. So, it is incredible.”

Are there any solo songs on the Man at Work 2 album that while you play them, you’re feeling might have labored as Males at Work songs?

“There’s loads of overlaps. However I’ve made like, 15 albums since Males at Work. So, it is loads of materials to attract from. The songs that I recorded with Males at Work have been particular to that band. As a result of if I had a music and I’d take a music to the band, the music contained everybody’s musicality and everybody’s enter. So, these Males at Work songs gave the impression of that band, as a result of we have been those who have been taking part in it.”

“Now after we play the songs, it has a unique taste to it due to the musicians who’re taking part in the songs. However you continue to should have respect for the unique recordings and the unique components and the unique preparations – as a result of that is what was profitable, and that is what folks need to hear. So, I’ve no downside taking part in these songs.”

“However I’ve solely been actually touring as Males at Work – other than the excursions that Greg and I did from ’96 till 2002. I have not actually carried out any Males at Work excursions – solely since like, 2019. So, it is only a tour right here and there. It is probably not an enormous a part of my life, is what I am saying. Y’know, what you probably did 45 years in the past is nice, and I like it. But it surely’s not like I get up each day eager about Males at Work.”

You simply talked about that in 2019 you started touring once more as Males at Work. Did you all the time personal the identify ‘Males at Work,’ or did you get the rights to it again? How did that work out, that you just have been capable of tour as ‘Males at Work’?

“Nicely, it is a nebulous factor, actually. Greg and I toured as ‘Males at Work’ – the identify was like a model, which was form of floating round there, like a rudderless ship. So, there’s an inner-dynamic that occurs, the place I can go on the market and play as Males at Work. That is simply the best way that it is occurred. I feel if anybody has a proper to exit on tour as Males at Work, it is me. So, that is what I am doing.”

How would you evaluate touring as we speak to again within the previous days?

“On stage, it is nice. I imply, technically, it is nice. All of the sound techniques are significantly better, and the best way you’ll be able to hear on stage is nice. I’m going out on tour solo, simply myself, and so I additionally exit with the band – the identical band that I’ve now, that’s underneath the moniker of Males at Work. I like touring with them slightly below my very own identify, as a result of we are able to play much more materials from all of the totally different durations of various albums. And plus, we all the time play the Males at Work songs, anyway. It isn’t like we by no means play them. We all the time play just a few of these within the set. So, it isn’t like we do not play Males at Work after we play the solo exhibits.”

“After which once I play as Males at Work, I feel there’s one music we do this’s not a Males at Work music – however the remaining are all Males at Work songs. After which if I play solo, that is a unique form of touring altogether – it is simply me and a guitar and an viewers. And I feel that is most likely the dearest factor to me, as a result of once I bought dropped by MCA Data, I simply began touring alone, and other people began to return. Not very many individuals, however they began off 40-50 folks, and now it is nonetheless not enormous stadiums or something – I play to perhaps 1,000 or 1,500 folks an evening once I play in theaters. And that is developed during the last 30 years.”

“And that is most likely my favourite factor to do, as a result of it is very private, and it simply entails myself and the viewers. The viewers who know what their very own struggles are like, they know what it is wish to rise up on stage and play music. And there is an understanding which occurs between myself and the viewers, which does not occur anyplace else. It would not occur with the music trade, so to talk, and even doing what I am doing with you. Y’know, you write about it, and other people will examine it, and that is nice. And I am completely satisfied to speak to you and so forth.”

“However there’s nothing just like the expertise you can have with an viewers, the place they arrive and see you, and so they need one thing from you. And so hopefully, you give them that. And everyone seems to be richer for it. I definitely know that I’m. So, that is actually what’s vital to me now, greater than the rest – is that feeling of being helpful, and part of folks’s lives that has some resonance and that means as we speak. Which, is affected by what you probably did 40/45 years in the past – however it’s not outlined by it.”

I’d think about additionally taking part in with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band has introduced loads of consideration in direction of you as a solo artist and along with your previous work, proper?

“Probably not. The solo factor sits exterior that in a manner, and taking part in with Ringo is unbelievable – as a result of he is Ringo, and he was in the Beatles. However that is a particular factor, I feel. Y’know, folks come alongside and so they need to hear these previous songs, and so they need to hear ‘Down Underneath’ and ‘Who Can It Be Now?’ And that is form of roughly what that’s – it is a ‘hit fest,’ and you are a sideman for everybody else. And it is an ideal factor to be a part of. However taking part in solo – particularly taking part in for the final three a long time – is one thing which has simply developed over time, which is its personal factor.”

“There are overlaps with all the pieces – there’s overlaps with Males at Work, there’s overlaps with Ringo, there’s overlaps with the solo factor. However the solo factor is simply form of, as I mentioned earlier than, pricey to me due to the truth that it simply entails myself and the viewers. Which, it has its personal life. It isn’t depending on large success or something. It is simply relying on you are going to flip up and they’ll flip up and see you. And there is one thing nice about that.”

You simply talked about the Beatles. How a lot of an affect have been the Beatles on you as a main affect early on? And have been there different artists?

“There have been different artists, however in actuality there was the Beatles, after which there was everyone else. My brother turned me on to black music. He turned me on to Otis Redding and Booker T & the MG’s. And loads of loads of music that I used to be unaware of till he made me conscious of it. After which I turned conscious of the truth that the Beatles have been conscious of it, so I believed, ‘Oh, that is the place all of it comes from.’ I used to be unaware of it earlier than that.”

“However plenty of folks have been influences as I turned a little bit bit older, like Randy Newman is a large affect. And I like Joni Mitchell, and naturally Bob Dylan was nice. And James Taylor. Once I began taking part in acoustic, James Taylor and other people like that have been an enormous affect when it comes to the best way they performed the guitar and the best way they structured songs and so forth.”

Do you have got another upcoming tasks along with Man at Work 2 or excursions you need to debate?

“I am going out on the highway doing a solo tour. Nicely, I’m going again out with Ringo after this tour [on a bill with Toto and Christopher Cross], after which I do a solo tour within the fall of the US and the UK and Australia. So, that takes me by means of to December. So, I am not pondering an excessive amount of past that, besides that after that, like subsequent yr, I need to spend a bit extra time at house and within the studio, the place I can hopefully do some fascinating issues downstairs with some fascinating folks. So, that is what I am wanting ahead to, simply being extra at house. Who is aware of if that’ll occur, however that is my plan.”

Lastly, my associates had a debate not that way back: a few of them named ‘Overkill’ as the best music of the ’80s, and a few of them took exception to that. Would you wish to settle this argument for them?

“I’d by no means ever declare that myself. However I am very, very completely satisfied for different folks to make that declare.” [Laughs]