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, comprises “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 Common, Cargo, and Two Hearts?

“Effectively, Enterprise as Common 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 awesome document producer. He was excellent for us, actually. And we had a strategy of pre-production the place in a approach, he ‘pop-ified’ the music. We had simplified sure elements, and turned perhaps a six-minute tune right into a three-and-a-half minute tune – whereas retaining the integrity and what was vital to the tune.”

“And once we really acquired into the studio, it was a really small studio referred to as Richmond Recorders [in Melbourne]. And it took about ten days to document – 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 document to make. However he was actually the important thing in bringing that album collectively – Peter McIan.”

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

“By the point Two Hearts got here round, the band was achieved. We did not understand 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 document.

“However it was actually the demise throes of the band. Ron left midway via, and on the finish of it, Greg mentioned, ‘I’ve had sufficient,’ and he simply went house – and the band was achieved. I feel there’s some attention-grabbing songs on it, however the first two you may say have been the actual Males at Work albums, in a approach, due to the truth that these information contained the traditional line-up of the band.”

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

“Effectively you do not understand it is overwhelming. You suppose that you will deal with all the pieces properly. It is like lots of people, if you’re younger…I imply, I would spend in all probability 15-20 years dreaming of getting a profitable recording profession and touring the world. And unexpectedly, if you get that, it is sort of like, ‘Oh, okay, properly, your goals turned realized.’ After which how do you deal with that? Once you’re younger, properly, 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 unimaginable, 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 glad to be by myself. I would spent 15 years by myself, and I used to be fairly glad to be by myself once more, and begin once more, and experiment and play music and maintain transferring ahead.”

“However the impression 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 awesome 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, in all probability not as a lot as numerous bands. However we did our fair proportion of that. I imply, alcohol was my Achilles’ heel. And I noticed that I had an issue with that fairly early on. And I spent about in all probability six years attempting to surrender alcohol. And I finally did in 1991. It wasn’t that vital to us. I imply, we have been extra sort 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 tune is the underrated gem of the Males at Work catalog?

“I do not know. I imply, I do not learn about this complete ‘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 numerous songs on the information which can be which can be nice, and I feel that they’re appreciated by [fans]. Y’know, it doesn’t matter what tune I play at a live performance, for instance, there’s all the time anyone within the viewers who loves that tune, and I feel, ‘Effectively, it isn’t underrated by them‘.”

I personally suppose the tune “Blue for You” off Cargo was underrated, and would have been a great single.

“It is a single now, off the brand new album. I don’t know [why it wasn’t a single off Cargo]. I can not even keep in mind whether or not it was talked about. I feel that the individuals 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 tune. 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 folks appreciated 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 is not like we went out of our technique 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 suppose, ‘Oh my God. There is a man that appears like me.’ After which, in fact, they turned profitable earlier than we did. And so, clearly the comparisons had are available in 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 properly. However I do not actually care. For those who’re gonna evaluate us to the Police, properly, I am going to take that. They have been a unbelievable band.”

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

“Effectively, clearly I did not suppose 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 sophisticated topic, however there was a lawsuit which we needed to defend in the long run, as a result of there’s two bars of ‘Kookaburra Sits within the Previous Gum Tree’ and ‘Down Below,’ which have been added to the tune – innocuously and unconsciously – though individuals 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 properly, actually. I imply, they obtained a really small proportion – not of the copyright of the tune. So, the co-writer of the tune 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 via the court docket system.”

“However they needed 60% of ‘Down Below,’ which was a really cynical factor for them to assert. They’d greed and greenback indicators of their eyes, they usually went for it. And so, we needed to defend it. EMI, that was, and I used to be sued, as properly. I do not lose sleep over it. However it was one thing that I am going to 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?

“Effectively, 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 might 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 enormously. 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 awesome pal 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 might develop previous with and snort at ridiculous issues till we may snort not. So, it’s extremely unhappy that he is gone, and I nonetheless get upset about it after 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 suppose the music of Males at Work holds up in the present day if you hear it, or from the followers’ response if you play it?

“Effectively, I feel it is actually sturdy. If I hearken to the information we made, it is nonetheless sonically very sturdy, and I feel all of the elements nonetheless work. I feel it is music that will likely be round for lots longer than I am round.”

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

“Effectively, I really like the band that I’ve now. It is only a totally different band. You’ll be able to’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 individuals. So, it is a complete totally different factor. It is not even actually one thing you’ll be able to evaluate. However I really like enjoying with this band. I really like these musicians that I play with, as a result of they’re all glorious musicians, and we’ve got a good time touring collectively. So, it is unbelievable.”

Are there any solo songs on the Man at Work 2 album that if you play them, you are feeling may have labored as Males at Work songs?

“There’s numerous overlaps. However I’ve made like, 15 albums since Males at Work. So, it is numerous 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 tune and I might take a tune to the band, the tune 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 enjoying it.”

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

“However I’ve solely been actually touring as Males at Work – aside from the excursions that Greg and I did from ’96 till 2002. I have not actually achieved any Males at Work excursions – solely since like, 2019. So, it is only a tour right here and there. It is not likely 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 adore it. However it’s not like I get up day by day fascinated with 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’?

“Effectively, it is a nebulous factor, actually. Greg and I toured as ‘Males at Work’ – the identify was like a model, which was sort 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 in the present day 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 am 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 really like touring with them just below my very own identify, as a result of we will 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 is not like we by no means play them. We all the time play a couple of of these within the set. So, it isn’t like we do not play Males at Work once we play the solo exhibits.”

“After which after I play as Males at Work, I feel there’s one tune we try this’s not a Males at Work tune – however the remainder are all Males at Work songs. After which if I play solo, that is a unique sort of touring altogether – it is simply me and a guitar and an viewers. And I feel that is in all probability the dearest factor to me, as a result of after I acquired dropped by MCA Information, I simply began touring by myself, and folks began to come back. Not very many individuals, however they began off 40-50 individuals, and now it is nonetheless not big stadiums or something – I play to perhaps 1,000 or 1,500 individuals an evening after I play in theaters. And that is developed over the past 30 years.”

“And that is in all probability my favourite factor to do, as a result of it’s extremely private, and it simply includes myself and the viewers. The viewers who know what their very own struggles are like, they know what it is prefer 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 business, so to talk, and even doing what I am doing with you. Y’know, you write about it, and folks will examine it, and that is nice. And I am glad to speak to you and so forth.”

“However there’s nothing just like the expertise that you would be able to have with an viewers, the place they arrive and see you, they usually 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 individuals’s lives that has some resonance and which means in the present day. Which, is affected by what you probably did 40/45 years in the past – but it surely’s not outlined by it.”

I might think about additionally enjoying with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band has introduced numerous consideration in the direction of you as a solo artist and along with your previous work, proper?

“Not likely. The solo factor sits exterior that in a approach, and enjoying with Ringo is unimaginable – as a result of he is Ringo, and he was in the Beatles. However that is a selected factor, I feel. Y’know, individuals come alongside they usually need to hear these previous songs, they usually need to hear ‘Down Below’ and ‘Who Can It Be Now?’ And that is sort of kind of what that’s – it is a ‘hit fest,’ and you are a sideman for everybody else. And it is an awesome factor to be a part of. However enjoying solo – particularly enjoying for the final three many years – 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 sort of, as I mentioned earlier than, pricey to me due to the truth that it simply includes myself and the viewers. Which, it has its personal life. It is not depending on huge success or something. It is simply relying on you are going to flip up and they are going to 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 major 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 numerous numerous 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 a lot of individuals have been influences as I turned a bit bit older, like Randy Newman is a large affect. And I really like Joni Mitchell, and naturally Bob Dylan was nice. And James Taylor. After I began enjoying acoustic, James Taylor and folks like that have been an enormous affect by way of the best way they performed the guitar and the best way they structured songs and so forth.”

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

“I am going out on the street doing a solo tour. Effectively, I am 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 via 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 attention-grabbing issues downstairs with some attention-grabbing individuals. So, that is what I am trying 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 tune of the ’80s, and a few of them took exception to that. Would you prefer to settle this argument for them?

“I might by no means ever declare that myself. However I am very, very glad for different individuals to make that declare.” [Laughs]