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 Normal, Cargo, and Two Hearts?
“Properly, Enterprise as Normal 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 just lately. Very unhappy to listen to that information. He was an excellent file producer. He was excellent for us, actually. And we had a strategy of pre-production the place in a method, he ‘pop-ified’ the music. We had simplified sure elements, and turned possibly 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 truly 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 shortly 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 somewhat bit longer. We finally launched that album too shortly. I believe we should always have waited, however water underneath the bridge now. However yeah, Cargo took somewhat bit longer. I nonetheless suppose we had some good songs on that file. Maybe we might have spent somewhat bit extra time on that – we would have had a greater file, who is aware of? However we have been somewhat 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 accomplished. 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 loss of life throes of the band. Ron left midway via, and on the finish of it, Greg stated, ‘I’ve had sufficient,’ and he simply went dwelling – and the band was accomplished. I believe there’s some fascinating songs on it, however the first two you possibly can say have been the actual Males at Work albums, in a method, due to the truth that these data contained the basic line-up of the band.”
Enterprise as Normal topped the US charts for an unprecedented 15 weeks from late 1982 to early 1983. How overwhelming was the band’s success?
“Properly you do not notice it is overwhelming. You suppose that you will deal with the whole lot nicely. It is like lots of people, once 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 rapidly, once you get that, it is form of like, ‘Oh, okay, nicely, your desires turned realized.’ After which how do you deal with that? Whenever you’re younger, nicely, actually, when I was younger, I believed I knew the whole lot. And it turned out that I knew virtually nothing. So, your schooling about life and concerning the enterprise you are in, and creativity and interpersonal relationships and all these sorts of issues usually 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 completely satisfied to be by myself. I would spent 15 years by myself, and I used to be fairly completely satisfied to be by myself once more, and begin once more, and experiment and play music and preserve transferring ahead.”
“However the influence of the band, I believe, has continued over a protracted time frame. We solely made three albums, however two that have been profitable commercially. And but, there’s an excellent love for these songs by thousands and thousands and thousands and 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 truthful to say that was the identical for Males at Work?
“Yeah. I imply, in all probability not as a lot as lots of bands. However we did our justifiable share 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 ultimately 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 find out 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 believe there’s lots of songs on the data which might be which might be nice, and I believe 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 anyone within the viewers who loves that music, and I believe, ‘Properly, it is not underrated by them‘.”
I personally suppose the music “Blue for You” off Cargo was underrated, and would have been a very good 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 bear in mind whether or not it was talked about. I believe 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 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 appreciated it.”
What was your tackle the comparisons on the time between Males at Work and the Police? Had been they legitimate or invalid?
“Yeah, I believe they have been fairly legitimate in some ways. It isn’t like we went out of our solution to copy the Police. It wasn’t like I began singing simply after the Police got here to the scene. However I bear 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 feels like me.’ After which, in fact, they turned profitable earlier than we did. And so, clearly the comparisons had are available primarily I believe, due to the sound of my voice. And in addition, possibly the add9 chords that we used, that Andy Summers used, as nicely. However I do not actually care. If you happen to’re gonna evaluate us to the Police, nicely, I am going to take that. They have been a incredible 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’re feeling that declare was based or unfounded?
“Properly, 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 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 Below,’ which have been added to the music – innocuously and unconsciously – though individuals discover that onerous to imagine. 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 believe 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 believe 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 say. 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 nicely. I do not lose sleep over it. But it surely 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 loss of life in 2012 come as a shock?
“Properly, I beloved Greg. I all the time beloved Greg, and I nonetheless love Greg. So, I beloved 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 believe 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 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 excellent buddy of mine and somebody who I actually revered, and he was so sensible and intellectually succesful. And he was somebody that I all the time imagined that I’d develop outdated with and snort at ridiculous issues till we might snort now not. So, it’s extremely 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 suppose the music of Males at Work holds up right now once you hear it, or from the followers’ response once you play it?
“Properly, I believe it is actually robust. If I hearken to the data we made, it is nonetheless sonically very robust, and I believe all of the elements nonetheless work. I believe it is music that might 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 basic line-up?
“Properly, I really like the band that I’ve now. It is only a completely different band. You’ll be able to’t actually evaluate them, as a result of it is a completely different dynamic. It is a completely 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 an entire completely different factor. It isn’t even actually one thing you may evaluate. However I really like taking part in with this band. I really like these musicians that I play with, as a result of they’re all wonderful musicians, and we have now a good time touring collectively. So, it is incredible.”
Are there any solo songs on the Man at Work 2 album that once you play them, you’re feeling might have labored as Males at Work songs?
“There’s lots of overlaps. However I’ve made like, 15 albums since Males at Work. So, it is lots 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 seemed like 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 special taste to it due to the musicians who’re taking part in the songs. However you continue to need to 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 wish to hear. So, I’ve no downside taking part in 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 never actually accomplished 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 like it. But it surely’s not like I get up day by day occupied 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 in a position to tour as ‘Males at Work’?
“Properly, 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 way in which that it is occurred. I believe 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 right now to again within the outdated days?
“On stage, it is nice. I imply, technically, it is nice. All of the sound methods are a lot better, and the way in which you may 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 completely 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 a number of of these within the set. So, it is not like we do not play Males at Work after we play the solo exhibits.”
“After which once I play as Males at Work, I believe 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 special form of touring altogether – it is simply me and a guitar and an viewers. And I believe that is in all probability the dearest factor to me, as a result of once I bought dropped by MCA Data, I simply began touring by myself, and other people began to return. Not very many individuals, however they began off 40-50 individuals, and now it is nonetheless not large stadiums or something – I play to possibly 1,000 or 1,500 individuals an evening once 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 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 wherever else. It does 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, they usually need one thing from you. And so hopefully, you give them that. And everyone seems to be richer for it. I actually know that I’m. So, that is actually what’s vital to me now, greater than anything – is that feeling of being helpful, and part of individuals’s lives that has some resonance and which means right now. Which, is affected by what you probably did 40/45 years in the past – nevertheless it’s not outlined by it.”
I’d think about additionally taking part in with Ringo Starr & His All-Star Band has introduced lots 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 method, and taking part in with Ringo is unimaginable – as a result of he is Ringo, and he was in the Beatles. However that is a selected factor, I believe. Y’know, individuals come alongside they usually wish to hear these outdated songs, they usually wish to hear ‘Down Below’ and ‘Who Can It Be Now?’ And that is form of kind of what that’s – it is a ‘hit fest,’ and you are a sideman for everybody else. And it is an excellent factor to be a part of. However taking part in solo – particularly taking part in for the final three many years – is one thing which has simply developed over time, which is its personal factor.”
“There are overlaps with the whole lot – 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 stated earlier than, pricey to me due to the truth that it simply includes 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 will 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 lots of lots 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 a lot of individuals have been influences as I turned somewhat bit older, like Randy Newman is a big affect. And I really like Joni Mitchell, and naturally Bob Dylan was nice. And James Taylor. After I began taking part in acoustic, James Taylor and other people like that have been an enormous affect when it comes to the way in which they performed the guitar and the way in which they structured songs and so forth.”
Do you’ve got some other upcoming initiatives along with Man at Work 2 or excursions you want to debate?
“I am going out on the street doing a solo tour. Properly, 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 12 months, I wish to spend a bit extra time at dwelling and within the studio, the place I can hopefully do some fascinating issues downstairs with some fascinating individuals. So, that is what I am wanting ahead to, simply being extra at dwelling. Who is aware of if that’ll occur, however that is my plan.”
Lastly, my buddies 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 individuals to make that declare.” [Laughs]
