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Formed in 1979 as an acoustic duo by Colin Hay (vocals) and Ron Strykert (guitar) in their hometown of Melbourne, the band soon expanded as the welcomed Jerry Speiser (drums), Greg Ham (flute) and John Rees (bass) helping to realise their full potential with influence stemming from pivotal bands such as The Police.
After spending the early beginnings of their career on the Australian pub circuit, the band quickly gained popularity locally and in 1981 Men at Work struck commercial gold. The release of their debut album “Business as Usual” (1981) through Columbia Records saw Men at Work make a clean sweep as they stormed album charts in Australia, New Zealand, Norway, UK and US with the number one spot. Going seven times platinum, the album featured the tracks “Who Can It Be Now”, “Down Under” and “Be Good Johnny”.
The band went down a treat across the pond in both the US and Canada with an overwhelming amount of support from local radio stations coinciding with their extensive US tour. In 1983 Men At Work released their second album “Cargo” which zipped to the top of the Australian album charts at number one producing the singles “Dr. Heckyll and Mr. Jive”, “Overkill” and “It’s a Mistake”. Later that year the band received a Grammy award for Best New Band and the following year were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.
While in the midst of recording their third album “Two Hearts” (1985) tensions ran high in the band as management decided that Rees and Speiser were not needed on the recording and instead were replaced by session musicians. With the album only peaking at number 16, their success was soon short-lived as they hit a dry spell combined with declining popularity and record sales it forced the band to break up in 1986. During the split, Hay embarked on a solo career playing alongside Ringo Starr & His All Star Band meanwhile Ham played Sax in The Nudist Funk Orchestra.
The band reformed in 1996 with Ham and Hay performing all their greatest hits as they embarked on an extensive South American tour which culminated in the release of the live album “Brazil ‘96” (1997). Although the band only released three studio albums, they achieved incredible levels of recognition worldwide with the highest of accolades bestowed upon them.
Men at Work provide an explosive concert experience. Greg explodes with almost no warning into a frenzied flurry of fingers and flute before Simon explodes into song and the clapping around me takes on a rhythm that almost blocks out the rest of the band. Not to be outdone by their own audience the band picks up the tempo and the room fills with sweet down-under accents I remember so well from my childhood.
Hilarious dancing and jumping breaks out on the stage while Greg skillfully handles his solos and sets a staccato beat for the clapping rhythm. While the ethereal vocals and skillful playing of the other members is interesting Greg Ham is the real focus for me. He switches seamlessly from flute to saxophone and again sets both the rhythm for the audience and the tempo for the band. His solos show an intense concentration while the other members dance around and enjoy themselves.
Eschewing a fancy setup the bands equipment is easily visible making the instrument changes for Greg easier and forcing the focus to remain on the band and nothing else. There are a few lights high above the band shedding small swaths of coloured light onto the band. The vocal harmonization in an otherwise staccato song leaves me in awe of the bands talent.
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