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Men At Work

Biography

Men at Work were one of the more surprising success stories of the new wave era, rocketing out of Australia in 1982 to become the most successful artist of the year. With its Police-styled rhythms, catchy guitar hooks, wailing saxophones, and off-kilter sense of humor, the band's debut album Business as Usual became an international blockbuster, breaking the American record for the most weeks a debut spent at the top of the charts. Their funny, irreverent videos became MTV favorites, helping send "Who Can It Be Now?" and "Down Under" to number one. Men at Work's momentum sustained them through their second album, 1983's Cargo, before the bottom fell out of the band's popularity. After releasing Two Hearts in 1985, Men at Work broke up, becoming one of the better-remembered phenomenons of new wave.

Colin Hay (lead vocals, guitar), a native of Scotland who moved to Australia at the age of 14, formed Men at Work as an acoustic duo with Ron Strykert (guitar, vocals) in Melbourne in 1979. Within a few months, the duo had expanded to a full group with the addition of John Rees (bass), Greg Ham (saxophone, flute, keyboards), and Jerry Speiser (drums). Over the next two years, the band became regulars at the Cricketer's Arms Hotel bar and on Australia's pub circuit, eventually becoming the highest-paid unsigned band in the country. By 1981, they had landed a contract with Australian Columbia, who released "Who Can It Be Now?" by the end of the year. The single became an huge hit, as did their debut album, Business as Usual, upon its spring 1982 release. Featuring contributions by Hay, Strykert, and Ham, Business as Usual spent ten weeks at the top of the Australian charts, beating a record held by Split Enz's True Colours. The album was released in America in the summer, and within a few weeks "Who Can It Be Now?" began its climb to the top of the U.S. charts. In November, Business as Usual hit the top of the charts, where it would stay for 15 weeks. "Down Under" became the group's second American number one early in 1983 and it became the band's first British hit single; the song reached number one in both countries simultaneously. In February, the band was named the Best New Artist of 1982 at the Grammys.

Men at Work's second album, Cargo, had been recorded during the summer of 1982, but its release was delayed because of the remarkable success of the debut. Largely written by Hay, Cargo reached number three in the U.S. and generated the Top Ten singles "Overkill" and "It's a Mistake." Following an extensive tour, during which the group co-headlined the US Festival with the Clash and the Stray Cats, Men at Work took an extended break in 1984, which caused Spesier and Rees to leave the band. They were replaced by session musicians for the group's third album, 1985's Two Hearts. Though the record went gold in the U.S., it was a considerable commercial disappointment, failing to generate one Top 40 single. Following the release of Two Hearts, the band broke up. Out of the remaining members, Hay was the only one to pursue a solo career, but neither of his two American solo albums -- Looking for Jack (1987) and Wayfaring Sons (1990) -- were successes. Hay continued to release albums in Australia during the '90s; he also began an acting career. He and Ham re-formed Men at Work in 1998, issuing the live hits collection Brazil. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Continued…

Selected Discography

Brazil (Live)
1998

Contraband: The Best Of Men At Work
1996

Cargo
1983

Business As Usual
1982

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A-Sides

tedmiten says:

10-10-2008

Most Cool!! Was at University at this time-great party music! TT

Kathleen says:

10-09-2008

I Love growing up in the 80's music was at it's best. This band was a lot of fun.

nice guy is funny says:

edited on 09-24-2008

I love this band I grow-up with this band thosewas the good days I miss those years I have so much fun and the tickets to see these bands were cheap too....

taistick76 says:

08-25-2008

One of my favorite insperations as young musician.
This sound is not done yet, we still got some stuff tadew, seen?
Pacific Reggea still is pumping out some new talent. Try a band called "Katch a Fire" from New Zeland

LA Girl says:

08-21-2008

THIS IS SOME 80'S MUSIC FOR SURE

oui33 says:

08-20-2008

Quirky-good stuff!

Artistic One says:

edited on 07-23-2008

Living in Australia through the first part of the 80s, we really weren't aware whether Oz bands such as 'Men at Work' were internationa l l y huge, or just popular on a local level.
Upon returning to the U.S. in '86 we found out just how much impact M.A.W. had on the global market.
We also realized the internationa l pull of MTV at helping to create global musical tastes.

Can the charm of that era be duplicated again?
Probably not.
(at least not with the youthful innocent enthusiasm)
Maybe darker.

Luvchic says:

05-14-2008

------This is an 80's band----and I still Love them ,,,,"Rock on ....Men at Work"!!!!!! X.O p.s. I love "be good Johnny!"---- L u v c h i c

zmmchaos119 says:

04-27-2008

Being in my late teens and early twentys during the 80's I remember this band fondly and had the opportunity to see them in concert. It was a great night.

Larry Live says:

02-29-2008

And I like em too

gregory says:

02-20-2008

Most overlooked group of the era. Every track on the ablum is solid.

lashunrick says:

01-18-2008

Great band! That first album make me think of 4th grade. What a year! :)