MEN AT WORK

^FORMED: 1979, Melbourne, Australia
DISBANDED: After The Cargo World Tour late '83
Strykert went on to start a new album 'Two Hearts'
With Hay & Ham but left halfway through the recording.

Formed in 1979 by Colin Hay and Ron Strykert as an acoustic duo, with the later joinning of Jerry Speiser playing drums, John Rees playing bass and Greg Ham playing sax, flute and keyboard.
^The Grace Darling Hotel Collingwood Vic, the men did some of their early gigs here.
^First release was a self pressed "7 with Down under on the b-side

They signed with CBS Records and recorded their first single "Who Can It Be" produced by the american Peter McIan, that was sent to the american radio and reached 1. In 1981 they released their first album, Business as Usual, bringing back their hit now named "Who Can It Be Now?", and a new one, "Down Under", which also was a 1 hit, putting Business as Usual as the 1 album in 1982, taking out Michael Jackson's Thriller from the top. At this year the Men toured USA opening the act for Fleetwood Mac.
^Business as usual number 1 worldwide '83
They received the Grammy as best new artist in 1983, and release in USA their second album, Cargo, bringing such strong new hits like "Overkill" and "It's a Mistake". They started an world tour, passing through the US' Musical Festival that was transmitted live for all the world. One of their shows was released in the video Live in San Francisco, or Was It Berkeley? in 1984. At this year, the manager of the band Russell Deppler sacked Jerry Speiser & John Rees.
^'83's Cargo produced 4 chart singles a Top ten album

Colin, Greg and Ron were back in the studio around Xmas for the recording of their third album, released in 1985 named Two Hearts, now no more produced by McIan, but by Colin, Greg & Ron. It had some singles released but didn't get so much attention, still it went gold. After the release of Two Hearts, Greg and Ron also left the band, and Colin toured with other musicians. After the tour Men at Work was over.
^'85's Two Hearts marked the end but went gold with two chart singles

In 1987 Colin Hay released his first solo album, named Looking for Jack, still on CBS Records, which had the single "Hold Me" as Top 40 song in USA. Greg Ham was producing soundtracks and acting in gold australian productions, guested at Colin Hay's concerts. Colin Hay also stared some movies, like "Wills & Burke" and "Georgia" with Judy Davis, he also was a guest VJ for MTV.

Colin formed a band named The Colin Hay Band in 1988 for touring, it was formed with Gerry Hale, Paul Gadsby and Robert Dillon. In 1990 they released the album Wayfaring Sons, now on MCA Records, which had a 1 hit in Brazil, with the song "Into My Life", and this success brought Colin to the world-known Rock in Rio festival at Rio de Janeiro.

Colin went independent and released in 1992 through Trafalgar Records his third solo album & was acoustic, named Peaks & Valleys, with the featuring of his sister Carol in some backing vocals. In 1994 Colin created his own record label, Lazy Eye Records America Inc., and through it released his forth album, Topanga, with the featuring of musicians from all his career, like Paul Gadsby and Robert Dillon from Colin Hay Band, Chad Fischer from Lazlo Bane, Carol Hay and even Greg Ham from Men at Work.
^Colin Hay's 1994 album Topanga featured Greg Ham of Men At Work

After so many requests Colin formed Men at Work again with Greg Ham, for a tour in South America. The concerts in Brazil resulted in Men at Work's fourth album, Brazil '96 a live recording & saw a new version of the band but with only two original members. The other members absents showed, filled by session musicians and slowly the new lineup disbanded again. At this same year, Colin recorded a new version for "Overkill" with the band Lazlo Bane. Colin already has acted in movies like "Cosi" and "Heaven's Burning". Back in studio was Colin & Greg for the recording of "The Longest Night", a song composed by Greg Ham. Followed a re-release of the Brazil album & this track was added as a bonus.
^Promo shoot for Men At Work Brazil

Colin went on further solo, in 1998 he released his fifth album, Transcendental Highway.

Colin composed and sung the song "Misty Bay" with his wife, the latin-singer/composer/dancer Cecilia Noel. He also acted in the movie "The Craíc" with Jimeoin, a new acoustic version of "Down Under" is on the soundtrack of this movie.

Colin released a new acoustic album in 2000, named Going Somewhere, bringing the main songs played at his acoustic concerts that were not on Peaks & Valleys. Colin Hay & Greg Ham went as Men At Work for the closing act for the Ending Cerimonies of Sydneys Olympics, playing "Down Under". Paul Hogan released the movie "Crocodile Dundee in Los Angeles" and used "Down Under" as the main soundtrack, in a new version with the featuring of Cecilia Noel & The Wild Clams. Colin is now in the end production phase of his seventh solo.Men at Work has no preview of any release. But all original members of the band are still working in the music industry today.
^ Men At Work Co-founder & songwriter Ron Strykert (Summer 2007)

Ron Strykert visited Greece then settled down after the band split in '85 and setup home in Montana and went on to do his own style of music which included the use of bhajans & sanskrit. Ron also played with bassist Eddie T (Tsuru) at the Bozeman bass bash in mid 2007. Ron also a guitar coach gives private lessons. Ron Strykert's new album 'Paradise' is out now and you can catch him playing in and around Montana. Visit his myspace for more info.
Jerry Spesier has been in a few bands since his departure from Men At Work namly 'Wheres Claire' / 'The City' and latest project has been working with Australian band 'Frost'. Jerry is also an organisational trainer and business coach for Ethyka in Melbourne. John Rees is still active in music.

Colin Hay's new album & single 'Are you looking at me?" is out now.