Those kicking Aussies, Men at Work, return from ‘80s obscurity

Shane Gammon

Friday, Jan. 2, 1998 | 8:45 a.m.

"Men at Work" ... Australian for "rock band."

After reuniting for a Brazil-USA tour late last year, Men at Work will perform at 8 tonight in The Joint at the Hard Rock hotel-casino.

The band formed in 1979, but faced the burden of being from an often-overlooked country. Three years and many pubs and hotels later, they found success. Men at Work's first album, "Business As Usual," came out in 1982 and remained No. 1 in America for 15 weeks, only to be kicked from the top spot by Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

The band was able to chart numerous hits, including "Who Can It Be Now," "Down Under," "Everything I Need" and "Overkill." Along the way they received the 1983 Grammy Award for Best New Artist.

What sparked this sudden popularity?

"Men at Work were among the first bands to benefit from the music-video revolution and the loosening up of radio formats that followed it," a Rolling Stone article explained. "The Australian rockers' loony, cartoonish video clips intrigued young MTV watchers, who began calling radio stations with requests for the band's singles."

Men at Work, the magazine continued, "wrote brisk, likable, hook-laden pop tunes that combined sprightly quasi-reggae rhythms and songwriter-guitarist Colin Hay's throaty, accented vocals."

But critics loved the band's music because it sounded like the Police, a critical favorite.

"We're not presenting anything new or innovative," Hay responded to the critics. "But in the States, in a lot of places, it's like, 'Oh, I haven't heard anything like this before...' "

After the band's 1984 breakup, Hay continued producing music as a solo act.

"Of course, I had the luxury of being at the top," Hay said. "I saw things from a very rarefied position. But, to me, what's really important is getting it down. Doing a body of work which will outlast me."

Along with its worldwide success, Men at Work has also been given credit for paving the road to success for other Australian bands, such as Crowded House and INXS.

Reserved tickets for the concert are $25, $22; General admission is $20. Tickets are available at the Hard Rock Hotel box office with no service charge or may also be purchased at any TicketMaster location. For more information call 693-5066.