John Hayes. If you’re into funk and rock, you recognize the name of this prolific guitarist from his stint with the legendary Southern Funk Band, Mothers Finest. As a band, they are notable partly because they are an "interracial" rock group from the US South but unforgettable as one of the longest bands running who blend funky rhythm, heavy guitars and expressive rock singing like no other. In 1978 they were guests in German broadcast Rockpalast and with one concert they gathered a cult status in Europe and the US which lasts until today. It only takes one visit with MF to become a convert.
I had the opportunity to catch up with the renowned and celebrated guitarist John Hayes who joined MF in the 80’s and has been leaving his mark on stages across America and Europe ever since - Along with his side project, The John Hayes Project, John has cultivated his own fan base through his charismatic performances and intuitive approach to that which we call rock. Sit back and check out what John has to say…
Let’s start out by giving our readers a little history lesson - tell us about how you got started in the business and how you became a member of one of the most infamous funk bands to ever hit a stage - Mother’s Finest (MF)?
JH-As a kid I grew up in the Woodstock period and always loved rock. That is when I switched from playing trumpet in the school band class to dedicating myself to learning electric guitar. I was never that interested in acoustic guitar. I liked the distortion and 
feedback and all the psychedelic effects you could get with big amps. But as soon as I was good enough to go professional I got gigs playing Carolina Beach Music with groups like the Showmen, The Coasters and the Marvelettes as an 18 year old kid rocker. It was money and a great learning experience but I wanted to rock!
About that same time I went to the Greensboro Coliseum one night and saw Mothers Finest opening for Robin Trower and Angel. I have never seen any band make such an impact on an audience to this day as did Mothers Finest that night. I simply worshiped them from that moment on. Later I moved into the Atlanta rock circuit playing in a band called PG-13 with Jesse James Dupree who went on to form Jackyl. We got a lot of attention and I got to meet Wyzard in Atlanta. One day Wiz called and asked if I would come to L.A. and help MF with finding a new sound and direction. I think he called the right guy because I worked my ass off to get up to speed with them and still add a new input.
AAM: You joined the band in the 80’s when Mother’s Finest tested the waters with a new line up- what was it like for you in those early days to be propelled to stardom and also- how difficult was it to be a part of the “new” MF?
JH-It is incredibly difficult to join a legendary band with an existing loyal fan base. Everyone misses the one you are replacing. The press can be the most harsh. I had to just not think about it and look at the new fans I was getting that liked what I was doing. There were criticisms like "The new sound is too heavy “or its too rocky” but now those same people say my first two albums are their 
favorites. But we did get a new fan base of more metalized young people.
AAM: For most of the 1970s, Mother's Finest was known as the most dangerous opening act in rock, blowing away headliners like Aerosmith, Frank Marino & Mahogany Rush, and Ted Nugent… then after conquering Europe with Rockplast - MF surged to a whole other level of cult status… can you tell us the most memorable stage performance for you?
JH-I love the European Festivals .Those are the most memorable cause we are hanging out backstage with Santana or Kiss or Aerosmith and that is really special. Occasionally on those big shows I would set my guitar on fire so news would get around to the big guys and then later they might have a conversation with me. I am not such a poser now.
AAM: What guitar legends or unknowns inspired you and your playing?
JH-The legends that inspired me were Hendrix, Jeff Beck and Santana and Les Paul. My favorite underground guys were Chris Spedding, Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe and Eddie Hazel of Funkadelic
AAM: What is your axe of choice?
JH-I like Les Pauls a lot because of their full sound. I like being in a three piece band the most and a Les Paul in my hands fills up the sound pretty well. I also like Stratocasters too and Jacksons with Floyd Rose tremolos.
AAM: So besides being on stage with MF you have your own side projects — tell us about those.
JH-I do have my solo band called the John Hayes Project. It is like MF meets Motorhead. I have the freedom to do things my way and express my feelings on a wide array of topics ranging from sex to drugs to rock and roll, period! I don’t like lonely love songs, just the party stuff. I also produce and write with a lot of younger artists (kids) because they are the future new artists. I try to make them forget about this Idols mentality that will kill their originality.
AAM: Could you discuss your approach to composition?
JH-When I compose I usually play and mumble some words with a cheap cassette tape recorder on, Eventually I will find a groove that feels good and a riff that is special. Then I think of something that has been on my mind. I think about stuff all the time so it’s already half written in my head. With the tape recorder constantly on I can capture this whole development as I start to tell the story of thoughts and refine and add parts of music. Then I listen back to it and make sense of it and polish the arrangement. A good song has to sound like a good song on a cheap tape before it will ever sound good in a big studio!
AAM: You are the quintessential traveling man… Could you share a funny/sad/intriguing/surprising guitar-oriented anecdote from one of your recent road trips?
JH-Traveling is a trip said an old wise man and it sure is. My strangest one was when I was flying from Amsterdam to Atlanta on September 11, THE Sept 11. It was a normal day when I left Holland and Dutch time is 6 hours earlier than E.S.T. After 6 hours in the air of a 9 hour flight the plane began to land and I was thinking "What’s up”. Suddenly we landed in some field in St. John, Newfoundland, Canada. Then more and more planes started to land around us. The pilots never told us what was happening. I had a Radio Walkman and turned on the news .By the time we landed it was all over, the Towers had fallen and everything. I along with everyone on the plane was oblivious to everything that happened as it was happening. We were all stuck in Canada for four days till all the chaos settled down. THAT was a trip!
AAM: How are the audiences and clubs different in Europe vs. the US?
JH-I really have noticed the audiences all over the world are basically the same. American audiences do holler and scream the most. Also only in America do girls pull up their tops and flash their boobs. The German audiences clap really loud and long after the song is over. But those are only small differences.
AAM: Which songs give you the most pleasure to perform live? And why?
JH-My favorite songs to play live are the ballads or power ballads. You can start the song out slow and tender, then build it up to a climax that will give the audience chill bumps.
AAM: Austrian guitarist Markus Reuter once said. “Too many people write music that is easy to play, for me, the real creative challenge lies in pursuing something I wouldn’t typically attempt.” – What are your thoughts on this subject?
JH-Everyone approaches the inspiration objective differently. I don’t make music for musicians, and I don’t care about musician’s opinions about music. All I care about is the average listener, especially females. If girls like it the guys will too. If only guys like it your girl will tell you to turn it off. So keep it simple and sexy and fun.
AAM: A lot of great bands have come and gone in the time you’ve been in the scene, yet MF has proven longevity can happen. Are there any bands out now that you think can last 30+ years?
JH-Most bands break up over money or drug habits. Sometimes the money spoils everything about music. The music business is designed to feed a corporate budget and pay artists a small percentage. It’s great when you are on top and are the flavor of the day but a real drag when your popularity declines. It is far cooler to remain a legendary artist than to become a sellout. The whole thing with Idols is crap too. It is just not that easy to have what it takes to be a legitimate artist. No, not many or probably none of the bands that are out there now will be around like Mothers Finest. That also gives us a very special place in the market.
AAM: More than almost any band, MF has always seemed to have a profound respect and a close relationship with your fans… how does that work?
JH-Well it’s easy to create that love. Be straight when you play and look the audience in the eyes and smile while you play your ass off. The connection is made and the audience sends it energy back and it circulates till the end of a great show.
AAM: What’s turning YOU on musically right now?
JH-My favorite new groups I am listening to are The Ting Tings. MGMT, N.E.R.D., Danko Jones and the Raconteurs.
AAM: Final thoughts for our readers?
JH- My final thoughts are wishing everyone to have fun and go out more and meet people. This internet stuff is nice but it doesn’t replace going out to a good concert or club and laughing with friends. I really miss cigarettes in bars and I am not a big smoker but how many non smokers go to bars anyway?? I just don’t want the party scene to fade away, or at least not till I am gone!
Thanks John for your time and for the music... For more information on JOHN, The John Hayes Project or Mothers Finest go to www.myspace.com/johnhayesproject, www.mothersfinest.com
