From an early age, Jeff was fascinated with music. The old electric organ his parents bought would be the first real musical instrument to catch his attention. Though at the age of 7, he could bearly reach the foot pedals. It held his interests for a while until he found an old acoustic guitar for $3, in a Uniting Church op-shop.
The guitar took the back shelf in Jeff's life for many years as things inevitably do. But it was always there, waiting for the day he would return to his musical dreams.
It wasn’t until he left school and got a job in a supermarket that Jeff decided to search out his musical curiosity again. This time however, he found his kinship in his music. He discovered he had something to say. Together with his dark poems full of teen angst, his original music started to take form.
Jeff had never had any formal training in music or in writing but with the help and guidance of good friends such as Paul Irvine (13 Minutes co-writer) and Paul's cousin and Jeff's best friend, Andrew Williams, they formed the band "6 First Ave" (named after the house Jeff and Andy shared).
They wrote a stack of really pumping tunes together, although they never released any of their songs (though some were recorded). Paul had ambitions to travel and Andrew was getting married. Jeff continued to perform some of the 6 First Ave songs and has fond memories of playing with his first band.
Jeff quit his depressing service cashier job to pursue a solo career further. He played many shows in his home town of Mandurah, as well as venues such as MOJO's (Fremantle), The Ravenswood Hotel (Ravenswood), The Tea Rooms (Rottnest Island), The Swan Basement (North Fremantle) and The Grovsner Hotel (Perth). As well as small shows, Jeff played The Channel 7 Crab Fest three years in a row and had a permanent weekly slot at the Slug n Hare Ale House with fellow musician Phil Tyrell (Mandurah).
During his time as a solo artist he played a few shows with fellow local musicians Gary Catteral (bass) and Steve Gannon (drums). They would be known, for lack of a better name, as "The Jeff Hayman Band". They played a few shows but disbanded so Gary and Steve could travel with their other band, "Front Row Centre".
After hearing some of the home recordings Jeff had dome on his laptop, local recording studio owner and guitarist of "Head Honcho!!", Dave Feenstra, asked if Jeff could help as a freelance sound engineer. Jeff recorded and mixed many bands including his own music over the one year period, as well as continuing to play live shows at night.
After 3 years getting by as a independent solo artist living off of his musical income, Jeff fell in love with the girl of his dreams. Chantal lived in Holland however, so Jeff decided to put his musical career on hold and take up job as a night filler. Before long Jeff was in Holland with his sweetheart and travelling back and forth between countries.
As of this moment, Jeff is currently enjoying a one year working holiday in Holland. He hopes he can share his music with the people in the country he has made his second home.
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