Hairy: The Beards play in Geelong next week.
Erin Pearson
WEARING facial hair is a bit like owning a pet dog, according to The Beards’ Nathaniel Beard.
Any man with a beard must “take it for a walk like a dog to get the wind rushing through its hair”, he explained.
Beard spoke to the Independent as his four-piece concept band continued travelling the world encouraging men to grow “serious” facial hair.
The band had stood idle too long watching Movember participants simply grow moustaches, he said.
“We formed The Beards to represent the bearded man, who often finds himself oppressed and that it’s harder to find work or a partner when simply doing what comes naturally.
“Beards are natural and good and shouldn’t be associated with poor hygiene or criminal behaviour.”
Nathaniel said the band wanted to shatter beard “preconceptions”.
“We often see men at our shows chastising people with smaller beards but we say it’s not about the size of your beard, it’s that you have one in the first place that matters.
“We must stand together in unity. The band asks that bearded people set a good example in the way they live their lives and look at helping ladies across the street and giving their time for the greater good.”
Beard said the band formed for a once-off performance in home town Adelaide to raise funds for Movember.
The Beards had since travelled across Australia to the UK and America.
“Over the past five years we’ve been spreading our message as far as we possibly can,” Beard said.
The band’s achievements include performing at Alaska’s World Beard and Moustache Championships, recording two studio albums, releasing a DVD and earning national airplay with If Your Dad Doesn’t Have a Beard You’ve Got Two Mums.
Beard said the Alaskan championships was a highlight.
“It was great walking down the street because when you saw other bearded men you’d just nod at each other – it was like being in beard utopia.
“It was the world we all dream of. We don’t just have beards, we live beards.”
He explained the range of Beard styles including Ned Kelly, Musketeer, Alaskan Whaler and Mutton Chops
“At the moment I have a full bush ranger-style beard and on either side there are two plats,” he said.
“It’s Viking meets bush ranger.”
The Beards play at Geelong’s National Hotel on November 6.
