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Asbury Park has drawn many creative personalities to its city limits and John Hawksby of Freehold is the latest to land on Bond between Bangs and Summerfield avenues.

The avid surfer/entrepreneur will open Talking Heads Barber Shop Tuesday at 415 Bond Avenue.

Hawksby has 15 years of experience, getting his start at Freehold’s Joe’s Barber Shop before helping to open a number of other shops in the western Monmouth County region.

“I consider cutting hair an art,” he said. “I took a year and a half off and started a little driving chauffer service but now I’m going back to my roots.”

Hawksby’s philosophy – when you feel good you carry yourself with confidence, and with confidence, the universe has a tendency of opening up for you.

With a nod to the old-school barbershop, Hawksby aims to provide the plethora of modern day cuts donning the creative personalities who live and frequent town.

“The types of cuts have definitely changed,” Hawksby said. “There is more of a creative aspect now with all sorts of fades, pompadours, and hair colors. Today’s barbershop is not just about a buzz or a comb over – there is a wide range of cuts now – it’s just anything goes.”

But that anything goes is steeped in traditions from the 1940s to 60s, he said.

“Really nothing is really new,” Hawksby said. “It’s history just repeating itself – the short on the sides and long on the top look.”

Hence the revitalization of the barbershop, he said.

“The whole barber shop scene is making a comeback,” Hawksby said. “In the 1980s and 90s it was more about the salon experience but now the barbershop is the new age men’s salon. Men are starting, especially in the tristate area, to care about their hair a lot.”

Hawksby’s vision is to practice his craft in a creative and relaxed atmosphere with great music and conversation, he said.

“I just want the haircuts to speak for themselves,” he said. “But it is more of an experience now with the creams and gels. It’s not just a haircut because a lot of barbering is about the talking with people and getting to know them. The barber is more of a psychiatrist who you can talk politics with. It should be fun.”

Hawksby is not only moving his business east but also plans on settling here.

“I love the hip artsy scene here and the whole creative aspect of Asbury Park,” he said. “I like to surf and want to be the ocean.

The barbershop will feature men’s haircuts, shaves, beard trims and shape ups. The weekends will open for women’s cuts and colors. Online bookings are available.

Talking Heads Barber Shop is located at 415 Bond Street. Hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 732-988-4295 [HAWK], or visit the website and Facebook page.

[Photos courtesy of John Hawksby]

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