THE Beards may be saying goodbye to performing and making songs about facial hair, but that doesn't mean their quest for global domination is over.

After speaking with John Beardman Junior last week, the band is simply shifting their focus from brainwashing through song and live shows, to what John called "Phase Two".

"Looking back at when we started the world is a much different place," he said proudly.

"There are much more beards around now than there used to be. There's beards everywhere. There's bearded men as checkout operators even. And that's really what we set out to do, it used to be hard to get a job with a beard and you'd have to justify your beard to your family or girlfriend."

Declaring that their pro-beard movement had achieved all it could through the medium of live performance, The Beards will be calling an end to their hard-touring ways by announcing a huge Farewell Tour for 2016.

The band have been touring throughout Australia, performing two sets jam-packed with pro-beard anthems from their impressive five album back-catalogue, incorporating both the stripped-back acoustic sound that saw them crack Triple J's Hottest 100, and the infectious pop-rock that has won them a legion of fans worldwide.

While the band have stated that they will continue to actively propagate a pro-beard agenda, they will be hanging up their touring hat indefinitely, and fans in all states and territories will have one last chance to get a dose of pro-beard activist rock.

Reflecting on some of their accolades over the years, John said there had been many.

"We've had people coming up to us at gigs saying 'look at this beard, it's because I heard of you guys', so it's been really good," he said.

"It's been fantastic, we've travelled to so many great places and played in font of some excellent bearded crowds. Playing at The World Beard and Moustache Championships would have to be a highlight as well.

"Growing a beard instantly fills you with this sense of all-encompassing bliss."

Performing at Rockhampton's Lionleigh Hotel on May 12, The Beards are no stranger to Central Queensland.

"There are a lot of Queenslanders with excellent beards," he said.

"You'd think there wouldn't be many because of the heat up there, but it just means they're more dedicated than people in cooler areas."

Although they may be saying farewell to what fans know them as now, John says they promise to return, just in a different capacity.

"We've had a few sad fans obviously and we're a little bit sad about it, but Phase Two domination of the world is coming, so we've got that look to forward to," he laughed.

"We definitely need more beardless people hearing our message, so we encourage them to come along to our show, but just don't look us directly in the eyes."

IF YOU GO

WHEN: Thursday, May 12, from 7pm

WHERE: The Lionleigh Hotel, Rockhampton,

TICKETS: $30 + BF

CONTACT: Visit thelionleigh.com.au or phone 4922 3429