Midnight Oil
Formed in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1975, and known as Farm, this strident band has pioneered its own course in Australian rock without relying on the established network of agencies and record companies. The original nucleus of the band comprised Martin Rotsey (guitar), Rob Hirst (drums) and Jim Moginie (guitar). They were later joined by law student Peter Garrett (lead vocals). The outfit became notorious for always insisting on total control over its recorded product and media releases, including photos, and when booking agencies denied the band gigs, the members organized their own venues and tours, taking advantage of the group's large following on the alternative rock scene. Joined by Dwayne 'Bones' Hillman (bass) in 1977 and changing their name to Midnight Oil, the group took a couple of album releases to refine its songwriting style, principally by Moginie and Hirst. As HEAD INJURIES went gold in Australia, the imposing shaven-headed Garrett, who had by now received his law degree, began to make known his firm views on politics. Having signed a world-wide deal with CBS/Columbia, it was 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, which saw the band gain mainstream radio airplay. Featuring songs about the environment, anti-nuclear sentiments, anti-war songs and powerful anthems of anti-establishment; it also propelled the band into the international market place. The band performed at many charity concerts, promoting Koori (Australian aborigines) causes in Australia and the loquacious Garrett almost gained a seat in the Australian Parliament in 1984 while standing for the Nuclear Disarmament Party. The following album saw the band tour the USA and Europe, and Rolling Stone writers voted the album one of the best of 1989, despite a low profile there. While many regard RED SAILS IN THE SUNSET as their best work, the subsequent albums have been equally highly regarded. The group's peak album chart positions in the UK and USA were achieved with DIESEL AND DUST reaching the UK Top 20 and US number 21, while in the US the follow-up, BLUE SKY MINING emulated that position. The group continued its antagonistic attitude towards major industrial companies in 1990, by organizing a protest concert outside the Manhattan offices of the Exxon oil company which was responsible for the Valdez oil slick in Alaska.