Midnight Oil

The ‘Oil’s were just about my favourite band when I was in high school during the late 80’s/early 90’s. I saw them live at least five times including at the Newcastle earthquake relief concert.

Their drummer - Rob Hirst - inspired me, along with I’d say many other young Aussie males, to pick up the sticks when I was younger. These days I play guitar - similarly, their guitarists, Martin Rotsey and Jim Mogine are two of my favourite guitarists of all time - I have learnt a number of their guitar riffs - they wrote very catchy and often complex riffs which are so fun to play once you put the effort in to learn them.

They never disappoint live, they read audiences so well and seem to know the right song to play at the right time, they wrote poignant lyrics and great riffs. I sometimes wish they could have had modern day sound production capabilities at their fingertips to use on their earlier recordings.

Favourite Albums: Blue Sky Mining, Diesel and Dust, 10-1, Read Sails, Place Without a Postcard, Species Deceases, Bird Noises.

All time great rock band. Between 79 and 90 released six albums and an ep (Species Deceases) all of which I'd rate around a 9 or better. Off the top of my head post Beatles only Led Zeppelin and Radiohead would equal or better that. Growing up in rural Australia they were musical heroes.

From zags7000 08/18/2015 09:19 | #147908

Surprisingly consistent. During the 80's and early 90's it strong albums were followed by equally strong albums. I wouldn't say they're my favorite but you won't find much wrong either. Just a solid good band.

From junodog4 10/04/2012 17:17 | #51729

These were the first guys I heard as a kid where I recognized biting political lyrics. I wish more bands had the social conscience of Midnight Oil. To top it off, these guys were decent and songcraft as well.

One of Australia's best, saw them many times live in the 80's & were electric.