The band split in 2002 to allow Garrett to focus on his political career. He became a member of the Australian House of Representatives and the was the Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts from 2007-2010. From 2010, he was the Australian Minister for Education. Garrett did not stand for re-election in 2013. The band has reunited since then for two benefit concerts: the 2005 WaveAid concert for Indian Ocean Tsunami victims and in March 2009 the band reformed for two shows in Canberra as a warm up for "Sound Relief" in Melbourne, a benefit concert for the Victorian Bushfire victims.
The Oils, as they are known to their fans, began as a progressive rock band called Farm in the early 1970s, then under the Midnight Oil name developed a reputation as an impressive and hard-working live act associated with the surfing community of Sydney. They became one of Australia's most respected bands, known for their live performances, and also for their activism and support for community groups and causes.
Midnight Oil's first two albums Midnight Oil and Head Injuries were originally released on an independent label, followed by the EP Bird Noises in 1980. Their third album, Place without a Postcard, was recorded in Great Britain with the respected producer Glyn Johns (Led Zeppelin, The Who) on the back of a brief tour of the UK.
Their fourth album, 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 (spoken as "10 to 1"), marked both the Oil's major Australian breakthrough and the beginning of their successful association with producer Nick Launay. This album also saw considerable success in the college radio scene of the US, prompting a tour of North America.
Following on from 10-1, the Oils with Nick Launay recorded the fifth album Red Sails in the Sunset during a three month stint in Tokyo in 1984, becoming the first known western band to record an entire album in Japan. Red Sails was reasonably successful in Australia, featuring songs like Best of Both Worlds and Kosciuszko, but the album's quirky, experimental sound failed to make major inroads overseas. Also during 1984, frontman Peter Garrett was narrowly defeated in an election for the New South Wales, representing the Nuclear Disarmament Party (NDP).
In 1985, following the release of the EP Species Deceases the Oils embarked on a career-changing tour of remote Aboriginal communities of outback Australia with legendary Aboriginal group, the Warumpi Band. The tour led to the recording of Midnight Oil's major international breakthrough success Diesel and Dust, released in 1987 which featured their biggest international hit Beds Are Burning. The following album Blue Sky Mining, released in 1990 had two songs that topped the US Modern Rock charts, Blue Sky Mine and Forgotten Years. Both Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining were produced with Warne Livesey.
Between 1988 and 1992, the band's Diesel and Dust and Blue Sky Mining discs became known worldwide, as did their political activism for causes ranging from nuclear disarmament to aboriginal rights and environmental issues. Their subsequent albums sold less well outside Australia, but the Oils maintained a following throughout the 1990s and into the new century.
The Midnight Oil lineup remained quite stable over the band's long career: Garrett as lead singer and harmonica, Jim Moginie on guitar and keyboards, Martin Rotsey on guitar, and Rob Hirst on drums. Andrew (Bear) James, the first bass player, left in 1980 due to ill health. Peter Gifford replaced him and in turn quit the band in 1987 citing the pressures of touring. New Zealander Bones Hillman, (ex Swingers) replaced him, and remained with the group until its dissolution in 2002. Gary Morris was the band's manager and effective sixth member (often credited with the simple title "Business, no singing" on albums) throughout.
In 2004 Peter Garrett was elected to Federal Parliament as the Labor member for Kingsford-Smith in Sydney. In November 2007 he became Minister for Arts in the Australian government as a member of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's front bench. He retired from Parliament in 2013. Jim Moginie continues his involvement with music through his own band, The Family Dog and as a producer for artists such as Sarah Blasko. Rob Hirst is also involved with several musical projects such as Hirst and Greene, Ghostwriters, The Angry Tradesmen and The Backsliders. Moginie, Hirst and Martin Rotsey continue to play and record together in instrumental band The Break.
The band reformed in 2016, launched a world tour in 2017 and released the live album Armistice Day: Live at the Domain, Sydney with an accompanying film. 2020 saw the release of the mini-album called The Makarrata Project. Bass guitarist Bones Hillman died on 7 November 2020 of cancer. On 18 May 2021, the band announced their upcoming thirteenth album, Show of Hands, the last recordings to feature Hillman. The first single, released on 28 October, was Rising Seas.
Gravelrash
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
People dropping dirt bombs everywhere.
When you smell that asphalt grin
And you feel it burn your skin
Its gravelrash!
Burning on your ass
Gravelrash.
stay away from those cheap mopeds
Dangerous on the road protect your head
Enjoy the sun the beach and the smiles
Beware the sand on the corner arhh!
Its Gravelrash!
Burning my ass
Gravelrash oh yeah!
Woo hooo! alright!
Gravelrash.
Thank You Goodnight.
"Gravelrash" is a song by Australian rock band Midnight Oil, released in 1984. The song is an energetic and fun-filled warning about the dangers of skating, biking, or riding mopeds on roads and streets. The lyrics speak of the perils of riding on roads and pavements where dirt and gravel can be thrown up and cause painful and dangerous injuries. The song warns that the heat from the asphalt, in combination with the skin burn from the dirt and gravel, will cause an injury known as gravel rash. The chorus is also a playful tribute to the pain of a fall, with the singer exclaiming that it is burning on their ass. The song urges listeners to be cautious and protect their heads while enjoying the outdoors.
Line by Line Meaning
Skating down the street just beware;
Be cautious when skating down the street;
People dropping dirt bombs everywhere.
People throwing dirt on the road;
When you smell that asphalt grin
When you sense the smell of burning asphalt;
And you feel it burn your skin
And you feel the burning sensation on your skin;
Its gravelrash!
It's the painful abrasion caused by falling on gravel;
Burning on your ass
Causing a painful sensation on your buttocks;
stay away from those cheap mopeds
Avoid riding inexpensive mopeds;
Dangerous on the road protect your head
They can be dangerous on the road, so protect yourself with a helmet;
Enjoy the sun the beach and the smiles
Have fun at the beach and enjoy the sunny weather;
Beware the sand on the corner arhh!
Be careful of the sand on the road corners;
Gravelrash oh yeah!
Painful abrasions caused by falling on gravel are no fun;
Woo hooo! alright!
An expression of excitement and approval;
Gravelrash.
Painful abrasions caused by falling on gravel;
Thank You Goodnight.
Expression of gratitude and farewell at the end of a show.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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