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.
Powderworks
Midnight Oil Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I feel it coming soon
There's a time and a place
And a moment in space
When the fat boys call the tune
There's a bubble a bouncing
And it's bouncing my way
There's two sticks in the powderworks
There's a shit storm a'coming
Somebody's claiming some i.o.u.'s
Because the animal's back
With the man intact
They had a gun at my head
And a knife at my back
Don't wind me up too tight
I've been had by the balls all my life
I'm in no mood now
To stop dead and talk it over
I don't need no fire and brimstone warning
I've been a long time punching bag
I won't run no race where there ain't no prize
Take a look at my face
Can't you see this ain't no lies
There's a hit storm a coming
They're getting in for one free bite
I was taken by surprise
By the glint in the eyes of a sweet campaign
Smelling strongly of lies
You're the original Mr. Clean
But the closeups make you look awful mean
You're just a con man raving saying nothing new
(Hirst/Moginie/Rotsey/James)
The song Powderworks by Midnight Oil is a commentary on the economic and political system of Australia. The band paints a picture of how the fat cats control the system and how the working-class people are at their mercy. The lyrics are a warning that a revolution is imminent and the oppressed masses will no longer tolerate their suffering. The "shit storm" refers to the uprising of the underprivileged.
The first verse warns of the impending explosion of the powder keg that is Australia's system. The imagery of a "bubble bouncing" and "two sticks in the powderworks" symbolizes the potential for violent upheaval. The "fat boys" who "call the tune" are the decision makers who have the power to defuse the situation but choose not to.
The second verse speaks of the betrayal by those in power. The animal, representing the masses, is back, but this time it's with the man, representing the corrupt leaders. The animal has the gun of violence pointed at his head and the knife of betrayal at his back. The singer warns the leaders not to push too hard or there will be no turning back. The final verse is a warning to those in power that the people will no longer accept the status quo. The singer refuses to be a punching bag any longer, and his face shows the truth of his words.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a shit storm a'coming
An intense trouble or problem is approaching.
I feel it coming soon
I have sensed it and I know it is not far away.
There's a time and a place
A specific instance and location.
And a moment in space
A crucial point at which events happen or come together.
When the fat boys call the tune
It is the people in power who are in control.
There's a bubble a bouncing
An unstable situation is building and its intensity is increasing.
And it's bouncing my way
It is moving dangerously and quickly towards me.
There's two sticks in the powderworks
Things are on the verge of exploding and there are few necessary catalysts to cause it to go off.
I think it's gonna blow today
I believe that the moment for it to erupt is today.
Somebody's claiming some i.o.u.'s
Someone is collecting debts/credits.
Because the animal's back
Since the dangerous or immoral activity is back in action.
With the man intact
And there is a living being controlling it.
They had a gun at my head
I was being threatened.
And a knife at my back
The danger is lurking right behind me.
Don't wind me up too tight
Do not push me to my limit and provoke me.
I've been had by the balls all my life
I have been unfairly or ruthlessly manipulated during all of my existence.
I'm in no mood now
I am not up for listening now.
To stop dead and talk it over
I don't want to have a conversation right now.
I don't need no fire and brimstone warning
I don't require any further alert or warning.
I've been a long time punching bag
I have been mistreated for a long time.
I won't run no race where there ain't no prize
I won't do anything that doesn't promise a reward or benefit.
Take a look at my face
Observe my countenance.
Can't you see this ain't no lies
You can tell what I am expressing are the genuine facts.
They're getting in for one free bite
Somebody is eyeing an opportunity to make money at someone else's expense.
I was taken by surprise
I was caught off guard.
By the glint in the eyes of a sweet campaign
Charismatic or persuasive behavior amounts to nothing more than deceit.
Smelling strongly of lies
The behavior of this individual reeks of dishonesty.
You're the original Mr. Clean
People perceive you to be morally upright or sinless.
But the closeups make you look awful mean
A closer look at your actions or behavior shows that you are truly ruthless.
You're just a con man raving saying nothing new
You are no different from a phony salesman trying to sell his wares.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANDREW JAMES, JAMES MOGINIE, MARTIN ROTSEY, PETER GARRETT, ROBERT HIRST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind