My first exposure to the “Oils” was through a CD music store that a friend had hired me to mind for a few hours a week. It was a dream come true…the job I mean.

Although teens would normally consider this to be their dream job, I was in my twenties and since it was a part time post… food, shelter and clothing was covered off by my corporate real job (Yes, I wore a suit). Hang out, listen to music and get paid….hmmm…OK!

Enough about you Momo, what about the “oils”? Ahhh…yes. Head Injuries (released in 1979) was the first album I listened to. Cold Cold Change with its striking bass driven energy opened and I was hooked. Look, Peter Garrett had hair back then! Naked Flame is my favorite from this release “I open my mouth and some idiot speaks”. Since the album was an import it was a pricey $21…I listened at first only on my shifts at the store.

I raise Midnight Oil for a couple of reasons:

• I love this band (do I need more than this?).
• A brief Re-union 14 March 2009 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground supporting the Victoria Bushfire Disaster (February 2009) relief. Timeliness.
  
• Many of their albums have been re-mastered in the past year or two including Diesel and Dust (always a cause for celebration!).
• A hard rock sound that did NOT include a singer with devil voice (no false worship of dark forces).
• This was a band that was ALWAYS willing to take on the tough issues including anti-nuclear, environmentalist and indigenous causes.
• An intense live performance driven by the messages of the causes.
• I also want to begin a “Remembering” set of posts to discuss the roots of my love for music. Did I mention that I love these guys!?!?

Live Performances you say? Yep, sadly I did not get an opportunity to see them live. However, the band released a VCR video back in 1990 Black Rain Falls protesting the Exxon Valdez oil spill. The scene is a documentary style film capturing a flatbed truck rolling up to Exxon Headquaters in Manhattan. Midnight Oil was performing on the back of the truck. The film captures the office workers pouring out of the buildings to get a look see. Peter Garrett, with his imposingly odd frame, bald head and massive hands leads the charge. Between sets he tears into the horror and irresponsibility of Exxon with an eloquence only Peter can deliver…”I love it when the suits clap”. Sadly, I have not seen a DVD version of this performance issued. Man, I miss these guys!

Perhaps the Rhino Records folks will put a package together along with Black Rain Falls included in a video section…Rhino?!?!?!?

Tony Momo - Speak ya mind!

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