Midnight Oil were an Australian alternative rock band from Sydney originally
performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James
and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie. While vocalist Peter Garrett was
studying at Australian National University in Canberra, he answered an
advertisement for a spot in Farm, and by 1975 the band was touring the east coast. By
late 1976, Garrett moved to Sydney to complete his law degree, and Farm changed its
name to Midnight Oil by drawing the name out of a hat.
Midnight Oil established their own record label Powderworks,which released their
debut eponymous album in November 1978, and their first single "Run by Night"
followed in December. Through a long and distinguished career, the band became
known for its driving hard-rock sound, intense live performances and political
activism, particularly in aid of anti-nuclear, environmentalist and indigenous causes.
performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James
and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie. While vocalist Peter Garrett was
studying at Australian National University in Canberra, he answered an
advertisement for a spot in Farm, and by 1975 the band was touring the east coast. By
late 1976, Garrett moved to Sydney to complete his law degree, and Farm changed its
name to Midnight Oil by drawing the name out of a hat.
Midnight Oil established their own record label Powderworks,which released their
debut eponymous album in November 1978, and their first single "Run by Night"
followed in December. Through a long and distinguished career, the band became
known for its driving hard-