81-499: Return Home is a 1990 Australian drama film directed by Ray Argall . Argall won the AFI Award for Best Director in 1990 and Frankie J. Holden was nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role. Noel McKenzie is a successful but divorced insurance broker in Melbourne. He returns briefly to hometown Adelaide where his brother Steve operates a traditional service station and workshop. Steve has
162-606: A Nuclear Disarmament Party (NDP) candidate for a NSW seat in the Australian Senate during the December 1984 federal election , Garrett obtained 9.6% of votes but was unable to obtain the required quota of 12.5%. In April 1985, Garrett, with some 30 other members, walked out of the national conference and resigned from the NDP claiming it had been infiltrated by a Trotskyist group. Although unsuccessful in that federal election, Garrett
243-406: A cinematographer on many other music videos, including those for Hunters and Collectors , I'm Talking , Cold Chisel , and Men at Work and as an editor and cinematographer for independent filmmakers on shorts, documentaries and feature films, while continuing to make his own short dramas. Argall's most notable collaborations in this period were with directors Brian McKenzie and Ian Pringle . In
324-528: A cult following in their homeland despite a lack of mainstream media acceptance. The band achieved greater popularity throughout Australasia with the release of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (1982) – which spawned the singles " Power and the Passion " and " US Forces " – and also began to attract an audience in the United States. They achieved their first Australian number one album in 1984 with Red Sails in
405-536: A formidable album chart presence in Australia until their 2002 disbandment. The group held concerts sporadically during the remainder of the 2000s and announced a full-scale reformation in 2016. The band released their 15th and final studio album, Resist , on 18 February 2022, and announced an accompanying tour. The band's music often broaches political subjects, and they have lent their support to multiple causes. They have won eleven ARIA Awards and were inducted into
486-764: A goal finally achieved in 2015 after several years of effort. In line with the ADG's understanding of the increasing impact on Australian screen of globalisation, Argall officially represented Australia in the founding of the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity in Seville in 2007 and became the Asia Pacific member of the Federation Board. During Argall's presidency the ADG maintained relationships with overseas directors’ organisations, notably through
567-501: A happy family life but is struggling to compete with more modern gas stations with convenience stores and self-service bowsers. Over time the brothers reconcile to each other’s life choices and recognise value in the family life they had in the suburb they grew up in. Joe Camilleri appears as a busking friend of Noel. The film was funded by the Australian Film Commission and Film Victoria with no private investment. It
648-550: A loose, raw style with almost a low-key sound. It peaked at No. 3 on the ARIA albums chart, and had Top 40 success in New Zealand and Switzerland. They returned to No. 1 on the ARIA albums charts with the compilation 20,000 Watt R.S.L. in 1997 on Sony Records , which achieved 4×Platinum sales. Later album releases include the electro tinged hard rock Redneck Wonderland in 1998, live album The Real Thing in 2000 and
729-604: A reputation as one of the toughest managers and became notorious for banning critics or journalists, who were usually given free admission to concerts, for writing unfavourable reviews. Writer and critic Bruce Elder , in a mid-1980s newspaper review described their music as "narrow and xenophobic" and declared Midnight Oil were: "a kind of antipodean pub rock version of Queen [...] life-denying, sexist, secular and bigoted [...] endless touting of Australia and all things Australian" In retaliation, Morris banned Elder from Oils shows permanently. Elder later recanted, describing them as
810-569: A side project called Ghostwriters . The name refers to the practice of ghostwriting , wherein famous writers contribute under assumed names in order to remain anonymous. Ghostwriters' line-ups – both live and in the studio – changed considerably through the years, with only founders Hirst and Grossman being mainstays. Between successive album releases Hirst and Grossman returned to active involvement with Oils and Gurus respectively. Ghostwriters have released Ghostwriters (1991), Second Skin (1996), Fibromoon (1999) and Political Animal (2007). At
891-962: A spot in Farm, and by 1975 the band had started touring the east coast of Australia. By late 1976 Garrett had moved to Sydney to complete his law degree, and Farm changed its name to Midnight Oil by drawing the name out of a hat. The name was coined by Peter Watson, a short-term keyboard player with Farm. Important to their development was manager Gary Morris, who successfully negotiated favourable contracts with tour promoters and record companies and frustrated rock journalists. Guitarist Martin Rotsey joined in 1977 and Midnight Oil, with Morris, established their own record label, Powderworks, which released their debut eponymous album in November 1978. Their first single "Run by Night" followed in December. Founding bass-guitarist James, forced to leave due to illness in 1980,
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#1732869800876972-427: A working relationship with McKenzie which has continued for over thirty years, Argall has taken various roles on both McKenzie's documentaries and his dramas. Argall was cinematographer on all of Pringle's distinctive feature films which were well received at prestigious European Film Festivals, including Cannes and Berlin . Argall's work on these films garnered him a number of cinematography awards, most notably from
1053-528: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Ray Argall Raymond Charles Argall AM (born 31 May 1957) is best known as a cinematographer and director for both film and television. He has also worked as an editor. His multi-award-winning feature film Return Home (1990) is regarded by many critics as an Australian cinema classic. Argall served on the board of the Australian Directors Guild (ADG) for sixteen years, holding
1134-508: The Sight & Sound film polls of that year. It is held every ten years to select the greatest films of all time, by asking contemporary directors to select ten films of their choice. Argall selections were: Midnight Oil Midnight Oil (known informally as " The Oils ") are an Australian rock band composed of Peter Garrett (vocals, harmonica), Rob Hirst (drums), Jim Moginie (guitar, keyboard) and Martin Rotsey (guitar). The group
1215-651: The 1984 federal election , Garrett had stood for the Australian Senate under the Nuclear Disarmament Party banner and narrowly lost. He won the seat of Kingsford Smith at the 2004 General Election for the Australian Labor Party and was selected as Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Heritage and the Arts. On Thursday, 29 November 2007, Prime Minister elect Kevin Rudd named Garrett as Minister for
1296-658: The ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006. Midnight Oil's legacy has grown since the late 1970s, with the outfit being cited as an influence, and their songs covered , by numerous popular artists. Aside from their studio output, the group are celebrated for their energetic live performances, which showcase the frenetic dancing of Garrett. Guardian writer Andrew Street described Midnight Oil as "one of Australia's most beloved bands". While studying at Australian National University in Canberra, vocalist Peter Garrett answered an advertisement for
1377-737: The Australian Cinematographers Society which honoured him with accreditation in 1989. In this same year, Argall wrote and directed his first feature film Return Home . On its release in 1990, Return Home was met with widespread critical acclaim, receiving that year's Best Director award from the Australian Film Institute and the awards for Best Director and Best Film from the Film Critics Circle of Australia . It screened at Berlin , Edinburgh , Seattle and other international Festivals. Return Home which
1458-517: The Australian Directors Guild (ADG), joining its Board in 2001. Despite increasing demands on Argall's time from the Australian Directors Guild of which he became president in 2006, he continued his screen work into the 2000s, both as a director and a cinematographer. Most notably, he was a set-up director for the ABC television series MDA (2002-2003) and as a cinematographer photographed
1539-561: The Australian Film Institute ’s Experimental Film and Television Fund. He continued making short films, including Coma (1975) and Parnassus (1977), while working as a boom swinger and assistant on other film productions and TV commercials. At this time, he also became a member of the Melbourne Filmmakers Cooperative. In 1979 Argall received a Diploma in Editing from Sydney's Australian Film & Television School (later
1620-566: The Australian Film Television and Radio School ), and in 1980 returned to Melbourne to join the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) as a sound editor. A year later, he left the ABC to form Musical Films with fellow film school graduate, producer John Cruthers. Encompassing a group of young Melbourne filmmakers, including Elisa Argenzio, Cristina Pozzan, and Daniel Scharf, Musical Films concentrated on
1701-483: The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) 1988 Awards ceremony, Midnight Oil won " Best Cover Art " for Diesel and Dust and both " Best Single " and " Best Song " for " Beds Are Burning ". A fracas developed between Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, and former Countdown compere Ian Meldrum who was presenting: Meldrum objected to Morris making political commentary from
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#17328698008761782-578: The Exxon Valdez oil spill the previous year. In February 1990, Blue Sky Mining , produced by Livesey , was released by CBS/Columbia. It peaked at No. 1 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) albums charts. It stayed at No. 1 for two weeks in Australia and had Top 5 chart success in Sweden, Switzerland and Norway. It peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard 200 and No. 28 on
1863-550: The Jimi Hendrix song " Burning of the Midnight Lamp ", although the word "oil" appears nowhere in the lyrics. The expression "midnight oil" first appeared in a 1635 poem by Francis Quarles (1592-1644): To heaven's high city I direct my journey, Whose spangled suburbs entertain mine eye. We spend our midday sweat, our midnight oil ; We tire the night in thought, the day in toil. After changing its name to Midnight Oil,
1944-459: The Stolen Generations . But he had also said their reconciliation-themed single " Beds Are Burning " was his favourite Midnight Oil song. Midnight Oil performed the song at the ceremony with the word SORRY conspicuously printed on their clothes as a form of apology to Indigenous people for their suffering under white settlement and to highlight the issue to Howard, who was in the audience at
2025-644: The Sydney Cricket Ground , also included performances by Powderfinger , Silverchair , Nick Cave , John Butler Trio , Finn Brothers , and others. On 29 October 2006, Midnight Oil was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame with ARIA chairman Denis Handlin describing them: For 30 years, on their journey from inside Sydney's Royal Antler Hotel to outside the Exxon Building in New York, the Oils have always led from
2106-555: The " Sound Relief " charity concerts, in honour of the victims of the 2009 "Black Saturday" fires in Victoria and floods in Queensland. In 2010 their album Diesel and Dust ranked no. 1 in the book The 100 Best Australian Albums by Toby Creswell , Craig Mathieson and John O'Donnell . In 1971 drummer Rob Hirst , bass guitarist Andrew James, and keyboard player /lead guitarist Jim Moginie were performing together. They adopted
2187-462: The 1990s Argall continued to work as a cinematographer while also directing for film and television, including as a set-up director for the popular 1997 ABC drama series SeaChange . He made a second feature film Eight Ball in 1991. With the birth of his children in 1990 and 1994, Argall opted for working closer to home, sharing his time between raising children and work as an independent filmmaker In this period he began to be increasingly involved in
2268-605: The 1991 ARIA Awards ceremony, Midnight Oil won ' Best Group ' and an 'Outstanding Achievement Award' and ' Best Cover Artist ', 'Best Video' and ' Album of the Year ' for Blue Sky Mining . Morris, accepting awards for Midnight Oil, was criticised for a speech lasting 20 minutes. Scream in Blue (Live) , their June 1992 live album produced by Keith Walker, contained material from concerts between 1982 and 1990, including "Progress" from their Exxon Valdez protest gig. It peaked at No. 3 on
2349-580: The 8 May 1993 episode hosted by Christina Applegate . In 1993, the band also participated in the Another Roadside Attraction tour in Canada and collaborated with The Tragically Hip , Crash Vegas , Hothouse Flowers and Daniel Lanois on the one-off single " Land " to protest forest clearing in British Columbia. Breathe was released in 1996. It was produced by Malcolm Burn and had
2430-499: The ARIA albums charts; Top 50 in Austria, Sweden and Switzerland; and appeared on the Billboard 200. Midnight Oil's Earth and Sun and Moon album, produced with Nick Launay, was released in April 1993 and also drew critical acclaim and international success, peaking at No. 2 on the ARIA albums charts, top 20 in Sweden and Switzerland, Top 50 on Billboard 200, and top thirty in
2511-635: The Aboriginal nations and the need for Reconciliation in Australia . Peter Gifford left the band before the album's release due to extensive touring schedules, and was replaced by Bones Hillman , formerly of The Swingers . Diesel and Dust peaked at No. 1 on the Australian albums charts for six weeks, No. 21 on the Billboard 200 charts in 1988, and No. 19 on the UK albums charts. " Beds Are Burning "
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2592-417: The Australian charts for 171 weeks. It retained their live energy but was more adventurous and radical than previous work. Their ascendancy was signalled by a series of concerts on the release of the album at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, one of which was filmed and recorded and later released on their 2004 Best of Both Worlds DVD. The band also played their first shows outside Australia during this time, with
2673-461: The Australian music video scene which in this era became a fertile ground for visual experimentation as well as a way for young filmmakers to earn a living. During the 1980s Argall made over 40 music videos for many of Australia's leading rock artists including Midnight Oil , Crowded House , Renee Geyer , Hoodoo Gurus , Split Enz , Models , Black Sorrows / Joe Camilleri as well as feature-length music documentaries/concert films. He worked as
2754-467: The Australian singles charts. One of its four tracks was the surf-instrumental "Wedding Cake Island" named after the rock outcrop in the ocean off Sydney's Coogee Beach . The band's third LP Place without a Postcard , released by CBS Records in November 1981, was recorded in Sussex with English producer Glyn Johns ( The Rolling Stones , The Who ). Creative tensions between the band and Johns plagued
2835-648: The Environment, Heritage and the Arts. The other members of the band continued to work together, but not under the Midnight Oil name. After a warm up gig the previous evening at the Manly-Warringah Leagues Club, the band, including Garrett, reunited to perform at the WaveAid concert on 29 January 2005 to raise funds for the victims of the 26 December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami . The concert, which took place at
2916-668: The International Association of English Speaking Directors Organisations (IAESDO). These organisations included, among others, the Directors Guild of America , the Directors Guild of Canada , and the Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand . Discussions about collaborations and events were also held with European guilds and the Federation of European Film Directors (FERA but the ADG came to believe that it did not have
2997-674: The National Coalition of Aboriginal Organisations. During 1989–1993 and 1998–2002 Garrett was the President of the Australian Conservation Foundation , whilst during 1993–1998 he was on the International Board of Greenpeace . In 1990 Midnight Oil played an impromptu lunchtime set in front of Exxon headquarters in New York with a banner reading, "Midnight Oil Makes You Dance, Exxon Oil Makes Us Sick," protesting
3078-463: The Olympic stadium as an estimated one billion people watched on television. Midnight Oil had consulted with tour mates Yothu Yindi and other Indigenous activists, so that their performance would bring popular protest to the world arena. In 2001, when Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) surveyed 100 music industry people for their Top 10 Best Australian songs of all time, "Beds Are Burning"
3159-686: The Passion" peaked at No. 8. The album also includes their denunciation of American military interference in foreign affairs in " US Forces " and their critique of imperialist repression in " Short Memory ". 10 to 1 was recorded in London during September and produced by Englishman Nick Launay , who had previously worked with acts including The Jam , XTC , Peter Gabriel , PiL , Gang of Four and The Birthday Party . Launay worked on several other major Australian recordings in this period including INXS ' The Swing , Models ' The Pleasure of Your Company and The Church 's Seance . The album remained in
3240-655: The Sunset in October 1984, which was recorded in Japan, produced by Launay again. It peaked at No. 1 for four weeks on the Australian charts, and charted on the Billboard 200. Singles from the album were released in US and UK but had no chart success. Whilst the album showed an overreliance on technical wizardry, their lyrical stance was positive. The band continued to expand their sound and explore themes of politics, consumerism, militarism,
3321-652: The Sunset , and topped their native country's singles chart for six weeks with the EP Species Deceases (1985). The group garnered worldwide attention with 1987 album Diesel and Dust . Its singles " The Dead Heart " and " Beds Are Burning " illuminated the plight of Indigenous Australians , with the latter charting at number one in multiple countries. Midnight Oil had continued global success with Blue Sky Mining (1990) and Earth and Sun and Moon (1993) – each buoyed by an international hit single in " Blue Sky Mine " and " Truganini ", respectively – and remained
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3402-552: The Top 40 in Australia. Driven largely by commercial pressures to stay with reliable chart-toppers and teenage pop sensations, the Australian music industry in the mid-1970s cast a dismissive eye toward most bands with an alternative outlook. Although consistently championed by Sydney alternative rock station Double Jay and its FM band successor Triple J, Midnight Oil were almost totally ignored by Australia's mainstream commercial radio stations in their early career. Manager Morris developed
3483-704: The Top Ten of the Australian singles chart: Aside from chart success, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) in 2001 listed both "Power and the Passion" and "Beds Are Burning" in the Top 30 best Australian songs of all time, a chart in which Midnight Oil are the only artists to feature twice. In December 2002 Garrett announced that he would seek to further his political career and Midnight Oil disbanded, but they reformed for two warm-up shows in Canberra leading up to their performance, at one of
3564-514: The UK albums chart. The single " Truganini " referenced multiple issues, including the 'last' Tasmanian Aboriginal person , the treatment of Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira , the Australian flag debate , and republicanism . Liner notes for the single claimed "Truganini was the sole surviving Tasmanian Aborigine, the last of her race, when she died in 1876." The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, representing over 7000 contemporary Tasmanians, called for
3645-520: The UK charts. The album was more defiant and outspoken; the single "Blue Sky Mine" describes asbestos exposure in the Wittenoom mine tragedy . The single peaked at No. 8 on the ARIA singles charts, top 15 in Norway and Switzerland, No. 47 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on both their Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks charts, and appeared on the UK charts. The second single, "Forgotten Years",
3726-470: The album being released in the US on Columbia Records , where it charted in 1984 on the Billboard 200 ; in the UK it was released on CBS . Midnight Oil undertook more politically motivated benefit concerts, including organising the Stop The Drop nuclear disarmament concert in 1983, which received a United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize . 10 to 1 was followed by Red Sails in
3807-459: The band was something of a new concept for the Australian music scene, and Peter Garrett quickly earned a reputation as one of the most charismatic and outspoken musicians in the country. He recalled that there were dangers in playing the pub scene: You get booked into a pub or hotel, say in the western suburbs of Sydney. Halfway through your set, two large, drunk truck drivers decide to have a fight. They're beating each other up and careening towards
3888-735: The band would reach a wider audience within the predominantly Caucasian urban centres. Midnight Oil requested that all royalties from the song go to indigenous communities . In addition, two indigenous groups, Warumpi Band and Gondwanaland, toured with them. Following the 1988 American tour in support of Diesel and Dust with Australian band Yothu Yindi , Midnight Oil launched the Building Bridges – Australia Has A Black History album with various artists contributing, including Paul Kelly , Scrap Metal , Coloured Stone, Hunters & Collectors , James Reyne , The Saints , Crowded House , INXS and Yothu Yindi. All sales proceeds were donated to
3969-464: The corner where the band is set up. Meanwhile, everyone else is going, 'Aaah, turn it down, I'm trying to watch TV.' Try to contemplate that as an environment to play music in every night for three years. Their Australian breakthrough and first international recognition came in 1982, with the release of 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 , which included the singles " Power and the Passion " and " Read about It ". The album peaked at No. 3 and "Power and
4050-420: The day of the show they were "bumped" from the line-up. Countdown required artists to mime their songs during 'live' performances, Midnight Oil and Morris insisted they perform completely live and have their sound engineer supervising – neither side backed down. According to Countdown producer Michael Shrimpton, the band had arrived late for rehearsal and, due to the show's very tight schedule and budget, there
4131-586: The four-track EP Species Deceases produced with Francois Kevorkian was released by CBS/Columbia; it peaked at No. 1 on the Australian singles charts for six weeks. Species Deceases , featuring the track "Hercules", featured a return to their pub rock sound with hard hitting firepower. Midnight Oil spent several months in 1986 on the Blackfella/Whitefella tour of outback Australia with indigenous groups Warumpi Band and Gondwanaland , playing to remote Aboriginal communities and seeing first hand
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#17328698008764212-463: The front. They spoke to us – and to the world – in a uniquely Australian way. [...] Their music speaks first – it's powerful, it's uncompromising, it's unique rock music that inspires, entertains and will last forever. [...] My favourite Oils lyric, which summarises it all is: 'It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees.' Rob Hirst , in his acceptance speech, thanked his family, bandmates, and support from fellow Australians. He also lamented
4293-523: The group began to develop an aggressive, punk-hard rock sound for their pub rock audiences. Guitarist Martin Rotsey joined in 1977 and Midnight Oil, with their manager Gary Morris, established their own record label Powderworks. In June 1978 they entered the Alberts Studio in Sydney with producer Keith Walker, from local radio station 2JJ , to record their debut eponymous album, Midnight Oil , which
4374-546: The issues. Nevertheless, "Truganini" released in March peaked at No. 10 on the ARIA singles charts, No. 10 on Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks and No. 4 on their Modern Rock Tracks charts, and top thirty for the UK charts. Peter Garrett issued an apology for the mistake in the liner notes. The band performed the song along with "My Country" from the album on the American sketch-comedy series Saturday Night Live during
4455-573: The more stripped back Capricornia in 2002 again renuniting with producer Warne Livesey , all charted into the ARIA Top Ten. Midnight Oil again brought the politics of Reconciliation to the fore during their performance at the closing ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics . Then Prime Minister John Howard had triggered controversy that year with his refusal to embrace symbolic reconciliation and apologise to Indigenous Australians and members of
4536-568: The name "Farm" in 1972, and played covers of Cream , Creedence Clearwater Revival and Led Zeppelin songs. They placed an advert for a band member; Peter Garrett (ex-Rock Island Line) became their new vocalist and synthesizer player and began introducing progressive rock elements of Focus , Jethro Tull and Yes , as well as their own material. Garrett was studying at the Australian National University in Canberra , so Farm
4617-433: The only Australian band to have developed a truly Australian sound. The frostiness of Midnight Oil's relationship with the traditional music media quickly saw the band develop a strong "street cred" and a reputation for making no compromises with the music industry. In the early 1980s the band was scheduled to appear on an episode of the all-powerful Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) TV pop show Countdown but on
4698-404: The podium. There were concerns about Diesel and Dust and Midnight Oil's attempts to express indigenous issues to white urban audiences – namely, the question "who holds the power to tell whose history?" The lyrics of "The Dead Heart" tell the story of colonisation from an indigenous point of view but some critics felt they reinforced the "primitive" stereotype . Use of the bullroarer
4779-439: The position of president from 2006 to 2015 and secretary from 2015 to 2017. In 2016, Argall launched a business restoring archival films through his production company Piccolo Films. In 2018 the ADG presented him with its prestigious Cecil Holmes Award. Ray Argall was born on 31 May 1957, at Box Hill District Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. His parents were both musicians: violinist Barbara Argall and clarinetist John Argall who
4860-459: The recording and the group were not totally happy with the outcome. Johns had an arrangement with A&M Records and they asked Midnight Oil to return to the studio to record material suitable for an American single release – they refused and returned to Australia. Place without a Postcard peaked at No. 12 on the albums charts and related singles "Don't Wanna be the One" and "Armistice Day" reached
4941-590: The resources to realise these ambitions. Argall and his wife Lucinda Clutterbuck continue to run their production company Piccolo Films, with Argall specialising in the digital scanning and restoration of archival films along with the continuation of production for the screen. The couple have two children, Lewis Argall and producer Rachel Argall who worked with her father on Midnight Oil: 1984 , released by Madman Entertainment and screened theatrically in Australian Cinemas in 2018. In 2022, Argall participated in
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#17328698008765022-438: The seriousness of the issues in health and living standards. The tour was criticised by some journalists for being a one-off event instead of a long-term attempt to build bridges between communities. The band was galvanised by the experiences and made them the basis of Diesel and Dust , released in 1987 and produced by Warne Livesey . The album focused on the need for recognition by white Australia of past injustices involving
5103-405: The show. Fans of the group were drawn to the band's "us and them" mindset, and fan loyalty to the Oils' ideas and music was fierce. Two venues at which they built significant fan bases from their early live performances were the Sydney northern beaches pub The Royal Antler at Narrabeen and the Bondi Lifesaver club near Sydney's Bondi Beach . Politically oriented rock of the style produced by
5184-649: The single to be boycotted as it perpetuated a 'white' myth about the extinction of Aboriginal Tasmanians . Their Native Title claims hinged upon establishing links with ancestral lands. Morris responded with, "My suggestion to these people is to stop shooting themselves in the foot and let a band like Midnight Oil voice its appeal to White Australia on behalf of Black Australia". Critics contended that Morris disparaged Indigenous Australians' ability to represent themselves and overestimated Midnight Oil's ambassadorial powers while diminishing their errors, while some indigenous activists saw benefit in Midnight Oil's highlighting of
5265-510: The threat of nuclear war and environmental issues. The album cover by Japanese artist Tsunehisa Kimura featured a photomontage of Sydney – both city and harbour – cratered and devastated after a hypothetical nuclear attack. Live concert footage of "Short Memory" was used in the Australian independent anti-nuclear war movie One Night Stand . A promotional video for "Best of Both Worlds", later on Best of Both Worlds , received airplay worldwide on cable music TV station MTV. Garrett ran as
5346-508: The two guitarists Moginie and Rotsey, the drumming and vocals of Hirst and the presence of the towering, bald Garrett as lead singer. The Midnight Oil LP disappointed some critics as it did not capture their powerful live performances, with undemanding playing and Garrett's vocals sounding stilted. Their second album Head Injuries , released on Powderworks in October 1979, was produced by former Supercharge member Leszek Karski. It mixed solid guitar rock with progressive flourishes and
5427-437: The widely acclaimed feature film Look Both Ways (2005), written and directed by Sarah Watt . He also continued to work in documentary and music films and with his wife, animator Lucinda Clutterbuck. During Argall's nine-year presidency and two-years as secretary of the Australian Directors Guild, he was deeply involved in its registration as an Australian trade union under the Fair Work (registered Organisations) Act 2009 ,
5508-407: Was a strict policy that latecomers were not allowed to appear; and, as such, they were told they could not perform that day. In response, the group declared that they would never appear on the show, a promise they faithfully kept. Countdown presenter Molly Meldrum shaved his head bald, imitating Garrett, for its final show on 19 July 1987 and expressed regret that Midnight Oil had never appeared on
5589-427: Was an improvement by highlighting the group's strengths and growth. It peaked at No. 36 and by mid-1980 had achieved gold status. In April 1980 founding bass guitarist Andrew James left because of ill-health and was replaced by Peter Gifford (ex-Huntress, Ross Ryan Band). Further interest in Midnight Oil was generated by the popular Bird Noises EP , also produced by Karski, which peaked at No. 28 on
5670-415: Was criticised as belonging to sacred rituals and therefore not appropriate for rock songs. "The Dead Heart" had been written in response to a request by organisers of the 1985 ceremony to return control of Uluru to its indigenous caretakers ; Midnight Oil had originally resisted, arguing it would be more appropriate for an indigenous band to release the single. However, the organisers insisted, arguing that
5751-538: Was dubbed a “gem” of the Australian cinema was remastered in 2002 for the National Film & Sound Archive ’s Kodak/Atlab Cinema Collection of Australian classics. It was the first feature photographed by 25 year-old cinematographer Mandy Walker ACS ASC who had been assisting and operating for Argall and working as Director of Photography on his shorter directing projects. Exceptionally, this film had four other women heads of department along with Walker: production designer, costume designer, sound and producer. During
5832-461: Was formed in Sydney in 1972 by Hirst, Moginie and original bassist Andrew James as Farm : they enlisted Garrett the following year, changed their name in 1976, and hired Rotsey a year later. Peter Gifford served as bass player from 1980 to 1987, with Bones Hillman then assuming the role until his death in 2020. Midnight Oil have sold over 20 million albums worldwide as of 2021. Midnight Oil issued their self-titled debut album in 1978 and gained
5913-566: Was more moderately successful, reaching No. 26 on the ARIA singles chart, No. 97 in the UK, No. 11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks, and No. 1 on the Modern Rock Tracks. In Sydney in 1990, while Midnight Oil were taking a break, Hirst joined up with guitarist Andrew Dickson, drummer Dorland Bray of Do-Ré-Mi , guitarist Leszek Karski (Midnight Oil producer) and bass guitarist Rick Grossman of Hoodoo Gurus to form
5994-534: Was now a recognised public figure. In January 1985, Midnight Oil performed Oils on the Water , a concert on Goat Island in Sydney Harbour to celebrate Triple J 's tenth birthday, before a select audience of fans who had won tickets in a radio competition. The concert was filmed, simulcast on ABC-TV and Triple J, and released on video, which was remastered for their 2004 Best of Both Worlds DVD. In December 1985
6075-403: Was only a part-time band. They played for the northern-Sydney surfing community and, by 1975, were touring the east coast. In late 1976 Garrett moved to Sydney to complete his law degree. Farm then became a full-time group and changed its name to "Midnight Oil" by drawing a name out of a hat, leaving behind "Television", "Sparta", and "Southern Cross". The name "Midnight Oil" was inspired by
6156-515: Was released by Powderworks in November 1978 and peaked at No. 43 on the Australian albums charts. Midnight Oil's first single "Run by Night" followed in December, but had very little chart success, peaking at No. 100 on the singles charts. The band built a dedicated fan base, initially restricted to Sydney, which was extended to other Australian cities through constant touring – performing some 200 gigs in their first year. They became known for their furious live performances, which featured
6237-506: Was replaced by Peter Gifford . Gifford was himself replaced by Bones Hillman in 1987. 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. The following Midnight Oil albums peaked in the Australian Top Ten: The following Midnight Oil releases peaked in
6318-629: Was shot in Adelaide over six weeks in February–;March 1989 on 16mm but the AFC agreed to blow it up to 35mm. Argall and the cast rehearsed for four weeks prior to filming. He said he worked on the script for seven years prior to the shoot. Return Home grossed $ 236,252 at the box office in Australia. This article related to an Australian film of the 1990s is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This 1990s drama film–related article
6399-536: Was their biggest international hit single, peaking at No. 6 in Australia, and No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 , No. 6 on the UK singles charts. "The Dead Heart" peaked at No. 6 in Australia, and charted on the Hot 100 and in the UK. "Put Down that Weapon" also charted in Australia, while "Dreamworld" charted on Billboard 's Mainstream Rock Tracks and at No. 16 on its Modern Rock Tracks . At
6480-536: Was voted No. 3 behind The Easybeats ' " Friday on My Mind " and Daddy Cool 's " Eagle Rock ". At the 2001 APRA Awards ceremony "Beds are Burning" was shown on video and introduced by Australian Democrats Senator Aden Ridgeway as an Indigenous spokesperson on Reconciliation. "Power and the Passion" was also listed in APRA's Top 30 best Australian songs . Garrett announced his decision to quit Midnight Oil on 2 December 2002, to refocus on his political career. In
6561-526: Was with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra . His sister Janet Argall has had a long career as a television director with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation . As a teenager Argall attended the state-run alternative high school Brinsley Road Community School in the Melbourne suburb of Camberwell. There he became involved in photography and super-8 filmmaking and in 1975 received support for his first 16mm short film entitled Morning Rite from
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