Peter Garrett reveals what Midnight Oil was nearly called – and how the band members finally landed on the iconic name
Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett revealed the bizarre names the Australian rock band was almost called.
When the 71-year-old appeared on The Project on Wednesday night, “Schwampy Moose,” “Sparta” and “Television” were all discussed.
The band ultimately settled on Midnight Oil by pulling the name out of a hat in 1976.
The name is reportedly inspired by the Jimi Hendrix song Burning of Midnight Lamp.
When drummer Rob Hirst, 68, and guitarist and keyboardist Jim Moginie, 67, formed the group in Sydney in 1972, they were originally called Farm.
Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett, 71, (pictured) revealed the bizarre names the Australian rock band was almost called
Garrett was scheduled to discuss the band’s new film, which looks back on their astonishing 45-year career.
The two-hour documentary, called The Hardest Line, had its world premiere at the Sydney Film Festival on Wednesday evening.
The film, made by Australian filmmaker Paul Clarke, is taken from the chorus of the 1982 song Power and the Passion, one of Midnight Oil’s biggest hits.
The 71-year-old appeared on The Project on Wednesday night and revealed that the names Schwampy Moose, Sparta and Television were all being considered
Midnight Oil has sold more than 20 million albums since releasing their first record in 1978.
After Garrett joined as singer and frontman in 1976, they became a pub rock favorite and were known for their loud, raw sound and ferocious stage act.
Their long-term lineup also included guitarist Martin Rotsey and bassist Bones Hillman. The band’s other members included original bass guitarist Andrew James, who was replaced by Pete Gifford.
As known for their outspoken views on social issues as they are for their hard-hitting songs like US Forces and Beds are Burning, the film delves into the band’s controversial politics.
The band ultimately settled on Midnight Oil by pulling the name out of a hat in 1976. Pictured L-R Rob Hirst, Peter Garrett, Martin Rotsey, Bones Hillman, Jim Moginie
The film includes footage from Midnight Oil’s infamous 1990 Manhattan show, in which they played to thousands of stunned New Yorkers.
The outdoor lunch performance took place in front of the Exxon building to protest the environmental disaster following last year’s supertanker disaster.
The new film, which took seven years to make, will also feature unseen footage as well as a behind-the-scenes look at Midnight Oil’s ‘Sorry’ protest at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line hits Australian cinemas on July 4.
When drummer Rob Hirst, 68, and guitarist and keyboardist Jim Moginie, 67, formed the group in Sydney in 1972, they were originally called Farm.