Midnight Oil - Used & Abused (1977)

[SouthernCross33]

check out the hippies lol. i remember seeing the oils in Adelaide and there was 50 ppl max there, but they weren't looking like this, it must have been 1980 i reckon. But the beards were gone, thankfully

[fayza999]

Just love this. Thank you.

[DelDuio]

This is AWESOME!! What a find!

I love how right after Pete says "The main who's gonna' make a deal" he then gives said man the finger hahaha. Also love how Martin looks like Kurt Russel's Macready from The Thing.

[spediteur84]

Oh no, I should stayed at school, :D

[trotshot]

thats Mick Fanning

[trotshot]

i didnt know Mick Fanning could sing

[Flowerbranche]

Cool to hear this slower version of the song, compared to the "original" video. It's my favourite song from their first album, I especially like Jim's solos.

[admeer70]

Fuck me! Grew up in Australia and was a huge fan of the Oils (especially this era) but never saw any footage this early (original lineup) or Garrett with hair. Thanks a lot. And one can NEVER over state how good a drummer Rob Hirst is/was. Hope he's still playing.

[velomanmtl]

Peter Garret had hair??? Strange to see that...

[tonks7000]

Didn't look like his style....thought it had to be him but he rocks onto his front foot heaps...doesn't move much in that...awesome stuff though. Off to see The Break again soon!!!!

[tonks7000]

Where's Rotsey in this one??

[nzoz1977]

@tonks7000 the guy with the beared

[juanos74]

he used to be my hero.............:-(

[Coldacre]

@nickandstu -  it's the lighting. he had long blond hair from 1972-1976

[bigmaxy07]

I am stunned right now.

[fantomdoggy]

i was 7 when they were doing this :)

11 when i got my very first 2 VINYL albums, one was "East" - cold Chisel, the other - "10-1" the Oils!

[fantomdoggy]

how farkin sick is this!!!! such raw oils!

[INITIALSJE]

geez, i didn't even know they went back that far ('77)!!

[living666devil]

@INITIALSJE

Dude, they formed in 1972 as "the Farm" or sumthin, then in I think '75 they wer the Oils \m/

[INITIALSJE]

Wow, I am officially stupid, then. But that's pretty

incredible. It adds even more credibility to their status. I was born in '75, so that does mean that they were pre-punk at during those days!

[INITIALSJE]

oh, please excuse the bad grammar, I need to slow down a bit.

[missionpants]

Wow, I don't even know what to say...!

From a midwestern gal from the States (Chicago/Minn USA), all I can say is THANK YOU for bringing this AWESOMENESS back to my heart...

Now I remember why I was interested in the early 80's punk/new wave scene...

Tho there was no name for the AWESOMENESS that was Midnight Oil (New Wave? MEH), but I didnt care....

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! nzoz!

THANK YOU!

[nzoz1977]

No worries... glad you've enjoyed it! I might re-post this video in the future seeing as it's slightly out of sync.

I don't think the Oils slip into the New Wave category like the Knack nor punk like the Sex Pistols. They were another fine example of the great amount of originality that came out of Australia during the late 70's which sadly ceases to exist today. This film was found buried deep in the Australian Broadcast Corporation's archive, a couple of years ago.

[graphique1]

what a find ! a slow burn of rob's early songwriting and jim is the master of pushing the band to the blue meanie days of '78 and so much more with headinjuries...

[gazstaf]

Do the voters of Kingsford Smith know what their elected representative has been up to?

Mmmm I just wonder?

[matthewgloss]

One of their best!

from the days when they sang about being young growing up in Sydney and before they allowed politics to influence their writing. Anyone who doubts just how good "The Oils" were should have a listen to the album "Midnight Oil".

They were never better than they were when they recorded their first LP.

[gazstaf]

Could not agree more. The power of their music was awesome!

[cactus337]

Holy Flurking Shnit! Outta Site!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[thornton85]

brilliant quality! love the old midnight oil clips... this is a pearler! cheers!

[kinseymilkbone]

OK, I recognize Peter Garrett, but who are all these guys with beards?

[demonsbutterfly]

A very Tight Band even Back in '77. This is Gold, at :58 Pete is showing signs of Hair Growth!

[boofymartin]

This one's going straight to the pool room! Almost looks like Garrett has a little hair there too...

[juanos74]

what a find thanks nzoz1977

[nzoz1977]

it is a great find! much like the original video for 'Run By Night' which will be up on one of my nzoz accounts very soon!

[chikolocallo]

Was there a clip made for Run by Night? Does it pre-date the release of the debut album like this clip or was it made to coincide with the 1978 single/album release? When do you think you'll post it?

[nzoz1977]

Hi Chiko,

The 'Run By Night' was filmed on the same night and at the same location as the 'Used & Abused' video clip (which can be found on my nzoz1978 channel) and is identical to that video-clip; except they're playing to a different song.

I believe the 'Run By Night/Used & Abused' video-clip was made to coincide with the released of the 1979 single 'Run By Night', which had 'Used & Abused' as its b-side.

Unfortunately, Oils fans/traders are holding on to that video, very tightly.

[jgcastor]

Very good song! By the way, this time the video has such a good quality. It doesn't look like it came from a VHS tape.

Great video

[nzoz1977]

The reason why it looks so good is because it was only played a couple of times during the late 70's and had been lost in the ABC archive for 30 years, until it was rediscovered a couple of years ago.

[davidlglover]

And, incidentally, it was shot on 16mm film. How do I know? I played in the other band they shot that day.

It was recorded that day on four synced Nagra tape recorders. The band are performing to a playback of the tape recorded earlier in the day.

[nzoz1977]

wow!  that's very interesting!

[gazstaf]

What bavd was that Davidglover

[SquarkingCockatoo]

Nice. It must have been about 1979 when I saw them first, so seeing them earlier is great.

An historical document!

[nzoz1977]

found in a dustry archive at the ABC library... hadn't been touched for 30 years!

[equinoxecinq]

talk about archeology! what an awesome find,,, thanks so much for sharing.

[JLDB1987]

What a gem!

[thewornoutthong]

Just to let people know, This song was played at the balmain town hall in 1977. It was the first time I ever seen the oils play. This video is very very rare oils. I dont know how you got rhis vid, but thanx for posting it, you are a super dooper legeng for doing so. CHEERS!... Oils will live in my heart forever..

[nzoz1977]

rage played the video i couple of times... I was told not to post the original time-coded film that was discovered in the ABC vault a few years back, but was asked not to upload it...

[dazph]

he hey! this is so awesome!! surely they were into jethro tull!! I'm sure Ive heard Rob Hirst say that they thought of them selves as prog rock...always loved this album..

[gazstaf]

I remember this all too well. Watching Jim play guitar was inspiring, I was interested in what his influences were.

I can't believe they are in their early 20s.

[jgcastor]

I like Midnight Oil a lot. This song is from "Head Injuries", am I right? That's a great album!

[nzoz1977]

midnight oil's first 'midnight oil' as read in description.

[jgcastor]

Oh, all right. Thanks.

[Coldacre]

what the hell is he singing, that one word that's really high? it's not in the lyric sheet.

[gazzawhite]

Sounds like "liar".

[greg43]

Was that guitar player in ELO?

[nzoz1977]

His name is Jim Morginie and he was only 21 when this clip was filmed. Why young men back in the 70's wanted to add 10 years to their age by growing their Grizzly Adams - God only know.

[Coldacre]

Moginie

[nzoz1977]

oh yeah, right. thanks...

[Oilkink]

Both guitarists with a beard! I have never seen Martin with one before. In the official promo clip for this song, Jim still has a beard though. That version also features one of my favourite guitar solos!

[cliffburton12]

didnt pete Garrett have long hair back then?

[nzoz1977]

1973 to 1975 he displayed long hair and then had it cut short... eventually, he shaved it all off.

[Gdogg72]

Is this from the album Powderworks??

[Jaded67]

Oils never released an album called Powerworks this is from their debut album "Midnight Oil" but had the song Powderworks on it.

[spgnt]

this is vintage stuff ! who is the other guitar player here besides Moginie ?  can it be Martin Rotsey with a beard , ???????????

[nzoz1977]

it is!

[bretteng]

What can I say! Hairs at the back of my neck stand up!

[yakidk89]

This is brilliant.

Saw the beards and thought it was Emerson, Lake & Palmer... ha ha

[SumnerMurrayRedstone]

MIGOD what a dummer. This is over 30 years ago and look at him. The one instrument you're not supposed to hear and only stay in the background. This guy (Hirst) looks like he's going to fall asleep and listen to what he does. Can anyone else do that? Has anyone else? I doubt it. This guy is so totally rhythm and his drums. Unparalleled. No wonder he was voted best drummer in Oz for something like 20 years. Every musician in the world wants to have him in their group. The guy's unbelievable.

[208STROKER]

my friend u are so right...i have been a huge fan of the oils for over 20 yrs and it was rob hurst who got me into drumming...he is a god and my idol...i thank you for ur comments and its great to see another person with great taste....

[civilwheels]

This is at war and Peace in Parramatta a awesome place in its day i saw every major Aussie band there in my misspent youth it had bands 6 nights a week 3 bands for a buck on thursdays and closed on a monday,Pete

[Bf109D]

Martin got a lot more energetic in the later years with his on jumping around. he looks positively sedate.

maybe the tempo is a bit too slow for this song. Sounds better when faster.

[Coldacre]

interesting that Martin & Jim are standing on the opposite sides of the stage that they would be from later on

[dabble778]

You can really hear the surf music influence (Dick Dale, not Beach Boys :-) First album quite under-rated IMO.

[Coldacre]

great to see, wish there was more 70's oils unearthed

[nzoz1977]

70's Oils are a very rare thing to see, these days!

[theonlytruepunk]

I didn't know that two of the Bee Gees were in this band at the beginning??? Hmmm??

[nzoz1977]

Oh God, Jim and Martin do look like the Bee Gees!!!!

How spooky!!!!

[theonlytruepunk]

Pretty funny stuff...great band nonetheless.

[geobes11]

Jim Moginie's guitar work first class. What about Garrett's head stubble, Classic.

[tanglefoothuskies]

bloody amazing band, been into the oils - even tho i live in the uk- sonce the 80's have most of their albums but the first one is still one of my fav oils albums! this rare vid is proof that peter DID once have hair!!!! hahaha matt in the uk

[crackers95]

The old days rock

[Buttons61]

i remember seeing these guys at a beach concert as a teenager , god pete garret looks so young...i feel old LOL I also remember seeing INXS doing Bowie covers at the local bowling club.Ha unbelievable...thanks for the trip thru my memories.

[civilwheels]

The gong behind Rob Hirst if its not his it looks just like the one total fire band used to use,,and at war and peace thursday nights 3 bands and a plate of chips for a buck,i seen em all from inxs to jon english all aussie bands and even tiny tim,,who after tip toe thru the tulips,kicked arse,,,Pete

[civilwheels]

I spent tooooo manynights in war and peace started going there at 15 nobody cared in them days,,Pete

[mrwyldcard]

nice. let me know if you find anything

[nzoz1977]

no worries.. sure will.

[mrwyldcard]

as i said i realise he was behind the cameras for that one.....he co hosted a different show around that time called Give Em Heaps

[nzoz1977]

cool... i'll see if you ABC have got any episodes of GIve Em Heaps in their library.

[mrwyldcard]

correction: He worked on this show but hosted a different one

[nzoz1977]

who's your dad and which show did he host. I thought Ray Burgess hosted Flashes?

[mrwyldcard]

this was filmed at the show which my dad used to co host called Flashez.Awesome!

[Cyrius01]

which one was your dad? The hippie guy or the square jawed pretty boy? :-) That was a cool show.

[camska]

Sensational! - love the beards but also the stubble on Peters head. I can't help thinking that this might have been "Live to air" on JJ (as it was then known). I've seen a pic of Pete from a JJ broadcast and he looks the same.

[bucketofwater]

Used and Abused is just about my favourite Oils song. This is a really raw and less frenetic version. Jim Moginie's guitar playing is terrific. And look at Martin Rotsey's beard!

[TheVictorians]

AWESOME!!!

Jim and Martin with beards!

[SauronsEye]

I would like to psycho analysis the Pete. When did he think politics was a better option than music?

He's clearly sold out, as all politicians eventually do, in particular, over the nuclear issue since joining the Labor party.

He's flip flopping on the issue. He's no longer saying he's strongly opposed...He's only saying that the people he talks(voters) to are opposed to nuclear power in any form.

[nzoz1977]

He always saw music as a temporary thing - the longevity of Midnight Oil kept him nailed to music for all those years. That's not to say he doesn't love music, but we all know he was a double act as a musician and politician. One of them had to give.

[Greatfox200]

BRILLIANT! I love what you come up with NZOZ!

[nzoz1977]

There's a lot that I've seen and have that I am not allowed to put up on YouTube... as much as I would love to.

[soilisav]

yeah right....

[soilisav]

very very nice. thanks rage for playing this at 4:30am. i wonder if the oils performed more songs during that set?...

[nzoz1977]

'Flashez' was simply an amazing program for it's time (1976/1977). The actual shows have not survived in the passages of time, but footage of the show has, including interviews with: The Saints, Legs McNeil, the Ramones, Sex Pistols, etc. You should see glimpses of these on Rage in the upcoming future.

[ccn999]

He's....a....GINGER KID!!!

[nzoz1977]

I'd say more bleach blonde. Early photos of Midnight Oil (1973-1974) show him having pale blonde hair - usually the result of surfing.

[johnnycourageous]

Rage gave this a spin again last weekend on their 'Aussie' show - will be ripping a few myself soon. God I love that program!

[nzoz1977]

It's a great relief to be able to FINALLY put this up. I've been aware of this discovery for quite a while; hence the side information. The ABC had this locked away for 30 years and it had only recently been recovered.

[johnnycourageous]

Yes, I noticed you had uploaded the version that was on the '20000 Watt...' DVD. I thought that was the version Rage would show again, but luckily not! Incidentally, you got the DVD version under NZOZ1978, and this one here. I'm confused!

[nzoz1977]

Well, the '20000 Watt' version was filmed in 1978, the same year the album came out, which is why it falls into the nzoz1978 category. However, this 'Flashez' clip was filmed in 1977 (it might even be 1976), which is why it falls into the 1977 category NZOZ1977. This clip was shot a good 18 months before their debut album was released. Also, Flashez was a very short lived program.

[SauronsEye]

Maybe we should get the ABC to create a YouTube account and upload this stuff.

That is their thing...to promote