Rob Hirst | Long Play Series

[@cathrynmasters3199]

Rob Hirst would have to be one of the the best drummers ever. Brilliant! Great interview. Love the Oils. Living legends.

[@MyMusic-cd3do]

I totally agree. It sacrilegious that they started using a drum machine. While the Oils sound remained distinct, I felt from Diesel and Dust on (I haven't actually heard a lot of their later music, so I might need to be corrected) that they lost their soul a bit because Hirsty's drumming really took a back seat. (Compare his drumming on their first four albums with the drumming on Diesel and Dust and Red Sails.

[@davidgaul572]

Just an amazing interview. Rob Hirst is so smart and eloquent. Brilliant! Thanks to the Australian Music Vault! Awesome!

[@nongthip]

As a die-hard Oils fan, it's great to hear Rob or any of the band members reminiscing about their history back then and again now.

[@didde-music]

Great interview! Midnight Oil forever❤

[@joshdance9959]

I think Rob is the best drummer Australia has ever produced. He's like a combination of Keith Moon and John Bonham. Or maybe Keith Moon and Phil Rudd. His work on Best of Both worlds is the most inspired drumming I've ever heard. Not only driving the song, but riding it at the same time. Mind blowing stuff. Thanks Rob.

[@CJ-pe5dl]

No question its a fact.

[@gavinkitchen1472]

I see a definite Nick Mason influence. Not sure whether I'd include Phil Rudd. The Youngs are ACDC, & with this any ACDC drummer is supplied with a metronome, which they have to strictly follow.

[@dolphinberserk]

And let's not forget live performances of Only the Strong, Don't Wanna Be the One, Stand in Line, Powderworks and Kosciusko (while singing lead)

[@cerimccoy]

Saw Midnight Oil many times back in the 1980s. A full frontal assault on your senses, the Oils were probably the loudest band I've ever seen with the hugest electric guitar sound from Martin Rotsey and Jim the Genie. Makes the Foo Fighters sound a little tame in comparison. Amazing!

[@naj70]

Really fantastic articulation of the early period and Rob is candid - "we made it up as we went along, we were broke" - not that there was a "vision for Midnight Oil". I remember Tracee Hutchinson from glory days of 2JJJ (glory because of what Hirst says - no tablets, devices, bad TV (well - just the 4 channels), DJs, Raves.... people went to see bands/gigs). And we roll the clock forward 35 years and the "irreverence of 2JJJ" (to quote Bill Hayden of that era) - and Tracee looks and sounds in many ways - like corporate Australia. And that's a kind and careful takeaway - we all grow up, mellow, become less energetic, less overtly rebellious in posture - as we conform to mortgages, school fees, family multi-decade stability...a paycheck even. A real litmus test for the oils - is to check and see if any member of the band catches a mining company's dividend every six months - to keep them in first-world comforts.

[@neil2550]

Served him once in the bank in the early 90 s Chatswood,, Great drummer n songwriter

[@PapaCowboySr]

I really loved this interview! Rob Hirst is so enlightning . So we'll read. I was fortunate enough to see the on Oils in Hollywood Calif, (where I'm from) twice in the early 80s at the Palace. They were electric!!! Pete Garret wouldn't put up with the mosh pit in front of the stage. They were willing to stop playing if the pushing and shoving didn't stop. Crowd was warned twice. Garret was amazing!!

[@queenslander7756]

Rehearsed once circa 1976 in Chatswood, and Peter (with hair) sat in on the session. Supported Oils at times over the years in some of the “massive beer barns” Rob mentioned. Great times and venues and the incubator for many iconic Aussie bands to hone their craft before assaulting the international stage.

[@arthurcrime]

Rob is a damn decent chap, Melbourne in the 80's, we were building a rehearsal room for sacred Cowboys. Rob came along and pitched in with the work.

[@lindalorko4478]

This is a wonderful interview, Thankyou for the quality of questions presented to Rob, I could listen to his storytelling for hours. His passion for social issues is still evident and I feel has been the key spokesperson throughout the band's history. Thankyou for the wonderful music and memories!

[@PapaCowboySr]

Absolutely agree!

[@seanmcwha9325]

I love these interviews. The genuine people who they all really are is amazing. As a father of a very young musician I love showing my young fella how it works and what needs to be done just to believe in oneself. I love Australian musicians and how/why they think. It’s all about where they come from, what resonates with them, at the time, and that’s partly why they all are legend status. Also due to the LIVE performances they put on. Chisel, Oils, Angels, etc. Glenn Wheatley, Mark Opitz, and the list is endless. Much respect for all, and thank you for these videos. Hope they keep coming. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks Sean for the feedback - thrilled to hear you're enjoying them. We've got a few more up our sleeve to share!

[@stoobieman]

Nice comment. I'm a musician and would really have benefitted from having a parent like you and great tutelage like Rob's. It's also a further testament to the Oils' fortitude that they did it all off their own bat (including Gary Morris of course).

[@timvivoda5208]

Love Rpb all I ever wanted was a one hour drum lesson.

[@danozism]

They just don't make em like this anymore. Thanks Rob, Tracee and AMV

[@piaxgft5799]

I LOVE them they have informed my world view enormously

[@ClevelandRose-i4j]

Great questions, brilliant answers - a truly fascinating interview. A most articulate, talented drummer. Always loved their music though their "message" , with words so carefully, poetically chosen, is something else altogether. thanks guys

[@P.Galore]

Rob Hirst is among the very small number of drummers who are both precise to listen to and entertaining to watch. His style has the openess of Ringo Starr where each beat is defined and placed and the power of legendary John Bonham. None of them "ride the cymbals"

[@MrsBazzy]

I remember writing an essay in high school about The Oils and the issues they sang about and Peter and the Nuclear Disarmament Party. They most definitely did get their message across ❤️

[@jasoncarruthersentertainment]

Thankyou so much. As ive been an Oils fan all my life!

[@pellelindbergh4455]

i learn so much about Midnight oil early days ,some of the band he metions i never heard of before that great.

[@livianegidius9772]

I have listened to words of your songs then music. But they are pefectly fit together.

[@MyMusic-cd3do]

I've been hoping to find interviews that dug into the Oils history and development. Love that she just let Rob talk. This interview confirmed something for me. While I still enjoy listening to Oils music from Diesel and Dust onwards, I didn't buy any Oils after 10, 9, 8..... I have analyzed this and it is because Rob' drumming was sedated (and often substituted for a drum machine). I understand what may have motivated them to do this, but in my opinion, their music lost a crucial element. Prior to Diesel and Dust, only Rob Hirst could have come up with that drumming. (By this I mean his style, not his technical skills. He had a 'sound'. Later, anyone could have been Midnight Oils drummer. Sorry Rob. I don't mean to be disrespectful. You are absolutely one of my all time favorite drummers and one of the main reasons I love the Oils) I still regularly listen to the early albums. I see lots of people doing drum covers of Beds Are Burning and think, WHY? when Hisrty has so many other far more interesting drumming. Maybe that's all they can handle. (Dave Sheville doe a few really good Oils drum covers - including Only The Strong, which I never get sick of listening to. Anyway, loved the interview.

[@troymasters3315]

Great interview. Well done.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thank you

[@pellelindbergh4455]

Peter garrett had the same questions but he gave very short and dull answers but Hirst is a better interview

[@mrindecisive100]

These interviews are really good. An interview with one (or more) of the original members of Mental As Anything would be great.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Great to hear you're enjoying them, thanks for the feedback, it will be shared with the team for consideration.

[@robertgroslezard202]

I learn english (by myselff) with midnight oil for lyrivs, and i am not the only one ! ;)

[@AdamSandaver]

Great talk. Thanks Tracee and Rob.

[@daniels1975]

Wonderful interview, but I wish they had talked about red sails, a phenomenal album. ESM is also skipped over.

[@TimOestmann]

Thanks, really interesting interview.

[@Forest760]

I listened to Put down that weapon while living in West Germany during the cruise missile buildup. I am ashamed and disgusted with the US and NATO. We need the moral compass of Midnight Oil more than ever.

[@marymcbeath7996]

Wonderful reflection on the growth of the Oil’s, what an amazingly powerhouse they were on stage. And who is the extraordinarily beautiful interviewer?

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Hi Mary, the interviewer is Tracee Hutchison.

[@eoghanbrannigan9917]

Best drummer ever. Fact.

[@MaccaThePacker]

Sorry, champ, there are plenty better. Fact. He's certainly very theatrical!

[@benscheeres]

Love you

[@shanesthief]

Only the strong is there best song hands down

[@peterbozich4433]

Totally agree was wrapped when i heard them play it live first time

[@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479]

Hercules is mine

[@mattbrady3804]

Love billy bragg ❤

[@pellelindbergh4455]

mi sex??????!!! got to find that band!

[@queenslander7756]

Mi Sex, great Kiwi band who made a home in Australia. Very visual stage presentation with creative light show. Album called “Graffiti Crimes” with a futuristic hit single “Computer Games”. Supported them a couple of times, great guys. Singer Steve Gilpin died some years back in a car accident on the way back from a show I believe somewhere in North Coast of NSW. Hope you get to hear their music.👍🏼🎶

[@Forest760]

How do you feel about the wars in Ukraine, Russia, Gaza, Israel?

[@seanc.mcnally2118]

Silly little Uni hangover Man, but we love him

[@TheOgnum]

To woke. Just play rock and roll.

[@assininecomment1630]

This interview is _entirely_ carried by good Mr Hirst. Hutchison's questions are awkward, lacking any conversational craft, and staggering incoherently one way, then another. direcmmmm as per normal. Hirst suffers the clumsy dynamics, by sharing details and story aplenty. 6 out of 10.

[@queenslander7756]

Is that all you got out of the conversation?🤔

[@OsmiumFist]

Midnight Chanters always whining about politics. Then Garret becomes one of them. Bet he didn't turn down his gold pass.

[@jacktzu1528]

Is there anything worse that a self hating person.?

[@pistolpete224able]

I liked the band but the politics was unbearable left wing trash.

[@queenslander7756]

I think there was a certain element of that in their ethos, but in the context of the times (an era that I personally experienced) people were genuinely concerned with issues. Just as the Vietnam war created a culture of disobedience against authority, the Oils represented the voice of youth concerned with environmental and other issues of those times. Problem being, big business and politicians hijack this fervour for their own selfish purposes and corrupt it. The woke culture of today is an example of this degradation.

[@Forest760]

"Nato invaded Russia." Scott Ritter

[@legowifey4773]

ok Boomer

[@queenslander7756]

We all stand on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before.