http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/news/story/the-beat-goes-on1/

MIDNIGHT Oil members Jim Moginie, Rob Hirst, and Martin Rotsey wanted
to reform the band for the bushfire appeal but thought there was no
chance given Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett's workload.

So they were ecstatic to hear Mr Garrett had in fact been in contact
urging the boys to get the band back together.

According to Hirst it's been hectic ever since.

``Bones (bass player Bones Hillman) is flying in from the US and we're
having the same crew that we used for 15-20 years,'' Hirst, a
Balgowlah resident, said.There was relief for fans with the
announcement the Oils were reforming but there was also relief from
Hirst. ``I never thought that collectively we'd ever get to play these
songs in front of an audience again,'' he said.

``I never thought that collectively we'd ever get to play these songs
in front of an audience again,'' he said.

Midnight Oil will be performing two shows in Canberra and then the Red
Cross Sound Relief Concert, for victims of the bushfire, at the
Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 14.

Hirst said the Canberra shows were twofold in their intention. ``For
one, it will get a rusty old band up to peak condition,'' he said.
``And it will pay for the costs of flying people to be with us.''

Hirst didn't think it would take long for the calluses to return to
the hands, along with the pains in the neck and shoulders.

The last hit out for The Oils since disbanding in 2002 was headlining
the landmark Wave Aid Tsunami Relief Concert in 2005. He said the
reason for this reunion (the bushfire appeal) was extremely
unfortunate and upsetting.

``We're happy to be doing something for Sound Relief,'' he said. ``But
hopefully we'll get to play again when it's not a response to a
natural disaster.

``As long as we're able to play passionate shows, and we're not silly
old guys up there, then we should continue.''

Up Close in the Capital is on March 12-13 at the Royal Theatre,
Canberra - National Convention Centre. Tickets on sale 9am Monday from
Ticketek 132 849.