Became aware of the Oils in the early ’80s, when we had to buy 10, 9, 8... as an import. First saw them in 1988, with Yothu Yindi and Graffiti Man (John Trudell) opening up, at what was called the Winnipeg Arena ‘Concert Bowl’ (basically half an NHL arena, demarcated by a massive black curtain). They were angry and rousing and joyous all at once — just incredible. I arranged there and then for tickets to their gig in Brandon (just two hours away) the next night. Also saw them twice on the first ARA, in Winnipeg and Edmonton, and at least two more times on subsequent tours. Met Rob a few times. You don't really know someone after a few post-show encounters and a couple of phone interviews, but he was strikingly handsome (made a big impression on my girlfriend), quite articulate and very funny.
My recollection of the Markham Fairgrounds Another Roadside Attraction show was that The Hip, The Oils and Hothouse Flowers all played to a draw. An unbelievable show. The Massey Hall show you refer to was decent. A better show in my opinion was at their most prior stop in Toronto at The Danforth. Incredible energy in a relatively cosy venue (for them).
Thank you -- I feel much better now about my Danforth experience! The Hip themselves told me they were scared shitless to follow Midnight Oil on stage, and that it made them raise their game.
I cannot thank you enough for getting me to go with you to see them in 1988 at the Concert Hall. It was an experience like no other. I had never heard of them before that night.
Fair. And I should have known that, seeing as I was thinking about the Hip's A&R man telling me about how Midnight Oil and Men At Work both broke in the U.S. Corrected! Thank you.
Became aware of the Oils in the early ’80s, when we had to buy 10, 9, 8... as an import. First saw them in 1988, with Yothu Yindi and Graffiti Man (John Trudell) opening up, at what was called the Winnipeg Arena ‘Concert Bowl’ (basically half an NHL arena, demarcated by a massive black curtain). They were angry and rousing and joyous all at once — just incredible. I arranged there and then for tickets to their gig in Brandon (just two hours away) the next night. Also saw them twice on the first ARA, in Winnipeg and Edmonton, and at least two more times on subsequent tours. Met Rob a few times. You don't really know someone after a few post-show encounters and a couple of phone interviews, but he was strikingly handsome (made a big impression on my girlfriend), quite articulate and very funny.
Love this. Weird -- they did the same thing in 1988 at Maple Leaf Gardens, a "concert bowl." I missed that ARA entirely, sadly.
My recollection of the Markham Fairgrounds Another Roadside Attraction show was that The Hip, The Oils and Hothouse Flowers all played to a draw. An unbelievable show. The Massey Hall show you refer to was decent. A better show in my opinion was at their most prior stop in Toronto at The Danforth. Incredible energy in a relatively cosy venue (for them).
Thank you -- I feel much better now about my Danforth experience! The Hip themselves told me they were scared shitless to follow Midnight Oil on stage, and that it made them raise their game.
I cannot thank you enough for getting me to go with you to see them in 1988 at the Concert Hall. It was an experience like no other. I had never heard of them before that night.
Thank you for always reminding me that night was real.
"Unless you count AC/DC as an ’80s band."
Or Men At Work?
Fair. And I should have known that, seeing as I was thinking about the Hip's A&R man telling me about how Midnight Oil and Men At Work both broke in the U.S. Corrected! Thank you.