By Luke Voogt
Legendary Australian rockers Midnight Oil reignited the music scene in March, when they announced their reunion and first world tour in 20 years.
But with the original Oils yet to announce a Geelong show, Garry Hickman’s tribute act may be the next-best way for locals to enjoy the Power and the Passion.
The Frankston musician has spent more than a decade imitating the voice and eccentric dance moves of Midnight Oil front man Peter Garrett.
“I watched hours and hours of Midnight Oil film clips and live shows,” he said. “I think I’ve got the Garrett moves pretty down pat now.”
The 53-year-old started playing guitar when he was 12 and singing a few years later.
But when the original live music scene “dried up” in the late ’80s, the then 23-year-old began performing covers.
“I just loved playing music but a lot of live venues that had original bands closed their doors,” he said.
“They had DJs and put in pokies and it really killed the live scene.”
Hickman began playing Peter Garrett in his first Oils tribute act “Head Injuries” in the ’90s, filling in for the lead singer who was studying overseas.
“I just loved their music,” he said. “It’s intense, it’s got meaning and it’s good old rock and roll.”
Three years ago he began the Midnight Oil Tribute Show.
“The guys in the band are brilliant musos,” he said.
Hickman has sported a bald scone for 25 years, just like the Midnight Oil front man.
“It wasn’t just because of the Peter Garrett thing,” he said.
“I just grew sick of getting haircuts at the time. But it certainly helped me land the job in Head Injuries.”
The original Oils cut their teeth in the Geelong pub scene, among other cities, which Hickman said made local crowds “receptive”.
“We’re looking forward to entertaining them. We used to play at one the local pubs on Moorabool Street a few years ago.”
Hickman met with Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst, who he said was confused by cover bands, but didn’t have a “problem with them”.
But he said Peter Garrett once criticised cover bands on stage for “making money off their work” before playing Russell Morris’s The Real Thing.
A friend of Hickman’s saw Midnight Oil on their international reunion tour in Zurich last month.
“He said they were great,” he said.
So far the legendary band has announced three shows in Melbourne in November, but none in Geelong.
“I’d love to see them playing in Geelong or back home where we are down Frankston way,” Hickman said. “I reckon they’d go down well.”
The Midnight Oil Tribute Show plays at The Sphinx Saturday night.
