10th December 1999
One Country For Australian National Anthem?
Oils: A web site has been set up to promote the adoption of One Country as a new Australian national anthem. The creator of the pages is attempting to create a streaming web media clip to go with the song as part of the promotion.

24th November 1999
New Oils Track
Oils: There has been word on Australian TV that the Oils will be contributing a new track for an East Timor benefit release. The track is thought to be named "Say Your Prayers."

18th November 1999
23 Out Of Top 1000 Rock Songs For Oils
Oils: The Oils recently had 23 songs feature in Triple M's Top 1000 rock songs. U.S. Forces featured highest at number 9. The full list...
998 - My Country
971 - Truganini
688 - No Time For Games
667 - Run By Night
580 - Put Down That Weapon
462 - Wedding Cake Island
388 - Short Memory
369 - Best Of Both Worlds
335 - Don't Wanna Be The One
301 - Dreamworld
288 - Cold Cold Change
263 - King Of The Mountain
240 - When The Generals Talk
219 - Armistice Day
199 - Kosciuszko
178 - The Dead Heart
156 - Power And The Passion
132 - Hercules
99 - Read About It
77 - Forgotten Years
38 - Blue Sky Mine
20 - Beds Are Burning
9 - U.S. Forces

17th November 1999
New Ghostwriters Album
Ghostwriters: After a successful series of gigs in Sydney and Melbourne, the Ghostwriters will be releasing their third album soon. It appears that they are rejecting the normal record company paths, and will possibly be selling the new album via the Internet.

14th September 1998
Cemetery On Sale
The new Oils single "Cemetery In My Mind" went on sale in Australia today. The song is backed with an older mix of the same track, and two new tracks - one of which is an instrumental. See the news page for previous items including the track names. As yet there seem to be no plans for the single to be released outside Australia. Until an international release is confirmed, the single can be bought online through Greg's Music World.

20th August 98
Cemetery Single Details
UK rarities/imports dealer Esprit International have shown details on "Cemetery In My Mind" as the new single. The track listing is - Cemetery, True Believers Blind Version, Heaven & Earth, Devilfish Shuffle. They have it available to buy, but Greg's Music World puts a date of 14th Sept on the single.

11th August 98
Possible US Tour?
Like the possiblity of a European tour this autumn/winter, a possible US tour was hinted at by an interviewer writing for TNT magazine. There was no explicit mention of dates, venues or a tour confirmation. Check the touring news page for the latest info.

29th July 98
Oils To Tour Europe?
Nothing solid has been announced, but there is the possibility that the band will be touring Europe in November. There is no official mention of this, and there is also no rumour of a US tour at this stage.

22nd July 98
"Cemetery In My Mind" is New Single
As yet unconfirmed, but "Cemetery In My Mind" has been listed by UK rarities/imports delear Esprit International as being available as a new Australian CD single. So far none of the major Australian online stores have the single listed.

6th July 98
Redneck Wonderland is Out
The Redneck Wonderland album is now available in Australia. Unfortunately it does not appear to have been released in other territories as yet. Sony UK have unofficially suggested that the release date may be 3rd of August. Until then, RW is available through Greg's Music World.

17th June 98
Redneck Track List Available!
The Sony Australia web site now has the track listing for the album available, plus Real Audio clips of all tracks! The listing is... Blot, Cemetery In My Mind, Comfortable Place On The Couch, Concrete, Drop In The Ocean, Redneck Wonderland, Return To Sender, Safety Chain Blues, Seeing Is Believing, The Great Gibber Plain, What Goes On, White Skin Black Heart, Redneck Wonderland.

11th June 98
Peter Leads ACF
Peter Garrett has been invited to once again become the leader of the ACF - the Australian Conservation Foundation. This will be the second time that Pete has been the president of the organisation.

20th May 98
Redneck Release Dates For Oz
Despite the date given by Boxman (see previous news items), the Sony Australia web site gives the following release dates for the new single and album. Redneck Wonderland single - 15th June, Redneck Wonderland album - 6th July. It is probable that release in all other territories will be on or after this date. You can place an advance order now through Greg's Music World.

15th May 98
Possible European Release Date
Redneck Wonderland has been quoted as being released on the 30th of June this summer, according to the Swedish online music store Boxman. The date is as yet unconfirmed.

8th May 98
Redneck News
No confirmed release date as yet, but DJs from Aussie radio station MMM were on a midday TV show from Sydney, where they mentioned that MMM would be getting it's promo copy of the album in 3 weeks.

5th May 98
Full Aussie Tour Announced
The summer Aussie tour has been fully announced and consists of 30 gigs across Australia. Check the touring news page for the full details! At present there is still no word of a world tour, or a release date for Redneck Wonderland other than "in June".

29th April 98
Redneck Release
Whilst appearing on the Midday Show Peter announced that the new album was to be released in June. He also mentioned that Jim and Martin had just gone to London to mix the album. No confirmed date has been put forward yet, and Greg's Music World still have no knowledge of the album from the record compnay release lists.

26th April 98
Touring Again
The Oils are set to tour again it seems. Already there are a few confirmed gigs lined up for July, and some unconfirmed for August, while it has been said that there will be a 2 month Aussie tour over June/July/August. Check the touring news page for the latest info.

21st April 98
Band Plays Protest Gig
The band played at the Jabiluka protest blockade in Kakadu National Park, on Monday the 20th April, along with two other bands. The protest is against a uranium mine propsed for the area. Songs included The Dead Heart, Blue Sky Mine and E-Beat.

16th April 98
Jim on Neil Finn's New Album
The headline speaks for itself - Jim Moginie has been credited for playing gitar on four track from Neil Finn's new album "Try Whistling This". He's also been credited with co-writing two of the tracks.

7th April 98
Oils Hit The Road Again!
It's been confirmed that that Oils will be playing Newcastle Worker's Club on the 16th of July this summer. A few other gigs have been rumoured, and it's possible that this date will be near or just after the release of Redneck.

5th March 98
Redneck Release Date!
Some Powderworkers have heard on Triple M (Aussie radio station) that Redneck w>

Transfer interrupted!

Transfer interrupted!

3rd March 98
Redneck Delayed
When asked at a recent concert, Martin said that the release of Redneck Wonderland would be put back until mid 98. This is due to the band returning to the studio to re-reocrd some of the tracks, as their recent live performances have seen the band alter the songs further, and they now wish to capture the new versions on the album.

1st March 98
Hirst Ill - Band Split
Rumours of the bands demise (propogated by an employee of Sony Canada) appear to be unfounded. Pete has himself denied the rumours. It's possible that they may have started due to Rob's absence at a show recently. He took a couple of nights off to recover from a chest infection but was back before long. (Paul Hester - ex-Crowded House - stepped in for one evening).

10th February 98
Redneck Wonderland
The band are currently finishing off the Aussie club tour (see where you missed em!) The new album is expected in March or April, but no confirmed release date has been given.

1st December 97
Oils Hit The States
The band have a couple of gigs lined up in NYC's Mercury Lounge - check the Touring Guide for dates!

3rd November 97
20,000 Watt RSL Released in UK
20,000 Watt RSL was released in the UK on the 3/11. It features the track list as the Aussie version released last month. Worth mentioning are the two new songs on RSL - What Goes On and White Skin Black Heart. Both these songs are marked as taken "From the forthcoming album 'Redneck Wonderland'"

9th October 97
Possible Tour
While the Oils had said they would not be touring in support of the greatest hits album, there is a rumour that they may in fact be forced by Sony to tour. Check the touring news page to check for any details.

1st October 97
20,000 Watt RSL
The album is due out on the 13th of October in Australia!! It may also be released in Europe on the 13th and was seen as having a 4th November US release date in one magazine. For more info see the special page on 20,000 Watt RSL

9th September 97
Greatest Hits!
The greatest hits album is slated for a release on October 10th in Oz (worldwide release not yet confirmed but possibly the same date). It will be called "20,000 Watt RSL" and should feature 18 tracks including two new songs. One of these songs - "White Skin, Black Heart" - is due for release during September in Oz, and is possibly expected in the UK also around the same time!

9th August 97
New Album!
There is the possibility of a not too distant Oils release. Unfortunately not the new album we've been promised, this album may be a greatest hits, featuring two new recordings.

3rd August 97
Touring Planned
The Oils are to tour a few venues in Australia this September. Currently planned dates can be found on the touring news page.

23rd July 97
No Album Yet
Although a release date as early as August was cited by Lovegrove's Ear On London, this is unfortunately not to be the case. No firm release date has been given, and the only hints are pointing to early 1998.

Peter to Give Lecture
Peter Garrett is to give an open lecture at the University of Queensland on August the 21st, entitled "White Skin, Black Heart". Entry is free. (Source - Jimmy Pollack - Powderworker)

June/July 97
Euro Tour Cancelled
The Oils cancelled their European tour recently - several reasons have floated around, including continued work on a new album, work on a soundtrack album for a Canadian film, and it has also been mentioned that there may be some family reasons for the tour being cancelled. However the band are not breaking up.

New Album
According to Lovegrove's Ear on London, the band are making great headway with the new album, and may have it for release in August. (This is a "maybe" though!)

Sitting Down on the Job
The Oils decided to take an hour off recently during their tour of South America. They set up a couch and some chairs in the centre of a Sao Paulo city street as a protest against the smog levels in the city.