RIP Bones Hillman. https://twitter.com/midnightoilband/status/1325259460525223936

So, this is rather sad news, for obvious reasons. But I don't think I've been able to articulate until now just how much I enjoy the Oils, and how Bones has been a part of that.

Thread.

1 / I got into the Oils in a big way during uni, and eventually got their entire discography. Bones had a really underrated effect on the band's music. Earth and Sun and Moon is one of my favourite albums primarily to the groove his bass guitar provided.

2 / The closing track of that album, Now or Never Land, is essentially two notes repeated over and over, aside from the chorus, but it kicks.

3 / The Breathe album was (imo) forgettable and regrettable, but this gem - again with the bass riding underneath - is still worth a listen.

4 / The Redneck Wonderland album - essentially a big fuck you to Pauline - was a musical 180 degree turn from Breathe. Dense, industrial, frantic. The Oils' Achtung Baby album. This is one of my favourites.

5 / The Oils' last album before Peter Garrett left was Capricornia. When I saw then in Cairns in 2017 I was pleased they added this one to the set. Takes a while to get going but worth a listen.

6 / Just last week (!) the Oils released the Makaratta Project. Their first original music in eighteen years, with outstanding contributions by guest indigenous artists.

7 / Because Bones only joined in 1987, he arrived after what many would consider the Oils peak period (10-1, Red Sails, Diesel and Dust), as well as their early pub rock period when Andrew James and Pete Gifford manned the bass.

8 / The song "Stand in Line" was apparently retired from the live set because Bones couldn't play the bass rift. But lo and behold, here it is in 2017. Maybe because they slowed the song down a bit? But he still owns it.

9 / Another live favourite of mine is Only The Strong, another song which predates Bones but he owns live. The last 90 seconds of the song is one of my all-time favourite jams.

RIP Bones.