Powderworks

Powderworks is a rock band from Newcastle, Australia formed to celebrate the music of Midnight Oil.

Powderworks is:

Ross McAlister - guitars, vocals and keys:

Ross’ infectious passion for Midnight Oil and frustration that cover-bands tend to avoid playing their songs fuelled his quest to form a group that could replicate the energy of the early, small-venue Oils shows. Putting the call out for musicians in the forsaken years preceding the announcement of the 2017 Great Circle Tour, Ross fronts and is the guiding light of Powderworks.

Frank Manitta – drums:

​Frank was a founding member with Screaming Jets guitarist, Grant Walmsley and frontman, Dave Gleeson of 80s Newcastle band, Aspect. Under Grant’s guidance that an all-Oils show would be well-received, Frank has agreed to mount the kit once more. He is the engine behind Powderworks; a boiling diesel of mighty Hirst proportions.

Neale Brain - guitars and vocals:

In addition to his varied cover projects, Neale was guitarist for Newcastle original three-piece, The Dread Sky. With a keen commitment to accurately presenting the best possible Oils experience, he and Ross seamlessly weave guitars and harmonies; one Rotsey to the other’s Moginie.

Jeremy Hackett - bass, vocals and harmonica:

Jeremy wrote for and fronted The Dread Sky. He joins Frank in the engine-room, covering the diverse styles of Andrew James, Peter Gifford and Bones Hillman. He bolsters Ross and Neale’s vocals, replicates Peter Garrett’s iconic harmonica parts and will be your MC for the evening.

Some have said that Midnight Oil is the only band to develop a truly Australian sound. Powderworks seeks to honour that legacy by bringing a representative selection of their songs back to the place where it all began; the local pubs and clubs of Australia.​

Powderworks presents best on a full stage with a dedicated in-house PA but is able to provide its own PA and sound engineer for an additional fee should that be required.

Powderworks is constantly tweaking its setlist for your listening pleasure. Currently:
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REDNECK WONDERLAND (intro) (Redneck Wonderland, 1998)
HERCULES (Species Deceases, 1985)
COLD COLD CHANGE (Head Injuries, 1979)
BRAVE FACES (Place Without a Postcard, 1981)
LUCKY COUNTRY (Place Without a Postcard, 1981)
I’M THE CURE (Bird Noises, 1980)
THE DEAD HEART (Diesel and Dust, 1987)
LURITJA WAY (Capricornia, 2002)
US FORCES (10-1, 1982)
KOSCIUSKO (Red Sails in the Sunset, 1984)

SHORT MEMORY (10-1, 1982)
TRUGANINI (Earth and Sun and Moon, 1993)
WRITTEN IN THE HEART (Place Without a Postcard, 1981)
BACK ON THE BORDERLINE (Head Injuries, 1979)
POWDERWORKS (Midnight Oil, 1978)
SOMETIMES (Diesel and Dust, 1987)
NO TIME FOR GAMES (Bird Noises, 1980)
BEDS ARE BURNING (Diesel and Dust, 1987)
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN (Blue Sky Mining, 1990)
DREAM WORLD (Diesel and Dust, 1987)
​
BLUE SKY MINE (Blue Sky Mining, 1990)
BEST OF BOTH WORLDS (Red Sails in the Sunset, 1984)
WHEN THE GENERALS TALK (Red Sails in the Sunset, 1984)
STAND IN LINE (Head Injuries, 1979)
PROGRESS (Species Deceases,1985)
PICTURES (Species Deceases, 1985)
ONLY THE STRONG (10-1, 1982)
FORGOTTEN YEARS (Blue Sky Mining, 1990)
POWER AND THE PASSION (10-1, 1982)
READ ABOUT IT (10-1, 1982)

and many more to come...

Band only, with PA, engineer and lighting provided by client - $800-$1800 dependent on travel distance
Band, PA, engineer and lighting - $1500-$2500 dependent on travel distance

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