Midnight Oil and Violent Femmes Members Form Surf Band

Posted on Jan 26th 2010 4:00PM by Pat Pemberton

Members of Midnight Oil have teamed with Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie to form a new surf band, which could eventually tour popular surf spots around the world. The band, called the Break, wrote an album of 15 tracks in nine days, according to various Australia's Herald Sun. An album, 'Church of the Open Sky,' is set to be released in Australia in April.

While the Australian-based Midnight Oil is known for its politically-charged songs, the Break's music will be mostly instrumental. The band will include Oils members Rob Hirst, Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey. The band's lead singer, Peter Garrett, is currently the Minister for the Environment in Australia.

In its early days, Midnight Oil actually played to surf crowds before gaining a wider following. Early songs included 'Surfing With a Spoon' and 'Surf's Up.' The Violent Femmes, from Milwaukee, had less of a surf connection, though songs like 'Girl Trouble' featured surf guitar. Ritchie first met the guys from Midnight Oil while both bands toured together in the 80s. In 2006, Ritchie moved to Australia.

The Break plans to tour Australia in conjunction with the album's release. If the record and tour are successful, they might perform internationally -- including the West Coast -- at places where surfing is popular.