Species Deceases is an extended play by Australian rock band Midnight Oil, released on 26 November 1985 under the CBS record label. Debuting at No. 1 on the Australian Kent Music Report Singles Chart for six weeks from December 1985 to January 1986, Note: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1974 until Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) created their own charts in mid-1988. In 1992, Kent back calculated chart positions for 1970–1974. it was the first Australian single and/or EP to reach the number-one spot. Its chart appearance also remains the only time Midnight Oil topped the national singles chart.
Background and composition Species Deceases was produced with Francois Kevorkian at Paradise Studios, Darlinghurst for Sprint Music and distributed by Columbia. The EP features a "rumbling punk" sound, with Ian McFarlane adding, "In terms of sheer sonic firepower, it was one of the band's hardest hitting works".
A line from the song "Blossom and Blood" appeared in the message that got flashed on infected computers by the worm WANK: "You talk of times of peace for all and then prepare for war."
Commercial performance Species Deceases was certified platinum on 14 December 1985, two weeks after its release. The following day, and six years after its release, their second album Head Injuries was certified gold. The album became a big favourite of FM Radio around the world, with all four songs enjoying frequent airplay, sometimes all of them played back-to-back.
Track listing
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1985/86) Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) NOTE: Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988. 1
Year-end charts Chart (1985) Position Australia (Kent Music Report) 75 Chart (1986) Position Australia (Kent Music Report) 38
Certifications
Personnel Midnight Oil Peter Garrett – lead vocals, harmonica Peter Gifford – bass guitar, backing vocals Rob Hirst – drums, backing vocals Jim Moginie – lead guitar, keyboards Martin Rotsey – lead guitar
Production work Producer – Midnight Oil, Francois Kevorkian Engineer – David Price Assistant – Tom Colley Mixer – David Price, Midnight Oil Studio – Paradise Studios, Darlinghurst
Art work Artwork concept – Midnight Oil, Philip Ellett
Credits:
References
External links