Midnight Oil
Gifford is credited[by whom?] with creating a significant part of the Oils' tight, driving sound, and has been described[by whom?] as being an aggressive bass guitarist. He played on the albums Place without a Postcard (1981), 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 (1982), Red Sails in the Sunset (1984) and Diesel and Dust (1987), as well the EPs Bird Noises (1980) and Species Deceases (1985).
Gifford joined the band in 1980 after hearing on the radio about the auditions for a replacement for bassist Andrew James, whose poor health required him to withdraw from the band. He was actually driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge to work as a roadie at the time. The band was looking for a more aggressive style of bass playing (an 'animal' in the words of guitarist Jim Moginie).[citation needed]
Gifford predominantly played a Fender Precision Bass guitar and this can be seen in the Oils on the Water concert, performed on Goat Island in 1985. His bass solo work in live performances of "Stand in Line" was his signature.[citation needed] He also played the Chapman Stick on the tracks "Sleep" and "Who Can Stand in the Way" on the Red Sails in the Sunset album, and in concert. Gifford provided many backing vocals for the band, and is credited by longtime producer Nick Launay as being a significant contributor in the recording studio.[citation needed]
In 1987, he left the group, due to personal reasons. He was later replaced by Bones Hillman.
