Redgum

Redgum formed in 1975 in Dandenong, Victoria, with John Schumann on vocals and guitar, Michael Atkinson on bass, Hugh McDonald on drums, and Chris Timms on guitar. Their debut album included 'I Was Only Nineteen,' which became a national hit in Australia. The song's straightforward account of a young soldier's experience in Vietnam gave it a lasting place in the country's music.

Their music often dealt with social and political themes. Other songs like 'The Spirit Of The Land' and 'Asio' continued in this vein, addressing issues from Indigenous rights to environmental concerns without much ornamentation.

They released several albums through the early 1980s, including 'Frontline' in 1982 and 'Heroes' in 1984. The group's sound stayed rooted in folk, with songs like 'Beaumont Rag' and 'Carrington Cabaret' showing their range within that style. Their recordings have a direct, unpolished quality that suited the subjects they wrote about.