 After completing secondary education , Collins and Haug attended University of Queensland , where the latter met Bernard Fanning in an Economics class – and learned that Fanning had similar interests in music and he could sing . Fanning took over the role of lead vocals from Haug and also provided guitar and harmonica . Late in 1990 , Jon Coghill – another university student with Fanning and Haug – replaced Bishop on drums , which was described as a " mutual leaving " . Bishop later worked in London @-@ based bands before returning to Brisbane where he was a member of Moonjuice and then The Haymakers . Powderfinger 's final line @-@ up change was in 1992 with the addition of Darren Middleton ( The Pirates ) on guitar , keyboards and backing vocals . Powderfinger initially performed cover versions of other artists ' songs , but gradually developed by writing and performing their own material . 
