THE SAINTS '73-'78
Support: tbc
30.11.2025
Venue: Astra
Doors: 19:00
Start: 20:00
“Rock music in the ’70s was changed by three bands—the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and the Saints” – Sir Bob Geldof.
Featuring founding Saints members, guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay alongside honorary Saints; singer Mark Arm of Seattle rockers Mudhoney, former The Birthday Party / Bad Seeds guitarist Mick Harvey and bassist Peter Oxley of Australia’s legendary Sunnyboys, The Saints ’73 -’78 carry on where the original band left off in 1978 performing the material from their three incendiary albums (I’m) Stranded (1977), Eternally Yours (1978) and Prehistoric Sounds (1978).
“The Saints first three albums rank among the best records ever made. They have been a part of my life since stumbling upon them in the early 80s. Their influence looms large in Mudhoney world. I am stoked, stunned, and humbled that I get to join in on this Rock ‘n’ Roll Reality Camp with Ed, Ivor, Peter and Mick!”– Mark Arm
The tour also comes off the back of a recent 4 LP box set of 1977’s ground breaking debut (I’m) Stranded which features the original album remastered for vinyl for the first time in over 40 years, the previously unreleased 1976 mix of the album, a 5-song live performance from April 1977 at Sydney’s Paddington Town Hall, a full live show from the London’s Hope and Anchor in November 1977 plus all recordings from the 1977 Top 40 charting This Perfect Day and 1-2-3-4 ep sessions.
“... 10 tracks of fast and angry rock music that - unlike the Ramones and their copyists - used tension and release to heighten the effect of the mid-tempo Story Of Love and the shredding feedback jam Nights In Venice. An essential document this, from one of the era’s fiercest and greatest groups” - Jon Savage (Mojo)
All off it still sounds nearly as rowdy, feral and cheerfully full of itself as it must have at the time: between Bailey’s eloquent swagger and Kuepper’s furious gravity lay a total confidence in how utterly astonishing The Saints were.'’ - Andrew Mueller (Uncut)
For the Australian tour The Saints ’73-’78 were fleshed themselves out to an eight piece line-up which included a 3-piece brass section bringing to life all those previously unheard Prehistoric Sounds tracks, the classic Know Your Product and more. The same line-up will tour Europe.
"This wasn’t a tribute to the Saints … it was something else. It was eight guys on stage reaching for magic, devoted to the moment and delivering one of the greatest final furlongs I’ve seen in four decades of watching live music.” Sean Sennett Time Off
"The towering impressions left by the nights proceedings? That Kuepper is a motherfucker of a guitar-player, his sound just as molten and unrelenting as back in the day”. - UNCUT
“So… this was no tribute band… no hackneyed cabaret act. This was a band on fire. From the first few bars of opening song, This Perfect Day, through to the last drops of the chaotic frenzy that is Nights In Venice, The Saints pummelled our senses with 20 songs of jaw-dropping intensity” - Backseat Mafia
In their original guise The Saints existed from 1973-1978. Self-releasing the legendary (I’m) Stranded single in September 1976 and in the process pre-dating releases - and the yet-to be-named ‘punk’ scene - from Sex Pistols, Damned, Buzzocks and The Clash. Following the release of their debut album, also titled (I’m) Stranded, in February 1977, The Saints would move first to Sydneyt and then in May, to the UK playing their first show at the London Roundhouse with Ramones. Over the next twelve months the band would release their only UK charting record; the exquisite 7” This Perfect Day, record and release the 1-2-3-4ep and record two further albums, the critically acclaimed Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds (both 1978) before calling it quits.
In 2023 with the announcement of The Saints (I’m) Stranded box set and following the 2022 death of Chris Bailey, the decision was made to assemble a band who could most represent the songs performed on those first three incendiary albums. In Mudhoney’s Mark Arm, they found a singer, different in tone to Bailey, but who someone who could deliver with intensity and a real passion for the material. As one of the rare few to have seen the band perform on home soil in 1977, Mick Harvey (ex-Bad Seeds) was a natural choice to help replicate the extras parts played on the albums be it guitar or keyboard. Bassist Peter Oxley of Sydney’s legendary Sunnyboys has been a long-time foil of Kueppers across various solo and band entities and remains a firm disciple of 1977-78-era Saints bassist Algy Ward. Rounding out The Saints ’73-’78 is a three-piece brass section featuring both tenor and baritone sax, trumpet and French horn and includes masters of their craft; Eamon Dilworth and Julien Wilson.
“Of all the places for one of the best bands to come from, it’s Brisbane, Australia. And they were doing it way before anybody else. They were playing live in like, ‘73. They were just an amazing band. Sort of like the Australian version of the Ramones but they didn’t look the part. I remember at the time thinking, those guys need to go to the barber. But that’s how shallow a lot of people were about bands at the time and they didn’t get the recognition they deserved. And I feel it was because of the way they looked. Never was a more punky record made but for some reason, well, for the reasons I’ve just said, they were criminally overlooked. I’d love to have seen them live but never did.” - Jim Reid (The Jesus & Mary Chain)
"The Saints came down from Brisbane (to Melbourne) with a sound that they had worked out entirely on their own which really sat before the punk thing happened in Britain. They got there first. There was one prevailing emotion that came from those live shows and that was complete contempt, about everything, and that was really unbelievably exciting. They had it all down. We were just flailing around" - Nick Cave
(I’m) Stranded is one of the hottest walking, incendiary, original rock albums ever recorded. This record is still as relevant to me now as it was back then - Henry Rollins
