In Praise of: The Saints

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I picked up (I'm) Stranded a couple years ago for $5 and loved it, some of most propulsive, filthy punk rock I've ever heard. Being Australian and all I already knew the songs (I'm) Stranded" and "Know Your Product". The CD went missing and I found it a few days ago. To my delight it still sounded brilliant. I Immediately downloaded their best of. A treasure-trove of unhinged rock'n'roll would-be classics.
I am in utter awe of their fantasticnesses, even their their slower songs ("All Times Through Paradise" and "Memories Are Made of This) are great.

Proclaim your love for this fabulous band.

Nic de Teardrop (Nicholas), Sunday, 5 June 2005 23:54 (twenty years ago)

Someone hawked it to me on 12" for £10 the other day. I'm pretty sure i got ripped off.

Still a great fucking album though.

Hari A$hur$t (Toaster), Sunday, 5 June 2005 23:58 (twenty years ago)

"(I'm) Stranded" is probably the single greatest Punk single of all time (yes, better than the Ramones, the `Pistols, etc.)

Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 6 June 2005 00:01 (twenty years ago)

Nice score.

I don't know how Pounds/AUS$ relate, I assume that would be about $20-$25 Aus (normal CD price)... in which case you certainly didn't get ripped off. If it was original you ripped HIM off, as i've NEVER seen it on vinyl, anywhere.

Also: Alex is right.

Nic de Teardrop (Nicholas), Monday, 6 June 2005 00:04 (twenty years ago)

(This) Perfect Day is better

Ben Dot (1977), Monday, 6 June 2005 01:02 (twenty years ago)

I never tire of the first three Saints LPs. They always had that super visceral rock and roll dirt (a la Dolls, Thunders) that so many of their English contemporaries didn't have.

Brooker Buckingham (Brooker B), Monday, 6 June 2005 01:06 (twenty years ago)

'Eternally Yours' might well be my favourite rock album

Seuss, Monday, 6 June 2005 01:09 (twenty years ago)

Definitely one of the absolute best of the early punk bands. "One Way Street," "Know Your Product" anyone?

Zack Richardson (teenagequiet), Monday, 6 June 2005 02:59 (twenty years ago)

Prehistoric Hits.

jack cole (jackcole), Monday, 6 June 2005 03:02 (twenty years ago)

They always had that super visceral rock and roll dirt (a la Dolls, Thunders) that so many of their English contemporaries didn't have.

-- Brooker Buckingham (brooker...), June 6th, 2005.

they had SPEED on their side, too.

latebloomer: Pain Don't Hurt (latebloomer), Monday, 6 June 2005 04:39 (twenty years ago)

the 'wild about you' double-disc thing on raven is essential and bloody good value too

shine headlights on me (electricsound), Monday, 6 June 2005 04:42 (twenty years ago)

and when ol chris got fat and drunken and started playing acoustic guitar?

mullygrubbr (bulbs), Monday, 6 June 2005 04:48 (twenty years ago)

post-Keuper, only the Saints in name -- just crap.

jack cole (jackcole), Monday, 6 June 2005 04:53 (twenty years ago)

i miss your poetry, jc

Orbit (Orbit), Monday, 6 June 2005 04:54 (twenty years ago)

"(I'm) Stranded" is probably the single greatest Punk single of all time (yes, better than the Ramones, the `Pistols, etc.)
-- Alex in NYC

Seconded (or is it thirded?)

moley (moley), Monday, 6 June 2005 05:27 (twenty years ago)

(I'm) Stranded is one of my favorite punk albums.

This is due, in no small part, to the gigantic voicecrush I have on Chris Bailey.

babyalive (babyalive), Monday, 6 June 2005 07:16 (twenty years ago)

Will I get beaten if I say that I quite liked some of All Fools Day? Eternally Yours reigns supreme though.

NickB (NickB), Monday, 6 June 2005 07:27 (twenty years ago)

i love love love love the saints. for me, one of those bands that marks a major change in your outlook/tastes.

Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Monday, 6 June 2005 07:35 (twenty years ago)

The Saints was worthless noisy bilge which proves there was nothing worth in Australian music before it was rescued by INXS.

Comstock Carabinieri (nostudium), Monday, 6 June 2005 07:53 (twenty years ago)

For a change I agree with Alex on this one.

Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Monday, 6 June 2005 07:56 (twenty years ago)

Chris Bailey has such a perfect sneer in his voice

Seuss, Monday, 6 June 2005 07:57 (twenty years ago)

I do not agree. Punks rocks was the worst thing to happen to pop music in the last 30 years. We would all have been better off without it.

Comstock Carabinieri (nostudium), Monday, 6 June 2005 07:58 (twenty years ago)

who is this troll?

Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Monday, 6 June 2005 08:02 (twenty years ago)

oh, it's marcello. marcello, take a nap.

Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Monday, 6 June 2005 08:03 (twenty years ago)

No, you are the who is this troll because you fail to realise that punks rocks destroyed melody and belief and honesty and it took 30 years before Ben Folds could rescue it so you should the take a nap then you might awaken to musics as it should be played, for instance the Hollys.

Comstock Carabinieri (nostudium), Monday, 6 June 2005 08:05 (twenty years ago)

I didn't truly realise I loved them until "Know Your Product" grabbed me on the 364th casual exposure. They were great with brass, and Prehistoric Sounds was the sometimes overlooked culmination of that stuff. The only item I find difficult to praise is that 1974 demos record.

No further encouraging advice re: the post-Kuepper era then?

Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Monday, 6 June 2005 12:51 (twenty years ago)

I kinda liked Paralytic Tonight, Dublin Tomorrow. And the version of "Dizzy Miss Lizzy" on The Monkey Puzzle. And some of All Fools' Day, too. But the first 3 LPs, that's the stuff.

pauls00, Monday, 6 June 2005 13:39 (twenty years ago)

ten months pass...
going to see the saints (well, Chris Bailey, anyway) in Toronto next week. Anyone seen them tour recently? What to expect?

Found this bit of stranded video goodness on YouTube. They must've been an amazing band to see in the mid 70s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XQCfk69tFI&feature=PlayList&p=B5D6165CFA6F92B0&index=2

pauls00, Wednesday, 19 April 2006 16:33 (twenty years ago)

The problem with the Saints is that all their songs go on too long. I'm Stranded shouldn't be more than 2:30. And Nights In Venice is practically interminable.

kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 17:04 (twenty years ago)

...yarbles, the more the merrier say I

TS: Mick Ralphs vs. Ariel Bender (Dada), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 17:18 (twenty years ago)

They're at the Horseshoe correct?

Rufus 3000 (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 17:26 (twenty years ago)

Woooaaahhh!! AWESOME clip. I had no idea that existed - the first lp cover is from the same shoot. Great, great stuff.

Soukesian, Wednesday, 19 April 2006 17:45 (twenty years ago)

Oh dear. I saw the Saints before Christmas and they sucked terribly.

Good luck.

Colonel Poo (Colonel Poo), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 17:46 (twenty years ago)

yeah, at the 'shoe on the 27th. sorry to hear they sucked before christmas. I don't have really high hopes for this show, but I figured I'd take a chance on 'em. Did it suck like a punkrock oldies show, or like a "here's some of our lousy new stuff" show?

pauls00, Wednesday, 19 April 2006 19:22 (twenty years ago)

"I'm Stranded" is my favorite punk album of all time, and probably one of my twenty favorite records overall. I realize that probably makes me crazy but so it goes.

polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 21:48 (twenty years ago)

Choose one song for Ashlee Simpson to cover

Rickey Wright (Rrrickey), Wednesday, 19 April 2006 21:55 (twenty years ago)

Never have seen them, saw Ed Kuepper a few times, but no Saints. Wouldn't mind though. Even if it's documented that they suck, I'd still go. I'm also harboring a 'voicecrush' on Chris B. I'd go see him hula hoop on stage if they were selling tickets...

VegemiteGrrl (VegemiteGrrl), Thursday, 20 April 2006 01:38 (twenty years ago)

chris bailey, what a fuckin' dickhead.

dr lulu (dr lulu), Thursday, 20 April 2006 02:05 (twenty years ago)

eleven months pass...
Ed Kuepper has been playing around the traps with original Laughing Clowns drummer Jeffrey Wegener and Sunnyboy Peter Oxley. Capital!

mentalist, Thursday, 22 March 2007 12:18 (nineteen years ago)

well awl RIGHT!!!

Mark G, Thursday, 22 March 2007 12:35 (nineteen years ago)

Good thread! I love 'I'm Stranded' (the song!) and some bits from the first album, but 'Eternally Yours" is almost perfect, one of the most underrated albums of that era.

zeus, Thursday, 22 March 2007 20:08 (nineteen years ago)

yes...and Algy Ward went on to kick ass with the Damned on Machine Gun Ettiquette...

dan selzer, Thursday, 22 March 2007 20:42 (nineteen years ago)

Agree with Zeus (and whoever else) about Eternally Yours. One of the best rock and roll albums ever recorded. Definitely in my personal top 10. I'm Stranded rocks harder, but I don't love it quite as much.

Pye Poudre, Thursday, 22 March 2007 21:26 (nineteen years ago)

agreed that 'eternally yours' is one fucking hell of an album; it's aged remarkably well.

"let's shoot the professor!"

Mike McGooney-gal, Thursday, 22 March 2007 21:32 (nineteen years ago)

one month passes...
omg they're reforming!!!

haitch, Monday, 30 April 2007 10:56 (nineteen years ago)

surely more exciting is the reformation shows by PINEAPPLES FROM THE DAWN OF TIME and UPS AND DOWNS???

might pop along to this festival

electricsound, Monday, 30 April 2007 10:59 (nineteen years ago)

road trip!

haitch, Monday, 30 April 2007 11:01 (nineteen years ago)

The Best Auatralian band along woth Birthday Party.
havent listn to them in awhile though,thanks for reminding me..

Zeno, Monday, 30 April 2007 11:28 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.mywaytravel.no/images/monasteries/stantony_4saints_c580.jpg

Geir Hongro, Monday, 30 April 2007 11:31 (nineteen years ago)

They can't hold a candle to Radio Birdman.

Bill Magill, Monday, 30 April 2007 14:34 (nineteen years ago)

Yeah, think I saw it for that price in the short lived record shop that was around from about this time last year to its sudden closing in January. Got some interesting stuff in.

Stevolende, Tuesday, 21 August 2018 11:46 (seven years ago)

two years pass...

https://rhythms.com.au/clinton-walkers-stranded-gets-reboot/

Clinton WAlker book Stranded on Aussie rock getting reissued in expanded version

curmudgeon, Thursday, 18 February 2021 17:09 (five years ago)

Nice. The Saints and the Aussie 70s/80s underground scene had a renaissance in the 00s but has faded away since then, maybe this book will generate further interest.

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 18 February 2021 18:13 (five years ago)

yeh - on a related note ive been thinking someone really oughtta put together a killer single-disc Laughing Clowns comp especially for vinyl - it’s outrageous that all their stuff is out of print again

the least famous person you were surprised to discover (emsworth), Thursday, 18 February 2021 20:00 (five years ago)

I mean maybe that someone is me, I dunno

the least famous person you were surprised to discover (emsworth), Thursday, 18 February 2021 20:00 (five years ago)

All Times Through paradise teh comprehensive box set of teh Kuepper years is really good.
I thought it came with video of teh Paddington Town Hall set but I think it may just be audio but good to ahve anyway.

I saw that Stranded thing was coming out next week earlier. THink it just came to me that I'd seen it was due sometimne reasonably soon when i was on Book Depository so checked it. Left a note on teh Birthday Party thread a couple of hours ago.
I have teh inner City Sound but have waited ages for a copy of thsi to get released. Cool

Stevolende, Thursday, 18 February 2021 20:05 (five years ago)

three weeks pass...

Stranded just dropped through the door today so that's ok.
Only been wanting to read this for ooh longtimer, coupla decades or sumfin.

Stevolende, Thursday, 11 March 2021 16:07 (five years ago)

Awesome. Should likely be a great one

curmudgeon, Thursday, 11 March 2021 19:11 (five years ago)

timely revive, it seems Ed Kuepper heard my plea for a good single disc Laughing Clowns comp and has just announced that CD-era best-of Golden Days will be pressed on to vinyl alongside a solo singles comp and an Aints live LP

https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/ed-kuepper-announces-three-new-compilations-including-rare-laughing-clowns-vinyl-2897922?amp

the least famous person you were surprised to discover (emsworth), Thursday, 11 March 2021 19:29 (five years ago)

I think Ed Kuepper is giving The Fall a run for the title of Most Compilations. My fave is the 3CD "This Is The Magic Mile".

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, 11 March 2021 23:37 (five years ago)

it’s a good one! misses the 1980s stuff though

hopefully these new LPs will also go up on Spotify where Edmund is criminally underrepresented

could also go a nice vinyl reissue of Honey Steel’s Gold, which is selling for daft money these days - was listening to Talk Talk yesterday and felt perhaps Spirit of Eden was an influence on Ed around this time

the least famous person you were surprised to discover (emsworth), Friday, 12 March 2021 04:54 (five years ago)

hopefully these new LPs will also go up on Spotify where Edmund is criminally underrepresented

he has at least three whole Bandcamps though!

(one is just one album, one is a handful of self-releases, and the last Bridegroom album is on Consume)

I think Ed Kuepper is giving The Fall a run for the title of Most Compilations.

I eyeball it as
Laughing Clowns: 3 albums, 3 live albums, 3 coherent best-of type comps
The Aints: a live debut, two albums, an album of self-covers and a live album of Saints covers, plus a reclaimed bootleg, and ONE best-of
Ed Kuepper: 16 studio-ish albums (and lots of EPs), 1 soundtrack and 1 soundtracky comp, one covers album, five albums of self-covers & out-takes, 8 best-of or era-focused comps (plus another one as a bonus disc)... and at least 16 multi-track or reclaimed-bootleg or radio-session comp live albums.

That might actually beat The Fall for how comprehensively his "additional" albums outdo his studio records?

armoured van, Holden (sic), Friday, 12 March 2021 08:05 (five years ago)

I don't think i was aware taht jeffrey Wegener was a Yong Charlatan before he was a Laughing Clown. Before this morning that is.
Does taht explain why he was the drummer on teh last birthday Party shows, I thought he was simply an availble known drummer but I'm only finding out about those 2 bands in hindsight of knowing he was the drummer on those last shows.
Looks like he was in the Saints for a while too.

Stevolende, Friday, 12 March 2021 10:48 (five years ago)

always been curious to hear a recording of wegener and the birthday party - I know there are bootlegs around

was just saying the other night that I’d love to see him play again - he was very active around 10 years ago, playing mostly with Ed and the Clowns - but also Louis Tillett, had a nice duo thing with Mick Turner - extraordinary drummer

the least famous person you were surprised to discover (emsworth), Saturday, 13 March 2021 00:43 (five years ago)

one year passes...

Chris Bailey has passed:

https://www.facebook.com/TheSaintsOfficial/posts/5097509146962175

Ned Raggett, Sunday, 10 April 2022 20:49 (four years ago)

bummer

1 of the best to ever do it, as i believe you young people say

the coming of prince kajagoogoo (doo rag), Sunday, 10 April 2022 23:19 (four years ago)

hadn't seen it before but this video is beautiful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9M3b9lh-7s

o shit the sheriff (NickB), Sunday, 10 April 2022 23:24 (four years ago)

RIP

Helly Watch the R’s (James Redd and the Blecchs), Sunday, 10 April 2022 23:48 (four years ago)

This is sad, though I haven't been into his work for quite some time. All the post-Kuepper albums are great through "All Fools Day". I've never checked our Chris' solo albums, will rectify that now.

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Monday, 11 April 2022 01:25 (four years ago)

Yeah I was suddenly conscious of never having given his post-Keupper work much time. The feeling of it not being the Proper Saints probably meant I was less inclined to check it out, curious to listen to it with a more generous perspective.

Always liked this clip though, really captures the final years of a certain kind of Sydney pub - and Tracey Pew exuding cool -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYA5WdP47Y0

lemmy incaution (emsworth), Monday, 11 April 2022 02:14 (four years ago)

I regret to inform us all that this recent music video can drink and vote

beepy fridges (sic), Monday, 11 April 2022 07:04 (four years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5YP_tsPzmg

Stevolende, Monday, 11 April 2022 11:32 (four years ago)

Yep that’s the ultimate

The original Saints obv had killer song after killer song - but there’s something about Nights in Venice… I know Ed has talked about how it had a hypnotic surging effect live and I’ve definitely seen him play versions that had that quality - what a tune anyway

lemmy incaution (emsworth), Monday, 11 April 2022 12:32 (four years ago)

That All Times Through Paradise set is so good if one needed to get the Kuepper era material. Has a load of that gig on it plus all the released material plus a lot more bonus.
It was £10 when i got it a few years ago. I did think it had the video for Paddington before i got it but what's there is awesome.

I still need to get that Most Primitive Band In the World set I think . I know sound is not brilliant but would like a copy nonetheless.

Stevolende, Monday, 11 April 2022 12:57 (four years ago)

In July 1977, punk rock was officially banned from Glasgow so bands had to go to Paisley to play. The Saints played in Paisley Silver Thread Hotel in July 21st, 1977 and my sister has just posted on Facebook this photo of her and other Paisley punks with Chris Bailey.

https://i.imgur.com/JD7GZgV.jpg

Rick O'Shea (Tom D.), Monday, 11 April 2022 19:16 (four years ago)

sad news. great photo, Tom!

i can usually leave Nick Cave's Red Hand Files but this one is good - https://www.theredhandfiles.com/chris-baileys-amazing-voice/

stirmonster, Monday, 11 April 2022 19:33 (four years ago)

That's lovely Tom!

o shit the sheriff (NickB), Monday, 11 April 2022 19:37 (four years ago)

great photos from both Tom and Nick

beepy fridges (sic), Monday, 11 April 2022 23:56 (four years ago)

i love Bailey’s 1983 solo album, this is a nice live performance - he looks so nervous!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-3cIS-vZms

terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 12 April 2022 01:27 (four years ago)

and i have always loved “Just Like Fire Would” even though it took me a while to give non-Kuepper Saints much time of day

terminators of endearment (VegemiteGrrl), Tuesday, 12 April 2022 01:30 (four years ago)

So I don't know shit about this band other than "Stranded" and will probly be dipping into their catalog in a bit, but… Does anyone know whether this band had any interaction with Radio Birdman 45 years ago? were they friends? rivals? are brisbane and sydney so far away from each other that it would be like wondering if Fela and Youssou N'dour knew each other?

veronica moser, Tuesday, 12 April 2022 14:44 (four years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3oC_k5heuE

Rick O'Shea (Tom D.), Tuesday, 12 April 2022 14:55 (four years ago)

one wasn't a big fan of the other's logo and it caused a bit of friction like

Stevolende, Tuesday, 12 April 2022 15:55 (four years ago)

One of the best uses of horns in loud rock ever

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9M3b9lh-7s

\m/

bendy, Wednesday, 13 April 2022 02:04 (four years ago)

Otm. Knew what it was before I clicked and all I could see was the Zing camera icon.

Anita Quatloos (James Redd and the Blecchs), Wednesday, 13 April 2022 02:28 (four years ago)

three years pass...

Unbelievable show last night. Mark Arm just naturally sounding like Bailey and the rest of the band: Ed, Ivor, Mick Harvey, and Peter Oxley just crushing. If you think you might dig this, then absolutely do not miss it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DG8z4NNbq0

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 7 November 2025 05:00 (six months ago)

tour dates: https://thesaints73-78.com/shows

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 7 November 2025 05:00 (six months ago)

Oooo, nice. I bought tickets for next week’s NYC show months ago not really knowing what to expect.

early rejecter, Friday, 7 November 2025 06:27 (six months ago)

ragh bummed i missed this ;_; what a dream of a show

werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Friday, 7 November 2025 07:08 (six months ago)

Oooo, nice. I bought tickets for next week’s NYC show months ago not really knowing what to expect.

Ed Kuepper and Jim White are also playing a separate show at TV Eye on the 17th with Mick Harvey opening. This is another "if you think you might like this, then do not miss"

Kuepper/White played the night before. Unbelievable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIyxnmuoQDw

Elvis Telecom, Friday, 7 November 2025 08:30 (six months ago)

I've been debating going to see this in a few weeks but November is already v busy for gigs (although the one I was going to the night after the Saints play London has just been cancelled, so maybe I can manage it after all)

Colonel Poo, Friday, 7 November 2025 08:50 (six months ago)

Sad to have missed this for sure, somehow it skipped my notice, but I had a busy last night anyway so what can ya do.

Ned Raggett, Friday, 7 November 2025 17:13 (six months ago)

Ed Kuepper and Jim White are also playing a separate show at TV Eye on the 17th with Mick Harvey opening. This is another "if you think you might like this, then do not miss"

Oh wow, I missed that listing. I imagine my family is going to want me to spend my birthday with them but if they don’t have plans for me I’m there.

I’m sure it influenced my decision to get the Saints ticket at the time, but it was so long ago that I actually forgot that Harvey was playing with them. Really looking forward to this now.

early rejecter, Friday, 7 November 2025 23:48 (six months ago)

Man, same story. I had a friend text just now, get up here, there's no one here! I wish I didn't have a second beer and/or was aware of this before this minute.

Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 12 November 2025 02:52 (six months ago)

Still tickets for upcoming DC show ($40 plus $12 fees) on Sunday the 16th.

curmudgeon, Wednesday, 12 November 2025 05:38 (six months ago)

everyone! do not miss!

Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 12 November 2025 05:57 (six months ago)

Seattle show was good! But yeah, underpopulated enough that by the time the box office guy had manually unscrewed the three bolts to open the slot to take my credit card, and then bring up the currently-taking-place event on his screen, and manually type in my credit card number, some guy came out and gave me a VIP pass bcz his friend hadn’t shown

fall of the house of urrsher (sic), Wednesday, 12 November 2025 08:19 (six months ago)

DC show was good. Kuepper’s guitar playing was stellar. Cool seeing Mick Harvey up on stage too. A sizable crowd but not sold out. Mac from Superchunk came up from North Carolina to see the show. Mary Timony was there and Brendan Canty also.

curmudgeon, Monday, 17 November 2025 06:45 (six months ago)

I bet that Kuepper gig tonight in NY will be great

curmudgeon, Monday, 17 November 2025 18:07 (six months ago)

Yeah sadly going to miss that, but the full band show in Brooklyn was a blast. Not sure if it was sold out but must’ve been close; it was very packed.

early rejecter, Monday, 17 November 2025 18:11 (six months ago)


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