The Saints '73-'78 — live event
Following a hugely successful debut Australian tour in 2024 (12,000 payers over 12 shows) The Saints ’73-’78 will make their UK debut this November. 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 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. For the Australian tour The Saints ’73-’78 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. In their original guise The Saints existed from 1973 -1978 self-releasing the legendary (I’m) Stranded single in September 1976 in the process pre-dating releases 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 moved to the UK in May playing their first show 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 1-2-3-4 ep and record two further albums, the critically acclaimed Eternally Yours (1978) and Prehistoric Sounds (1978) before calling it quits. Following their demise guitarist Ed Kuepper resisted the urge to perform under the banner of The Saints and instead returned to Australia to begin his new group, the equalling as ground-breaking Laughing Clowns who would prove a significant influence on the post-punk scene and in particular on Nick Cave and The Birthday Party and even residing in the UK for a spell. Eventually Kuepper would turn to his own name producing over 15 solo albums earning him numerous ARIA awards at home. He would continue to record instrumental soundtracks, revert to his more rock mode via albums with The Aints and The Aints! enjoy a spell as guitarist with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (replacing Mick Harvey) join forces with the experimental jazz outfit the Alister Spence Trio under the banner Asteroid Ekosystem and has just released After the Flood, an album with the brilliant Jim White, drummer for Dirty Three, The Hard Quartet and The Double. Saints singer Chris Bailey would carry on with the name The Saints continuing to move more into his first love of folk and r’n’b, finding some chart success in Australia during the mid-eighties. The Boss Bruce Springsteen even recording the Bailey track (Just Like) Firewould for his 2014 live album High Hopes. Saints founding members Bailey, Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay would eventually reform for Brisbane’s Pig City concert in 2007 releasing a live album of the same name and then again in 2009 at the behest of Mr. Cave and Mick Harvey for the Australian All Tomorrow’s Parties Festivals. These would be the last shows the original three would perform together. 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. Not choosing to replicate Bailey, in Mark Arm, the band found a singer who could deliver with intensity and a real passion for the material. Allrounder Mick Harvey (ex-Bad Seeds) was a natural choice to help replicate the parts played on the albums, be it guitar or keyboard, and also as he was one of the rare few to have seen the band perform in 1977 on home soil. Bassist Peter Oxley of Sydney’s legendary Sunnyboys has been a long-time foil of Kuepper’s 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. The Saints ’73-’78 will be the first time the material from the original band and their three albums plus respective eps and singles will be performed in the UK since March 1978. And joining The Saints ’73-’78 on all dates are fast-rising Australia duo Chimers. Recipients of numerous ‘best of 2024’ album nods for their sophomore effort Through Today released locally by 12XU records.
Starts: 2026-11-22T19:00:00Z
Ends: 2026-11-22T21:00:00Z
Where: Armley Road, England LS12 2DR, United Kingdom
Price: $43.92