The Saints, Supplied
The Saints‘ founding guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay are hitting the road in celebration of the seminal punk band’s first three albums this November. Mudhoney vocalist Mark Arm will join Kuepper and Hay for The Saints ’73-‘78 national tour, alongside former Bad Seed/The Birthday Party guitarist Mick Harvey and Sunnyboys bass player Peter Oxley.
“The Saints’ first three albums rank among the best records ever made,” Arm said in a statement. Songs from these albums – (I’m) Stranded (1977), Eternally Yours (1978) and Prehistoric Sounds (1978) – will fill the tour setlist. The former is regarded as a landmark release in the development of punk rock, both in Australia and internationally. Its title track was named one of APRA’s Top 30 Australian songs in 2001.
The tour coincides with the release of a 4LP (I’m) Stranded box set, featuring the original album remastered for vinyl for the first time in 40 years. The set also comes with a previously unreleased 1976 demo mix of the album; the three-song “This Perfect Day” single; the four-song One Two Three Four EP; five songs recorded live at Paddington Town Hall in April 1977; and a complete recording of The Saints live at London’s Hope & Anchor Front Row Festival in November 1977.
“It’s been an exhausting yet thrilling process being involved in the creation of this box set,” Kuepper said in a statement. “It’s been 51 years in the making and has possibly turned out even better than I anticipated.”
Kuepper, Hay and vocalist Chris Bailey founded The Saints in Brisbane in 1973. They released “(I’m) Stranded,” their debut single, in September 1976 – two months before Sex Pistols released “Anarchy in the U.K.” Bass player Algy Ward joined in 1977 and this foursome stayed together long enough to make Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds.
The band’s classic lineup split in 1979, but Bailey continued to use The Saints’ name over next few decades, releasing eleven further albums before his death in 2022. Despite his and Bailey’s well-known creative differences, Kuepper reflected fondly on the (I’m) Stranded box set.
“It’s by far the most extensive appraisal of the band, both aurally and visually, that has ever been made available,” he said, “and hopefully reveals some things people may not have known about the band.” Pre-order it here.
The Saints - "This Perfect Day" (Live on Top of the Pops, 1977)
The Saints ‘73-’78 Australian tour
Wed 13 Nov – Hindley St. Music Hall, Adelaide
Friday 15 Nov – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – sold out
Saturday 16 Nov – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne – sold out
Sunday 17 Nov – Northcote Theatre, Melbourne
Wednesday 20 Nov – Freo.Social, Perth
Chimers Friday 22 Nov – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
Saturday 23 Nov – Princess Theatre, Brisbane – sold out
Sunday 24 Nov – Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Tickets via Feel Presents
