WE REALLY WERE THE ONLY GAME IN TOWN
A CONVERSATION WITH ED KUEPPER OF THE SAINTS ’73 – ’78
Although The Saints are best known as a punk and post-punk band, they actually started in 1973 in Brisbane, Australia. The band was formed by singer/songwriter Chris Bailey, drummer Ivor Hay and guitarist Ed Kuepper, who also wrote for the band. There were other key members and Hay found himself on bass and piano, but they were the core of the band. Following the release of their debut single “(I’m) Stranded”, the band not only found fans but a great deal of radio support, in their native Australia and eventually into Europe and the U.K. This led to further singles and their debut album, (I’m) Stranded, released in 1977. Two further albums followed (Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds in 1978). The band split when Kuepper left the band, leaving Bailey to bring in other members throughout the 1980s and beyond.
The original core reformed on several occasions, but in 2022, Chris Bailey passed away. However, the incredible box set for (I’m) Stranded was already being put together and it was released in 2023. The decision was made that Hay and Kuepper would form a new band to play the first two albums in concert. Joining the band was Mark Arm (of Mudhoney) on vocals, for Bad Seed member Mick Harvey (keyboards and guitars), and bassist Peter Oxley of Sydney’s legendary Sunnyboys. Taking the name The Saints ‘73 – ‘78, the band hit the road. Recently I had the chance to send some questions to Ed Kuepper in order to find out more about the current tour (which brings the band to Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Hall on November 13, 2025.
(I’M) STRANDED BOX SET AVAILABLE ON VINYL AND CD THROUGH IN THE RED RECORDS
When the band originally formed in 1973, the music scene in Brisbane was not the same as in other musical cities.
“Pretty much nonexistent, Brisbane had one venue in town where overseas bands and the bigger Australian bands would play. There was a small circuit for agency run cover bands and a couple of nightclubs, which were expensive and didn’t have good music. We put on our own shows by hiring halls and putting up posters etc… we really were the only game in town.
The box set for their debut album was well received and treated the album with the level of respect it deserved. “It was a lot of putting the box together, I thought it gave a better insight into the band than had previously been made available.”
Kuepper did not have any reservations bringing the band together and embarking on the tour. The box set certainly helped him make that decision. “It felt right to do something to promote the Saints early catalogue seeing as the first LP was reissued on the majestic boxset, and it just went on from there,” said Kuepper.
In bringing the band together and looking at the older songs, the only surprise that he had was the lack of a surprise.
“I’m not sure it’s true to say I was surprised, but it was nice to see that a lot of the material still had some currency after all this time. We are doing songs from the first three LPs which also includes the 3rd album Prehistoric Sounds, which didn’t get an American release… so some new stuff for people that haven’t heard that one. I think you always see things a bit differently when so much time has elapsed but the band had an admirable musical integrity which still shines through to me.”
The current band is somewhat bigger than the original, but it seemed necessary for them to do justice to the classic and iconic recordings/albums.
“We’re using the recorded versions of the songs as the template, so acoustic guitar, keys and horns are a part of that,” Said Kuepper. “We’re basically touring the way we would have if the band had continued. Some things have been elaborated a bit with room for everyone to kind of be themselves within that framework.”
One thing is clear, listening to the new live EP and seeing footage of the band live, they are having a great deal of fun celebrating the history of one of the most influential bands of all time. Artists such as Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Bob Geldof, and Nick Cave have all cited The Saints as an influence. Listening to their first few albums, one can see why they impacted these artists.
The band is back, in a different form, but the energy and vitality is still there. Ed Kuepper agrees.
“I found I still had a lot of love for the original band, glad it comes across.”
Artist Links
Main Photo Credit: Katelyn Slyer | Background Photo Credit: Mathew Ellery
