The Saints

The Saints

Discography | Discography Part 2 | Kym Bradshaw Interview | Chris Bailey Interview | Links

What can you say about The Saints? Formed around 1974 as Kid Galahad & The Eternals in Brisbane Australia they released the punk classic Stranded / No Time on their own Fatal Records label when no other labels wanted to know. Its release in late '76 predated Anarchy In The UK and New Rose and their I'm Stranded Album predated The Damned first album in early '77.

Their brand of high octane punk/rock'n'roll first brought favourable reviews and then a recording deal with EMI Harvest in the UK. Expectation was high for The Saints' imminent arrival as the band described themselves as being ".. a punk group before it was fashionable." and their music seemed in tune with the current English punk scene.

Band: Chris Bailey - Vocals. Ed Kuepper - Guitar. Kym Bradshaw - Bass (later Algy Ward) and Ivor Hay - Drums.

How wrong we all were. Yes the music was in tune but the band wasn't. There were criticisms of their stage act as nondescript. Caroline Coon in 1988 The New Wave Punk Explosion describes them as "disappointing live and needing time to live up to their legend ". At the same time they were criticised for their non image at a time when image and attitude was an integral part of the new movement. These criticisms and comparisons to their compatriots AC/DC did not endear the UK and its punk scene to our Aussie friends who appeared to develop a siege mentality and a mighty large chip on their shoulders that remains even to this day (See Chris Bailey interview).

...We'd been playing this material for sometime and when news started filtering through we thought 'Oh no, the world's caught up with us." The band were hurt by the criticism and viewed punk as a put on as Chris Bailey in Sounds 16.7.77 states "British punk? Well I think 'Remote Control' was a great little record. It seemed so honest ....but having come over here, I see that that isn't true. Its all showbiz. Its all pose."

Disillusioned by the business aspect and their perceived plasticness of punk they decided to revert to their Stax and Motown influences introducing horns and harmonicas to their records and live shows.

	The result was inevitable. The Saints had misjudged their audience. Punk was both hardening and splitting in several different directions. The Saints direction was not one of them. Low record profile over the initial punk burst of 1977, diminishing record sales from their new sound and just general disillusionment meant the band split in late 1978.

Whether The Saints like it or not, it was luck that their music coincided with UK Punk and gave them the chance to express themselves and to release some of the most memorable tunes of the punk era. They could have just have died forgotten in the outback! To bemoan their lot years on and come out with statements like "we were 15 years too early for grunge...that's the story of our life...blah blah " doesn't really do the band any favours. Enjoy their music, The Saints were f***ing good!