THE SAINTS ‘73-’78 + CHIMERS – ELECTRIC BALLROOM, CAMDEN, LONON 26.11.25
Back in 1977 I was still at school and one of my happier memories was being creative on the covers of some of my text books. I remember one had an orange cover, but can’t recall the subject (funny that) and on the front and back I had written at various angles and in capitals the names of a number of “punk” bands I was into back then. If only I knew whatever happened to it, then I could let you know all of the names! But by memory, I can remember seeing The Adverts, Buzzcocks, The Clash, the Ramones, X-Ray Spex, The Boomtown Rats, The Jam, Blondie, Generation X, and The Saints! (now The Saints ’73-’78).
Now to me The Saints sounded punk, even if they didn’t really look that punk and their debut single, ‘(I’m) Stranded’, certainly had an enjoyable fast beat, with some singalong lyrics. They seemed to be doing things on their own terms and maybe that’s a reason that John Peel would play the records. It’s around this time that The Saints played, as far as I know, their only ever Brighton gig, this was at the famed Top Rank Suite (now PRYZM) on 2nd November 1977. Sadly I wasn’t old enough to attend that event which also featured The Adverts and a band I don’t remember called The Rage.
Wind the clock forward to early 1980 and there I was in Woolworth’s in Western Road in Brighton and blow me down they only had both The Saints first two albums, ‘I’m Stranded’ (1977) and ‘Eternally Yours’ (1978), in their bargain bins for something like 50p or a £1. Well rude not to I thought! And that’s where my journey with The Saints ended…until now that is!
I knew that The Saints were an Australian outfit, but I didn’t really delve much deeper! Turns out they formed in Brisbane back in 1973 and around that time (1973–1974), they were known as Kid Galahad and the Eternals. The founding members were at school together, these being German-born Ed Kuepper (guitar), Brisbane-born Ivor Hay (drums) and Belfast-raised Chris Bailey (guitar and vocals), who sadly passed away in 2022. Their inspirations being the Stooges, MC5 and even Little Richard and Elvis Presley. Due to their raucous vocals and a buzzsaw guitar sound, they were considered an early punk rock outfit and it is said that they were the first band of their genre outside of the USA to release a punk record, namely the aforementioned ‘I’m Stranded’ which was recorded in June 1976 and came out in September 1976 on Fatal Records in Australia, and then released over here on 31st December 1976.
What I have found surprising is that The Saints, in one form or another, have released around 22 albums from 1977 to 2025. In 2017, Ed Kuepper decided it was time to revisit the music of his youth and assembled a new band under the banner of ‘The Aints!‘, who performed gigs throughout Australia of songs from their 1973-1978 period. In September 2018, ‘The Aints!’ released what is in essence the long lost fourth album by The (original) Saints; ‘The Church Of Simultaneous Existence’ which features songs written by Kuepper for The Saints in the period 1973-1978. Then last year Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay assembled The Saints ’73-’78 and brought in Mark Arm, Mick Harvey and Peter Oxley. Their new mission is to play tunes from the first three Saints albums, the aforementioned ‘I’m Stranded’ (1977) and ‘Eternally Yours’ (1978), as well as ‘Prehistoric Sounds’, which also dropped in 1978. They toured in their home country and such was the interest that the lads have ventured into Europe and the UK. Thus we find ourselves camped on the barrier of the 1,500-capacity Electric Ballroom in Camden. This venue has a special memory for me as it’s here that I witnessed Gary Numan’s 1000th concert, which took place on 15th April 2023 – Review HERE. Our last review from this establishment was for VNV Nation on 26th May 2023 – Review HERE.
As we patiently wait for the headliners and support act to grace us with their presence, I note that either side of the front of the stage there are two banners which proudly boast “Electric Ballroom Camden Town London Since 1938”, which is an impressive feat. It started out as an Irish ballroom and then was renamed as Electric Ballroom in the summer of 1978. So they have three years to go in order to celebrate their 50th anniversary under the name. Surely their marketing people are on the case and lining up a whole host of birthday celebration gigs for 2028!
Prior to The Saints ’73-’78 taking to the stage, I’m astounded to see that there are a mere three photographers in the pit and ours is one of them! So I guess that this, arguably, adds to the importance of this article and photos as a record of a great night out in London town!
Two minutes to nine and the intro tape blasts out, it’s a strange choice, it’s a lesser well known Ennio Morricone composition called ‘Death Rides A Horse (Vocal)’ from the ‘Death Rides A Horse (Da Uomo A Uomo) (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’, which is off the 1967 Italian spaghetti Western directed by Giulio Petroni, written by Luciano Vincenzoni and starring Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law.
At 9:02pm the band takes to the stage and there’s more of them than anticipated. We have the core of The Saints founder members Ed Kuepper on Gibson guitar, and Ivor Hay on drums; as well as American singer and songwriter Mark Arm on lead vocals, who is best known as the vocalist for grunge band Mudhoney; Australian born Mick Harvey of The Birthday Party fame on guitar, Crumar Mojo keys and backing vocals; and Australian born Peter Oxley (on Fender Precision bass and backing vocals) who was in Aussie pop-rock band The Sunnyboys, who I’ve never heard of. In addition to the core band, they have also brought along a brass trio, which comprises Eamon Dilworth on trumpet, Julien Wilson on tenor saxophone and Terry Edwards on baritone saxophone who looks familiar to me, but I can’t place where from. It’s worth noting that their roadie Troy Purnell turns up on harmonica and backing vocals for ‘Run Down’ from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album.
They kick off with ‘Swing For The Crime’ which flows on nicely from the intro tape. This is found on 1978’s ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album which I have to admit totally passed me by at the time, probably on account of its unpunk looking cover! The beats pick up with the blues punk number ‘No Time’ from 1977’s ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album. After which the horn section vacated the stage for a while. Amazingly ‘This Perfect Day’ from 1978’s ‘Eternally Yours’ album is up next! Talk about showing your hand early! This was a massive set highlight for yours truly!
Mark Arm unleashes “Ain’t nobody tells me what to do now; I’ve heard all the lies and been promised the world”, which signals the start of ‘Lost And Found’ which is also on ‘Eternally Yours’ which is well received by the punters, many of whom I note are from other punk bands from the community! It’s three in a row from ‘Eternally Yours’ as the lads deliver the Rolling Stones meets Lou Reed meets Mink De Ville-esque ‘Memories Are Made Of This’ with the standout line “You’re living your life in a chain gang”. The faster punk anthem of ‘Private Affair’ makes it four in a row from ‘Eternally Yours’. I have forgotten exactly how great this track is and it’s exciting to hear it live!
After this Ed jests that they are going to be “playing a couple of songs off our latest record” and they deliver the slow ‘Brisbane (Security City)’ which is actually from 1978’s ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album, talk about acting the role! The first half of the track is a bit bland if I’m honest, but the lads do rock on out for the second half, which saves it somewhat. After which Ed tells us that the next track is “A romantic tune”, and this turns out to be the proto-punk sounding ‘Story Of Love’ from their debut long-player. They return to a couple of cuts from ‘Prehistoric Sounds’, the former being ‘The Prisoner’ which sees Mick Harvey sitting at his keys for the first time. This track has a Western swing vibe to it, and something like Wire or Wreckless Eric springs to mind. The second cut was the horns heavy ‘The Chameleon’ with its very abrupt ending, and prior to this a chap not far behind me bellows out “Ed Kuepper I love you” and goes on to say he is his hero and inspiration. This brings a smile across Ed’s face as he takes it all in.
Mark Arm bellows “The TV screen becomes my eye” which signals the arrival of the punk heavy hitter ‘No, Your Product’ from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’. It’s another corker for yours truly! As mentioned above, roadie Troy Purnell takes to the stage and immediately sets about playing his harmonica and then adding backing vocals for ‘Run Down’, which has an urgent punk vibe and strangely X-Ray Spex spring to mind, God knows why! This is an absolute sub three minute blinder and very much a set highlight for not just myself, but judging by the crowd, it is for them as well. It really does seem that they, like myself, are feeding off of the faster punky numbers found across the first two albums! I’m beginning to wish that they had maybe just played both of them all the way through! But maybe they will do that next time, he said hopefully! Moving on…
Eamon, Julien and Terry show us where it’s at for the beginning of ‘Messin’ With The Kid’ from ‘(I’m) Stranded’ and Mark lets loose with “It ain’t too easy being a young man”. After which we get the track that I’m assuming a majority of the punky types present most want to hear, this being their debut ‘(I’m) Stranded’ single, for which there is quite a bit of bouncing and pogoing down the front. The band, however, are well past pogoing, not that I’m ever sure that they did that, and throughout the evening they remain rooted to their individual spots, which I guess made it easier for the trio of the photographers down in the pit!
Ed then introduces the horn section plus the band and they play out the main set with ‘Know Your Product’ from ‘Eternally Yours’ which, for me, had the standout line of “Never gonna give me what I want”. After which the band left the stage! The punters bellowed and of course they came back, but not for “one more song” but four of them! These being the speedy ‘(I’m) Misunderstood’ from ‘Eternally Yours’ with its guitar strum intro and drums lead in, the Stooges and Mott The Hoople-esque ‘All Times Through Paradise’ from ‘Prehistoric Sounds’, the early Damned ‘New Rose’/’Smash It Up’-like ‘Demolition Girl’ from ‘(I’m) Stranded’ and finally the gritty riff laden ‘Nights In Venice’ from ‘(I’m) Stranded’. And there you have it! Job done!
Finally I get to see The Saints (of sorts) in the flesh! It’s been just a bit special to say the least! Fingers crossed for another venture next year! If you wish to find out more about the early days of The Saints, then you can do no wrong by visiting From The Archives page on them HERE.
The Saints ’73-’78:
Ed Kuepper – guitar
Ivor Hay – drums
Mark Arm – lead vocals
Mick Harvey – guitar, keys, backing vocals
Peter Oxley – bass, backing vocals
Eamon Dilworth – trumpet
Julien Wilson – tenor saxophone
Terry Edwards – baritone saxophone
Troy Purnell – harmonica, backing vocals
The Saints ’73-’78 setlist:
(Intro tape) ‘Death Rides A Horse (Vocal)’ by Ennio Morricone (from ‘Death Rides A Horse (Da Uomo A Uomo) (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)’ album)
‘Swing For The Crime’ (from 1978 ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album)
‘No Time’ (from 1977 ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album)
‘This Perfect Day’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘Lost And Found’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘Memories Are Made Of This’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘Private Affair’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘Brisbane (Security City)’ (from 1978 ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album)
‘Story Of Love’ (from 1977 ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album)
‘The Prisoner’ (from 1978 ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album)
‘The Chameleon’ (from 1978 ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album)
‘No, Your Product’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘Run Down’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘Messin’ With The Kid’ (from 1977 ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album)
‘(I’m) Stranded’ (from 1977 ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album)
‘Know Your Product’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
(encore)
‘(I’m) Misunderstood’ (from 1978 ‘Eternally Yours’ album)
‘All Times Through Paradise’ (from 1978 ‘Prehistoric Sounds’ album)
‘Demolition Girl’ (from 1977 ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album)
‘Nights In Venice’ (from 1977 ‘(I’m) Stranded’ album)
(All songs Kuepper / Bailey except ‘Memories’, ‘Brisbane, Story Of Love’, ‘Demolition Girl’ all Kuepper).
Support on the tour comes from Chimers who are coming at us from Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. They state that they are a “Big sound for a two piece” and comprise Irish born Padraic Skehan on Gibson guitars and lead vocals, and Binx on drums and vocals. I learned that Binx was also a member of a female garage rock outfit The Fangin’ Felines.
The first Chimers release came back in 2020 with the arrival of their ‘Mono’/’Got Time’ single which saw the light of day on 10th March that year. Since then they have managed to put out a couple of albums, these being 2021’s ‘S/T’ and last year’s ‘Through Today’. We are in Chimers company for 35 minutes, from 8:00pm to 8:35pm, and in that time the duo successfully rattle off 11 compositions, a trio from their debut album, six from the current ‘Through Today’ as well as a couple of yet-to-be released tracks.
They take to the stage and offer up a call to arms strum and drum in order to get the punters attention and heading into the sizable performance room. We are hit with a trio of cuts from ‘Through Today’, these being ‘Gossip’, ‘Generator’ and ‘Glossary’. I note that Binx tends to play her drums with her eyes mainly shut, in order (I guess) for concentration and to feel the music. When I look across to Padraic he is very much doing the same. They are offering a fast strumming and drumming operation here, and I find myself getting totally absorbed into Binx’s drumming. This actually increases with intensity throughout their performance and I’m honestly very impressed with her solid style, which features continual bass drum rapid fire action. It’s punk meets, post-punk, meets a rapid version of Brighton’s defunct Morning Smoke.
A few tunes in and Padraic finally addresses the crowd, “Cheers. Thanks London. Thanks for coming in a little early. We’ve travelled from Wollongong to be here to play for you. It’s a pleasure”. After a trio of solid tracks from ‘S/T’, namely ‘Beasts’, ‘Rhythms’ and ‘Later Skater’, we are rewarded with a couple of unreleased tunes, these being ‘Like Summer’ and ‘Optik’, and Binx takes on lead vocal duty on one of these.
The duo are very much in tune with each other and when there are miniscule stops in the beats and sound, they are both on point, which is a pleasure to experience. Padraic switches one Gibson guitar with Bigsby tremolo for another Gibson around this point and we get ‘Timber’ from ‘Through Today’ and for the penultimate offering, ‘People Listen (To The Radio)’ from the same record with Eamon Dilworth on trumpet and Julien Wilson on tenor saxophone joining them on stage for added depth. They finish up on the even faster ‘3AM’ from the current album.
With a double “thank you” from them both they are gone! They are indeed correct, their sound does sound like more than just two people. The 11 tracks don’t really deviate in sound that much, and some might suggest that they were a bit samey, but that never hurt the Ramones did it! I would love to see them live in action again! They should apply to play The Great Escape new music festival and come to Brighton, as they would do very well!
Chimers:
Padraic Skehan – guitar, vocals
Binx – drums, vocals
Eamon Dilworth – trumpet
Julien Wilson – tenor saxophone
Chimers setlist:
‘Gossip’ (from 2024 ‘Through Today’ album)
‘Generator’ (from 2024 ‘Through Today’ album)
‘Glossary’ (from 2024 ‘Through Today’ album)
‘Beasts’ (from 2021 ‘S/T’ album)
‘Rhythms’ (from 2021 ‘S/T’ album)
‘Later Skater’ (from 2021 ‘S/T’ album)
‘Like Summer’ (unreleased)
‘Optik’ (unreleased)
‘Timber’ (from 2024 ‘Through Today’ album)
‘People Listen (To The Radio)’ (from 2024 ‘Through Today’ album)
‘3AM’ (from 2024 ‘Through Today’ album)
