The Saints are an influential Australian rock and roll band, formed in Brisbane in 1972 (see 1972 in music). The original members were schoolmates Chris Bailey ( a singer-songwriter, later a guitarist); Ed Kuepper (guitarist-songwriter) and; Ivor Hay (drummer). The Saints, who have never officially broken up, continue to inspire numerous other rock acts. Bailey is the only member who has lasted the distance, although the original line-up is regarded by many fans and critics as the most talented and influential.
Their musical inspiration came from sources as diverse as 1950s rock 'n' roll and 1960s Detroit punk band The Stooges. The Saints pre-empted the fast tempos and buzzing guitars of more widely-known punk acts like The Ramones and the Sex Pistols.
Rise to prominence
In 1976 (see 1976 in music), with bass player Kym Bradshaw , the band independently recorded and distributed copies of the classic single "(I'm) Stranded ", which garnered them an instant three album contract with EMI Records in the UK. Later the same year the band released their first album, also called (I'm) Stranded .
In 1977 (see 1977 in music) they moved to the UK, where they found the punk was rapidly evaporating from punk rock. However one single "This Perfect Day " showed potential of a breakthrough; this was frustrated when EMI failed to follow up its initial success.
Later in 1977, with bass player Alisdair ("Algy") Ward, The Saints recorded a second album, Eternally Yours , which showed the band moving towards a more traditional form of rock, including a brass section on some songs. That trend was continued with the strikingly distinctive, jazz-blues influenced LP Prehistoric Sounds in 1978.
Kuepper's departure
Amidst this stew of frustrated talent and pressure cooker attention, relations between Kuepper and Bailey deteriorated beyond repair. Kuepper, Hay and Ward left the band soon afterwards and Kuepper was soon pursuing a more avant-garde jazz-influenced direction with The Laughing Clowns . He also later released several solo albums.
Bailey continued to use the name of The Saints with a variety other musicians. He eventually achieved a commercial breakthrough with All Fools Day in 1987 (see 1987 in music), which sold moderately well across most of the world, as did the follow-up, Prodigal Son . Since then, Bailey has continued touring and recording with various incarnations of the Saints.
The Saints is also a nickname for these football clubs: