Reincarnated punk legends, The Saints, hit The Odeon on a sultry Wednesday evening to deliver some large slices of Australian rock and roll history from the seminal period of the band’s early days from 1973 through to 1978.
Founding members, Ed Kuepper on guitar and Ivor Hay on drums were joined by a veritable who’s who of names that will go down in Australian music folklore, with Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys) on bass and Mick Harvey (Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds) on guitar. However, the genius stroke was the addition of Mark Arm (Mudhoney) on vocals, who, may well have been channelling the spirit of Chris Bailey in delivering a blistering performance out front of this fantastic lineup.
So…..this was no tribute band…..no hackneyed cabaret act. This was a band on fire. From the first few bars of opening song, This Perfect Day, through to the last drops of the chaotic frenzy that is Nights In Venice, The Saints pummelled our senses with 20 songs of jaw-dropping intensity. A 3-piece brass section (selected from local musicians) joined in the fun, giving full authenticity to many of these classic tracks…..and for mine there was nowhere where this was more evident than when the band cracked into the legendary Know Your Product, following on from crowd favourite, (I’m) Stranded.
Ed Kuepper played with a ferocity befitting of a man half his age, and Ivor Hay attacked the kit with a precision and speed that proved these were no has-beens standing before us on stage. The addition of the legend that is Mick Harvey, with his all-round musical abilities and Peter Oxley’s fat bass sound rounded out the lineup to perfection. The music may have been 40+ years old, but it had an immediacy which spoke of the here and now, and just goes to show that true talent doesn’t disappear with age, it matures like an amazingly fine wine.
If you missed this show, but have another opportunity to get along to see it, I implore you to make sure that you do. You are in for an unforgettable experience.
The Saints ’73-’78 Gallery (click images to see in full size):
The Saints were more than ably supported by local post-punk outfit, Liquid Nails, who fired up the gathering crowd beautifully with their angular, high-energy set. A fabulously fitting support act, who found many new fans from this performance.
Liquid Nails Gallery:
All images: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller
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