The Saints – Know Your Product

3rd February 2025 · 1970s, 1978, Music, Playlists, Punk

The Saints, who formed in Australia in 1973, were arguably the first punk band of all – but they always claimed not to be punks. Whatever they were, they were fantastic.

“Rock music in the ’70s was changed by three bands: The Sex Pistols, The Ramones and The Saints.” So said Bob Geldof, looking back on the era – and he was right.

The Saints were the first of them too; formed in Brisbane in 1973, they moved to London after releasing their landmark debut single (I’m Stranded) and album of the same name.

I was at their first UK gig, at The Roundhouse on a Sunday night in June ’77. The Saints were first on, followed by Talking Heads and The Ramones. It didn’t go so well; guitarist Ed Kuepper’s amp exploded and frontman Chris Bailey and the crowd exchanged angry words.

I thought it was fantastic.

Their second album, recorded in London, was quite a different affair – throwing soul horns into the mix – but every bit as good. This was the opening track, an attack on the fakery of advertising called Know Your Product that ends, amusingly but bafflingly, with Bailey yelling: “Let’s shoot the professor!”

What a great band they were. And unlike many of their era, they still sound fantastic today. They’re also coming back to tour later this year – despite the death of singer Chris Bailey a couple of years ago.

Billed as The Saints ’73-’78 (the golden era that produced their first three incendiary albums, I’m Stranded, Eternally Yours and Prehistoric Sounds), they still boast original guitarist and drummer Ed Kuepper.

The duo are joined by Mudhoney’s Mark Arm on vocals, Mick Harvey of The Birthday Party and Bad Seeds on guitar, and bassist Peter Oxley of Australia’s legendary (it says her) Sunnyboys – a new name to me.

The tour comes off the back of a recent 4LP box set of the debut album, featuring a remastered version with the previously unreleased 1976 mix of the album, a five-song live performance from April 1977 at Sydney’s Paddington Town Hall and a full live show from London’s Hope and Anchor in November 1977 – which I was also at.

I remember also seeing them supporting The Jam at Hammersmith Odeon, and at the Music Machine in Camden (now Koko), supported by Wire, and back at The Roundhouse later in ’77 supporting Generation X.