The Saints ’73 – ’78, The Double Agents @ Hindley Street Music Hall, Adelaide 13/11/2024

“Rock music in the ’70s was changed by three bands—The Sex Pistols, The Ramones and The Saints” – Sir Bob Geldof. And Sir Bob would know, he was there with his own punk/postpunk band, The Boomtown Rats.

Original Saints, guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay play alongside singer Mark Arm of the legendary Mudhoney, bassist Peter Oxley of Sunnyboys fame and former The Birthday Party / Bad Seeds guitarist Mick Harvey, to recreate the sounds of The Saints. The tour is tied in with the release of a new vinyl box set of the 1977 classic debut album, I’m Stranded.

First up on stage was Melbourne band The Double Agents. The band were part of the Melbourne pub scene between 2000 and 2008 and “we came to Adelaide four or five times, even toured overseas twice during that time, but only once to Sydney” vocalist/guitarist Dave Butterworth told us.

They label themselves, the best band you’ve never heard of, or a band you already love. I unfortunately fall in the previous “best band you’ve never heard of” but as they started My Real-Life Monkey Brain, I was rapidly thinking I need to rectify this statement. Vocals changed from Dave to Kim Walvisch for You Got It All, the female vocals adding a different dimension to the sound. Pedal Steel guitar was used for Piece of my Heart.

The band has a new album out in New Motion and the title track started a run of songs from the album. Dave offered the audience a great deal on the new album at the merch stall “and if you buy both the deal gets even better” he laughed. I almost expected him to throw in some steak knives. The sound of the songs veered from hard rock, dark and moody, dirty country and even a bit of Rolling Stones sound. They are certainly not tied to any genre. A band I will certainly be listening to over the coming weeks.

The Saints hit the stage running with This Perfect Day and the sound was unmistakably The Saints. I have never seen Ed Kuepper so fired up or with so much energy. He was finally back where he belongs, playing these songs, he made famous. Lost and Found came next, vocalist Mark Arm hanging on to the microphone stand as if his life depended on it. Mark hardly took three steps away from the microphone stand all evening except to go to the drum riser for an occasional drink. Mark was the perfect choice for singer. He didn’t try to emulate Chris Bailey’s voice; he just did his thing and did it perfectly.

No Time followed and Swing for the Crime had a three-piece brass ensemble walk on stage to join in, adding another layer to the sound. It was five songs in before we got a word from anyone on stage. “Thank you” said Ed before Every Day’s a Holiday, Every Night’s a Party was rolled out. There was to be little said all evening, although we did get “This is our first show and you guys are the Guinea pigs” from Ed before the opening chords to Story of Love bought a rousing cheer from the crowd.

Mick Harvey, looking resplendent in his white shirt, sunnies and slick backed hair moved to keyboards for The Prisoner with Peter Oxley slowly stalking around the stage. Mark was even more rock solid at the mike, not moving for the entire song. A short sharp drum intro to (I’m) Misunderstood had the crowd dancing at the crash barrier and a harmonica player came out for Run Down. Apologies to the player, I didn’t catch his name.

“We didn’t know what to expect” said Ed, “This is our first show and if the tour turns out Ok, it’s all down to you Adelaide”. All Times Through Paradise followed this comment from Ed and the crowd went even crazier. Was it perfect? No of course not. You couldn’t fault the playing but occasionally the band just looked at each other and after Paradise they stood in a half circle around drummer Ivor Hay, seemingly discussing something. Maybe they were just checking tomorrow’s weather. This is a punk show, you don’t expect or want perfection.

With no introduction, the band turned and hurled into (I’m) Stranded. It was fast and furious and caught everyone off guard as they scrambled for their phones. Me? I just stood back watching and let the magic wash all over me. I think there was an expectation that this was the end of the main set, but no. Ed really fired up for Know Your Product and a truly magnificent Messin’ with the Kid, maybe The Saints finest recorded moment.

Things got wilder for the last two tracks of the main set, but as the tour has only started, I won’t go into it too much and spoil it for those about to see The Saints, except to say it was almost a life changing live experience. The band maybe all getting older, they may not be throwing themselves around stage like the younger days but the playing is as fast, ferocious and as furious as they have ever played.

Demolition Girl started the encore, short and wild before River Deep Mountain High’s unmistakable riff filled the room, a huge grin on Ed’s face. A loud resounding ending to this perfect night. “Thank you for coming, hope you liked it” from Ed closed out the evening. Yes, we did.

There was a bit of a backlash from people when the tour was announced. Some saying they won’t go because Chris Bailey is not here to sing. Sorry people, your loss if you didn’t get a ticket. Mark Arm was extraordinary on vocals and the band was tight. With the next seven shows sold out, it just shows what the people want. More Saints’ music live.

Live Review By Geoff Jenke

A deluxe 4 L.P. box set edition of (I’m) Stranded is to be released November 15th.