The Saints ’73–’78 Finally Land in North America — Original-Era Songs, Eight-Piece Fire, and a Set Built to Hit Like 1977
For the first time, the original-era Saints material is being performed in North America—pulling from (I’m) Stranded, Eternally Yours, and Prehistoric Sounds—with an eight-piece lineup built to hit like 1977 and breathe like 2025.
The Short of It
The Saints ’73–’78 made their North American debut this month, performing songs from the band’s three lightning-rod albums with founding members Ed Kuepper (guitar) and Ivor Hay (drums), joined by Mark Arm (Mudhoney) on vocals, Mick Harvey (ex–Bad Seeds) on guitar/keys, and Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys) on bass—plus a three-piece brass section.
It’s the same expanded lineup that powered their 2024 Brisbane stand.
Why This Matters (Again)
The Saints detonated early—self-releasing “(I’m) Stranded” in 1976, pre-dating much of the UK punk wave and setting off a lineage that still echoes. Seeing this material finally land on North American stages—played by its architect with a band built to honor the records’ jagged romance and R&B undertow—feels overdue and oddly futuristic.
From the Floor: Chicago Debut at Metro (Nov 11)
Field notes by Music Coast (on site at Metro, 3730 N Clark St).
The room was shoulder-to-shoulder—vintage Saints patches next to newly bought tees—and more than a few fans clutching first-press LPs for signatures. Ed Kuepper looked genuinely moved clocking the mixed-generation crowd pressed to the rail, shouting every chorus.
The night’s X-factor was Mick Harvey, who colored the classic set with warmer Fender Deluxe Reverb tones and elegant switches between Acoustasonic Tele, keys, and acoustic—subtly re-voicing songs from (I’m) Stranded and Eternally Yours without sanding their bite. Locked with Kuepper, those interlocking lines felt less like facsimile and more like evolution: older, wiser, still mean.
Mark Arm led with conviction (not impersonation), Peter Oxley kept the low end punchy and melodic, and Ivor Hay drove with that unmistakable Saints snap. The result: brash made mature, aggression intact.
Ed Kuepper on the 2025 Approach (Email Interview Highlights)
Fidelity vs. reinterpretation
“None really [debate]. I think everyone was pretty much on the same page… no punches thrown while I was in the room anyway.”
Brass + Prehistoric Sounds live
“The original band had broken up before Prehistoric Sounds was released… On this tour we have a really great section and they nail it.”
Honoring Chris Bailey / letting Mark Arm be Mark Arm
“There was never any suggestion to copy it. This works when the individuals do their own interpretations in the context of what we’re trying to do.”
Did the I’m Stranded box set change arrangements?
“Not so much really… good to hear the alternate mixes but it didn’t affect what I had in mind.”
Sequencing three albums in one set
“Prehistoric Sounds is the least known of the three so it was important to include songs from that album… they fit in really well, give the set a bit more ebb and flow.”
On the original sound shift (’77 → ’78) and how it reads now
“For me the first LP was pretty much the end of the Brisbane era… once the punk thing had taken off, it was important to develop artistically to maintain our uniqueness. I didn’t want to get into the habit of churning out the same stuff… onwards and upwards.”
Live Document & Vault Dive
- Live Nights in Venice… Vol. 1 (limited 12") — four songs captured at Brisbane’s Princess Theatre; the current eight-piece energy in hi-def.
- I’m Stranded — 4×LP box (In The Red Records) — remastered album + previously unreleased 1976 mix, Paddington Town Hall (Apr ’77), full Hope & Anchor (Nov ’77), and the “This Perfect Day” / “1-2-3-4” sessions.
Who’s on Stage (North America / UK / EU)
Ed Kuepper (guitar), Ivor Hay (drums), Mark Arm (vocals), Mick Harvey (guitar/keys), Peter Oxley (bass), with horns: Eamon Dilworth (trumpet), Julian Wilson (tenor sax), Mark Spencer (baritone sax).
Call to Action
Live Nights in Venice… Vol. 1 is limited—check the merch table / band channels. The I’m Stranded 4×LP box is the cleanest portal into how radical this music was—and is.
