A new vinyl box set chronicling the legacy of the Australian punk band classic album will be released on November 15th. The Saints’ seminal 1977 debut LP, “(I’m) Stranded”, is being honoured with a rarities-rich deluxe edition, coming out on In The Red Recordings in collaboration with Universal Music Australia. The project is being spearheaded by Feel Presents and the band’s founding member Ed Kuepper it will feature all the band’s studio and live recordings from 1976 thru 1977.
In addition to the original LP remastered for vinyl for the first time in over 40 years, this box set also includes such audio extras as a five-song live performance from Paddington Town Hall, Sydney April 3rd,1977 appearing on vinyl for the first time; a full live performance from the Hope & Anchor Front Row Festival, London, November 1977, also appearing on vinyl for the first time; all three tracks from the 1977 “This Perfect Day” 12” single and all four tracks from the 1977 1-2-3-4 double 7” single and the previously unreleased 1976 demo mix of the full “(I’m) Stranded” album.
The set includes a 28 page 12” x 12” photo essay of the band covering their origins from 1973 through the end of ’77, an authorized band history, an 8” x 10” 1976 promo photo and a “(I’m) Stranded” sticker.
“It’s been an exhausting yet thrilling process being involved in the creation of this box set,” Kuepper said in a press statement. “It’s been 51 years in the making and has possibly turned out even better than I anticipated. It’s by far the most extensive appraisal of the band, both aurally and visually, that has ever been made available and hopefully reveals some things people may not have known about the band.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the writing of “(I’m) Stranded” and the 50th anniversary of Kuepper’s career as a live performer. And in celebration of it all, The Saints are actually reforming in celebration of the box set release under the aegis The Saints ’73-’78. Joining original members Kuepper and drummer Ivor Hay will be honorary Saints; vocalist Mark Arm of Seattle’s pioneering Mudhoney, bassist Peter Oxley of Sunnyboys fame and former The Birthday Party / Bad Seeds guitarist Mick Harvey.
The Saints ’73-’78 will perform select tracks from all three classic Kuepper-led Saints titles “(I’m) Stranded” (1977), “Eternally Yours” (1978) and “Prehistoric Sounds” (1978).
“The Saints’ first three albums rank among the best records ever made,” proclaims Arm. “They have been a part of my life since stumbling upon them in the early 80s. Their influence looms large in Mudhoney world. I am stoked, stunned, and humbled that I get to join in on this Rock ‘n’ Roll Reality Camp with Ed, Ivor, Peter and Mick!”
“I’m really looking forward to having the chance to be playing these great songs again and capturing the original excitement and energy of the first three albums,” adds Ivor.
“It’s great to be given the opportunity to run through this set of songs again and especially the chance to work with a group of people of the calibre of Mark, Mick, Pete and especially Ivor, who is one of the most distinctive drummers I’ve had the pleasure to work with,” Kuepper explains. I’m feeling chuffed that they’re all on board for this. We will be concentrating exclusively on material from and around the first three albums, including stuff that hasn’t been performed live in Australia before….or at least for a pretty long time… Very much looking forward to this, catch us if you can, pop fans.”
The Fat Angel Sings 