The Aints play The Saints @ Factory Theatre

The Aints play The Saints

Factory Theatre

Sydney, Australia

November 24, 2017

According to Sir Bob Geldorf, rock music in the seventies was changed by three bands—the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and The Saints.

Having seen Glen Matlock and Marky Ramone within the last eight days, the missing component of the triumvirate was performing tonight:

On the 40th anniversary of the release of The Saints’ classic album ‘(I’m) Stranded’, founding member, guitarist and songwriter Ed Kuepper revisited the classic material.

Alongside bassist Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys), drummer Paul Larson (The Celibate Rifles), keyboardist Alister Spence and a guest brass section The Aints’ performed the songs that comprised the first three full-length albums “Stranded”, Eternally yours” and “Prehistoric Sounds”.

The Aints reclaim the songs and the energy of The Saints.

Flanked by Peter Oxley on bass and the Celibate Rifles’ Paul Larsen on drums, along with a horn section and long-term collaborator Alister Spence on keyboards, Kuepper’s band is built for purpose, and purpose is to belt out the classics with passion and vengeance rather than a minute rendition of past glories.

Given the announcement of what territory was to be covered, the setlist was predictable in terms of being a classic fest with the occasional oddity, i.e. unrecorded ditty, thrown in for good measure, with the band visibly enjoying themselves, which translated to the audience.

I’ve seen The Saints in various incarnations and tonight was one of the more fun and engaging ones.

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Photo provided