This Aussie outfit gained a cult following with their rock–punk songs, mainly in London where EMI signed them up. Chris Bailey, the singer–songwriter, was also front man. I saw them one Saturday night in a fairly, small coffee shop on Unley Road somewhere in the 80s. They literally rocked out the barista. This Brisbane band formed in ’74, right on the cusp of the new un-mainstream genre of punk rock. So they took up its mantle—why not! Their first hit single was called ‘Stranded!’, and it was the first punk record outside the US, beating both The Sex Pistols and The Clash (the first UK punk outfits) to the punch. Of them, Bob Geldof said ‘Rock music in the seventies was changed by three bands—the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and The Saints.’ Wow! Some acclamation! In their early years they played covers of Del Shannon, Connie Francis, and Tina Turner. Yea, you heard right. Imagining The Saints covering Connie Francis takes me into another orbit. Wish I was there.
By 1987 and the album ‘All Fools Day’ set, there was less of the punk, even a touch of melody, and dare I say it, strings. Still, there’s no gettin’ round Chris Bailey’s urgency. ‘Fire’ should have been a big hit in Oz, but do the public know! Love their studio—still punks at heart. You gotta love punk for its sheer energy and in-your-face attitude.
Ralph's World of Music 