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"The most important Australian album ever made". - Nick Cave on The Saints (I'm) Stranded.
Released in April 1977, The Saints (I'm) Stranded regularly appears in any poll nominating Australia's greatest ever albums. In recent times this included; Melbourne newspaper The Age based on a survey of Melbourne's music and journalistic elite, a poll of the Australian music industry by AIR (Australian Independent Record Industry) and Australian on-line fanzine Mess & Noise. But it's not just here in Australia that the plaudits for this groundbreaking album have appeared. UK fashion bible GQ nominated (I'm) Stranded as the no.3 Australian album of all time behind AC/DC's Back in Black and the Bee Gee's Saturday Night Fever. Now there's some good company...
In addition to the regular poll positions, (I'm) Stranded was also the first album included in new Australian TV and DVD series 'Great Australian Albums' appearing alongside Crowded House, Silverchair and The Triffids. Not bad for an album that on release was as good as ignored, received no commercial radio play and did not chart. Further proof that great art is often initially misunderstood only to be fully appreciated by later generations. To celebrate this fact - along with their inclusion in the inaugural Australian All Tomorrow's Parties Festival series - The Saints (including original members Chris Bailey, Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay as well as long time Saint Archie Larizza on bass) have graciously agreed to recreate the album (all 32 minutes of white noise, punk snarl and songwriting smarts) in its entirety - via two very special Don't Look Back performances.
The first, will take place at Melbourne's salubrious Forum Theatre (a long way from The Saints original breading ground of Brisbane's, Petrie Terrace) and will also feature the legendary X (not to be confused with the lesser American band of the same name) performing their classic second album 'At Home With You'. Released in September 1985, 'At Home With You' followed X's 1980 debut X-Aspirations (recorded with producer Lobby Loyde in just 5 hours) and featured singer/guitarist Steve Lucas, bassist Ian Rilen and (then) new drummer Cathy Green and featured the timeless 'Half Way Round the World' and also 'Degenerate Boy' - later covered with much success by Adelaide power trio The Mark of Cain. Original performers Steve Lucas and Cathy Green will reunite to present the album in its entirety and will also feature fellow album performers The Horns of Contempt (ex-Hunters & Collectors) with new bassist Kim Volkman standing in for the departed Ian Rilen.
The second show sees The Saints returning home to the scene of the crime - Brisbane - appearing as special guests of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at their Brisbane Riverstage show, rounding out a fantastic bill that already boasts Spiritualized, Robert Forster, The Necks and James 'Blood' Ulmer. If you live anywhere near Brisbane or within some hours drive you would be mad to miss this.
Alongside an appearance by Dirty Three performing their fourth album Ocean Songs in its entirety, The Saints and X complete a fantastic second season of Don't Look Back.
Friday 9th January: Dirty Three perform 'Ocean Songs' - All Tomorrow's Parties, Mt.Buller Ski Resort Tickets on sale now from atpfestival.oztix.com.au and www.ticketmaster.com.au; all Ticketmaster outlets or via phone: 136 100
Wednesday 14th January: The Saints perform (I'm) Stranded with special guests X performing 'At Home With You' @ The Forum, Melbourne.Tickets on sale Monday 8th December from atpfestival.oztix.com.au and www.ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849
Thursday 15th January: The Saints perform (I'm) Stranded as guests to Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds @ Brisbane, Riverstage, also featuring Spiritualized, Robert Forster, The Necks and James 'Blood' Ulmer. Tickets on sale now from www.ticketmaster.com.au; all Ticketmaster outlets or via phone: 136 100. Tickets are also available in person or by phone from the Brisbane Powerhouse - 119 Lamington St, New Farm; www.brisbanepowerhouse.org ph: + 61 7 3358 8600. Also Rocking Horse Records: ph: +61 7 3229 5360, or online www.rockinghorse.net. Proudly presented by ATP Australia and Rave Magazine.