The punk rock revolution that changed music forever

The Saints single (I'm) Stranded burst out of Brisbane, Australia in 1976 as one of the landmark recordings in the punk rock revolution that changed music forever.

In the mid 1970s, Queensland was under the thumb of a corrupt and politically repressive government, and the number one enemy of the state was young people. It was in this environment that singer Chris Bailey, drummer Ivor Hay and guitarist Ed Kuepper met and bonded over a love of music whilst still in high school. The Saints brand of loud,original and at times seemingly chaotic rock'n'roll was shunned by the local music industry so the group took it upon themselves to record their first single, (I'm) Stranded on their own Fatal Records label. Kuepper sent the record to media in the UK and within weeks, The Saints were the darlings of the international music press. EMI records in London signed the band the first time an Australian artist had been approached directly from overseas. The Saints recorded their debut LP (I'm) Stranded for EMI in two ear-shattering days. Within six months, the Saints were in London at the epicentre of the punk revolution. The group's individualistic, Australian scepticism alienated them from the fashion-conscious punk rock scene and the original band imploded in the UK. However, their legend has lived on and their legacy is Australia's independent music industry which grew directly out of The Saints bold move.

"There were certain groups that were fundamental in our development but I never really saw them as contemporaries... when The Saints got on stage they had the fuck you attitude down like no other band I'd ever seen. "It was a bit like... I'd seen a lot of band clawing away trying to get in places and do well trying to do their best and The Saints came along and looked like they were trying to do their worst but they were making the most incredible beautiful music that I'd ever heard at the time... they had a real attitude. "I've always thought The Saints were one of the greatest." - Nick Cave