The Saints: Now featuringex-member of Thirsty Merc

How do you replace one of the most distinctive guitarists in the history of Australian rock’n’roll? With a former member of Thirsty Merc, of course.

With the iconic Ed Kuepper no longer in the band, The Saints’ Chris Bailey has assembled yet another line-up of the seminal Australian punk outfit. It features drummer Peter Wilkinson, who joined the band in 1999; keyboardist Andy Judd aka The Reverend, who may or may not be the same guy from Sydney-based “worship band” Garage Hymnal; session musicians Simon Ferenci (trumpet) and Danny Carmichael (trombone); and guitarist Sean Carey, who played with Thirsty Merc from 2005 to 2009.

The new line-up of The Saints recently recorded their 16th studio album, King of The Sun. Out September 24 through Highway 125, the album features 11 Bailey originals recorded at Trackdown Studio in Sydney, as well as a disc of classic Saints material. “The Saints have always been my main passion, despite my promiscuity and desire for musical experiment,” said Bailey. “I feel that The Saints are an unfinished musical journey. This album is one step closer on this road.”

The newly-minted band will tour Australia at the end of the year, performing in Melbourne, Perth and at Sydney’s Blondie-headlined Homebake in December. Tickets for the headline shows are $63.90 plus booking fees. More dates to be announced.

Saints November/December tour

Friday 23 November – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
Friday 30 November – Fly By Night, Perth
Saturday 8 December – Homebake, Sydney