The Saints

"The Saints" are a rock band, originating in Brisbane, Australia founded by Chris Bailey (singer-songwriter, later guitarist), Ivor Hay (drummer), and Ed Kuepper (guitarist-songwriter) in 1974. Alongside mainstay Bailey, the group has had numerous line-ups. In 1975, contemporaneous with United States' Ramones, The Saints were employing the fast tempos, raucous vocals and "buzz saw" guitar that characterised early punk rock. With their debut single, "(I'm) Stranded", in September 1976, they became the first alleged punk band outside the US to release a record, ahead of better-known acts including the Sex Pistols and The Clash. They are one of the first and most influential groups of the genre. The Saints are one of the first and most influential punk rock groups. According to Bob Geldof, "Rock music in the seventies was changed by three bands—the Sex Pistols, the Ramones and The Saints". The Saints continue to record and perform. In 2014 Bruce Springsteen covered their classic "Just Like Fire Would" on his High Hopes album.