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They were, in a way, pioneers. While the
norm these days is for bands to scrounge together a couple of hundred
bucks to release an independent EP or DIY it and sell through iTunes –
what The Saints did 70s was simply unheard of - making an EP
on their own dime and selling it through word of mouth (much like the
success of Sneaky Sound System
and Gotye).
The bizarre thing is, that while watching the generous amount of live
footage (and some great archived interviews) of The Saints in their hay
day, you can’t help but think ‘Whats the difference between these fools
and every other try-hard rockers’ that you see at various dive bars in
Brunswick street every weekend? But that’s where the point of
difference is made - at the time, they were one of the first
to do it.
It’s a phenomenal story of a quick rise to the top. A band which
started out playing in local halls, and ended up trotting the globe
with folks like The Ramones. And doing it all, without ever giving into
the Punk rock image that the media kept peddling via The Sex Pistols.
Just as interesting is the eventual fall from grace as lead singer
Chris Bailey and Ed Kruepper grew apart.
Yet another winner from this fantastic SBS series which documents some
of the most groundbreaking and influential Australian albums ever
recorded. Combining a vast array of interviews from some of the biggest
names in Aussie rock (it’s one of the most impressive collection of
artists out of the entire series) including the legendary Robert
Forester, Radio Birdman’s Rob Younger, Brad Shepherd from the Hoodoo
Gurus, The Riptides’ Mark Callaghan, yobbo Damien Lovelock from the
Celibate Rifles, a slew of music journalists including Clinton Walker,
independent record company owners, Nick Cave, as well as The Saints
themselves.
By far, the best of the series – due solely to the behind the scenes
drama as events began to unfold, and the band began to unravel.
Worth a look if only to play the game “How much have drugs affected Ed
Kuepper”. It’s a tough one…but I’m thinking: ‘A lot’.
EXTRAS
As always, there are 2 or 3 unedited
interviews with Kruepper and
Bailey which offer quite a bit. The best of which is Chris Bailey’s
deconstruction of the end of The Saints, which is rather interesting to
hear from someone within the the band – as opposed to third party
information which so often goes onto become myth rather than fact.
Conclusion:
Movie 70% Extras: 60%
 Download Album Here: 
Purchase DVD: 
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