The Aints
| Company type | Musical project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Ed Kuepper |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Fate | Reassembled in 2017 as The Aints! |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Music albums and live performances |
The Aints is a musical project initiated by Ed Kuepper in the early 1990s, closely connected to his original band, The Saints. Initially, The Aints revisited material from the Saints' 1970s repertoire before evolving into a group known for intense, feedback-driven renditions of Kuepper's new compositions.
In 2017, Kuepper resurrected the ensemble under the name The Aints!, focusing on performing and recording songs written between 1969 and 1978. Much of this repertoire had been part of the original Saints’ live sets but was seldom captured in studio recordings or released.
1991–1995
The Aints took their name from The Saints, the influential Brisbane-based band formed by Kuepper and Chris Bailey in the early 1970s. The moniker reportedly arose from a damaged bass drum head missing the initial "S," leaving "Aints" visible.
Kuepper’s objective was to revive the raw intensity characteristic of the late 1970s Saints. While The Aints initially performed Saints' classics, they soon developed a powerful three-piece sound marked by feedback reminiscent of Neil Young. Subsequent original compositions introduced saxophone and more expansive arrangements.
Their inaugural performance took place in Sydney on 13 April 1991, featuring Kuepper on guitar and vocals, Kent Steedman on bass, and Tim Reeves on drums. Shortly thereafter, they released S.L.S.Q – Very Live!, a cassette capturing this concert, distributed at gigs and retail outlets. The setlist during this era predominantly featured older Saints songs.
Throughout this period, Kuepper was highly productive, averaging about three album releases per year; The Aints were part of this creative surge. With a lineup including Artie Sledge (bass), Mark Dawson (drums), and Tim Hopkins (saxophone), they produced two original albums: Ascension (November 1991) and Autocannibalism (1992), both issued by Hot Records.
Hot Records also released the five-track EP Cheap Erotica in November 1993 and compiled Shelflife Unlimited!!! – Hotter Than Blazing Pistols!!! in August 1995. Although a third album titled Afterlife was recorded, it has yet to be officially released.
2017–present: The Aints!
In 2017, Kuepper reassembled the band as The Aints! with bassist Peter Oxley (Sunnyboys), drummer Paul Larsen Loughhead (The Celibate Rifles/The New Christs), jazz pianist Alister Spence, and trumpeter Eamon Dilworth. They toured Australia throughout 2017 and 2018, concentrating on material from The Saints’ catalogue spanning 1973 to 1978. Their first studio album under this revived name, The Church of Simultaneous Existence, featuring compositions penned by Kuepper during his time with The Saints, was released on 21 September 2018 via ABC Music. This album entered the ARIA Albums Chart at number 82.
In 2019, The Aints! delivered a live LP titled Play The Saints (73' – 78') (Live Official Bootleg) alongside a five-track EP called 5-6-7-8-9. Following the passing of Chris Bailey and the reissue of The Saints’ debut album (I'm) Stranded, Kuepper toured with Peter Oxley under the banner The Saints ('73-'78), echoing the original concept behind The Aints!.
Albums
| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| S.L.S.Q |
|
| Ascension |
|
| Autocannibalism |
|
| Cheap Erotica |
|
| Shelf Life Unlimited - Hotter Than Blazing Pistols |
|
| The Church of Simultaneous Existence |
|
| The Aints Play The Saints |
|
| Live At Marrickville Bowlo |
|
ARIA Music Awards
Since 1987, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has annually hosted the ARIA Music Awards to honor outstanding achievement and creativity in all sectors of Australian music.
!
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| 1992
| Ascension
| Best Independent Release
|
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