Dying Scene Photo Gallery and Review: The Saints ’73-’78, Des Demonas, and Chimers, Union Stage (11/18/2025).
What a night! On 18 November, Union Stage presented original members Ed Kuepper (guitar) and Ivor Hay (drums) and the team that made up The Saints ‘73 – ‘78 put on the best 90 minutes of high octane rock ‘n roll we’ve seen in a minute, making it clear that they and their music remain vital. Fellow Aussies Chimers opened the show with local up-and-comers Des Demonas filling the middle slot.
The Saints ‘73 – ‘78 lineup features original Saints members Ed Kuepper (guitar) and Ivor Hay (drums), with Mark Arm of Mudhoney (vocals), Mick Harvey of The Boys Next Door, The Birthday Party, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (guitar and keyboards), and Peter Oxley of Sunnyboys (bass). Stagehand Troy Purnell joined in on harmonica and backing vocals on ‘Run Down.’ The accompanying horn section included Eamon Dilworth (trumpet), Julien Wilson (tenor sax), and Mark Spencer (baritone sax). This was my first time seeing The Saints and had a great time. If you have a chance to see them at any time, do it! The Saints are playing their last show on this tour in Berlin. Find them here.
Des Demonas is DC’s garage punk band made up of Jacky “Cougar” Abok (vocals), Mark Cisneros (guitar), Paul Vivari (organ), and Matt Gatwood (drums). I’ve caught Cisneros with Hammered Hulls and with Kid Congo Powers, and the Pink Monkey Birds several times, and I’ve also seen Abok behind the drum kit for his other band, Sex Faces, so it was a thrill to watch the two of them share a stage again. Vivari’s organ work and Gatwood’s drumming rounded out the set perfectly, adding a funky edge that drew in an entirely new crowd. Make sure to catch Des Demonas in 2026 when they join Neko Case on her Neon Grey Midnight Green Tour, kicking off 8 January 2026.
Chimers, the dynamic Australian duo of Padraic Skehan (lead vocals and guitar) and Binx (vocals and drums), brought their signature post-punk sound on their first (ever) US tour and first show in DC. They were joined by The Saints ‘73-’78 horn section (Dilworth on trumpet, Wilson on tenor sax, and Spencer on baritone sax) for a fiery rendition of their song ‘People Listen (to the Radio).’ Skehan shredded on guitar while Binx powered through their set while setting the tone for the night ahead. This was also my first time seeing these guys. Don’t miss out on seeing the Chimers as they close out the year and head into 2026 touring with Bleak Squad here.
The Horn section joined the Chimers on “People Listen (to the Radio).”
- The Saints Setlist:
- Swing for the Crime
- No Time
- This Perfect Day
- Lost and Found
- Memories Are Made of This
- Private Affair
- Brisbane (Security City)
- Story Of Love
- The Prisoner
- The Chameleon
- No, Your Product
- Run Down
- Messin’ With The Kid
- (I’m) Stranded
- Know Your Product
- Encore:
- (I’m) Misunderstood
- All Times Through Paradise
- Demolition Girl
- Nights in Venice
- Des Demonas Setlist:
- Tuff Turf
- Obsession
- Restructuring
- Arthur Lee Bomb Squad
- Cure for Love
- The Duke Ellington Bridge
- Conduit
- Fascist Discotheque
- Forest Fires
- Miles Davis Headwound Blues
- Apocalyptic Boom Boom
- The South Will Never Rise Again
- Bay of Pigs
- Chimers Setlist:
- Gossip
- Generator
- Glossary
- beasts
- rhythms
- Optic
- Timber
- People Listen (To the Radio)
- 3am