The Saints - Ghost Ships (1984)

[iloveknitting1]

This song makes me so sad that I will end up like one of these people. I am now doing Honours in politics at uni and I still fear ending up like a hopeless drunk

[StrangerToEarth]

@iloveknitting1

This song really got to you, didn't it?

[iloveknitting1]

Who the hell is Tracy Pew?? What have I missed and how did he die>>

[NewWaver80014]

@iloveknitting1 Tracy Pew was the bass player for The Boys Next Door (later The Birthday Party) who were contemporaries of The Saints - he died of an injury sustained during an epileptic seizure.

[iloveknitting1]

dear God, let me aware of my own sentinence

[iloveknitting1]

WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME IS THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEY ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE SONG. THEY LIVE AND DIE WITH NO IDEA....

[MeatCloud]

Why do I feel like a schooner now?

[lozarok]

Wicked Song , Cheers for posting !!

[lilynick1]

I remember this clip playing on the telly. 'Beatbox' on ABC. It was a hot saturday morning way back in '84. Theres something nostalgic about it for me. Many of the pub 'locals' no longer with us I suppose ........ except in this clip? ....

[wuggacrt]

I sit in my lounge room listening to this on the computer and thinking why arent I at the pub listening on the juke box . THEN I REMEMBERED ALL THE OLD PUBS ARE GONE .

[droser40]

It wasn't the Harold Park Hotel, it looks like the Leichhardt Hotel on Short St. which no longer operates as a hotel, but is the head office for a salad company !

BTW Harold Park Paceway is featured in the clip "My Girl" by the Hoodoo Gurus.

[markymark4565]

My beautiful friend Alison was in this clip. I wonder where she is now. It's a long way from the Leichhardt huh?

[lovebeingnaussie]

Classic 80's??? or early 90's??? dont remember - neighbours recently revitilised it.... sorry ot admit

[zachrembrandt1978]

brilly

[nonirockify]

To rest your fears, saw The Church at a festival last year. Their single ' Tantalised' was the first I bought (but was in England aged 13). So , don't fret we remember and love em. But I love The Saints more!

[Nigelxman1]

Why do no Aussies seem to remember the Church???

[ulujain]

@Nigelxman1

Remember them? They're my favourite band, have been since about 1982 or so. They've got no shortage of fans, don't worry.

[Nigelxman1]

@ulujain They've been my favorite band for many years too. I was mostly asking this because I spent a couple months in Australia a few years ago and asked a lot of people about the Church and was shocked at how many Aussies didn't really seem to know much about them or didn't realize that they were even still together. Cheers.

[ulujain]

@Nigelxman1 Yep, they haven't landed a song in top 50 since probably Gold Afternoon Fix days and have kind of fallen underneath everyone's radar ever since. They were never big here either, more on the fringe. and those non-fans who do remember them, it's all Under The Milky Way, of course.

[landrmonty]

@Nigelxman1 Of course we remember Church, but I saw this original clip for Starnded back when it was new and remember thinking these blokes have something awesome going on. Was the Punk that replaced The Saints "proto punk" better, I doubt it. But the Chruch were good. A tad more commercial but good

[newellgirl]

@Nigelxman1 I do, not only that, i spoke to Steve Kilbey last year...The Church are alive and well known to many Australians...

[Nigelxman]

@newellgirl That's great to know. :-) My favorite band and I never miss a chance to see them live here. Love the Saints too. Both are bands that should have become much bigger in my opinion but I suppose there's no accounting for public taste. :-)

[lowest69]

Greta sound, never heard of them before, but will have to have a look for some of their other stuff.

[camford68]

@lowest69 check out "Know your product" amazing for the time, still a kick ass song...

[Lieu3C4]

Magnificent in conception and execution again Mr.Bailey.

[slimstersquad]

SOOOOOOOOOO f'n good. So ahead of it's time.

[mahonjoh]

Oh my god, the chick in red dances exactly like my mum....... love this song

[TheDavinskiCode]

My how times change thanks to our shitty Australian leaders selling us all out, ya dont see many old timers these days in the pub enjoying a few ales in their retirement days most of them are sitting at home freezing in winter and struggling to put food on their table, it says alot for our Nation... *Going down the gurgler*

[SKOTP69]

@TheDavinskiCode ...and I've heard callous liberals literelly talking about the older Australian generations that have to "die out" so a new "multicultural"/multiracial Australia can be affected! Anyone who takes offence at, and opposes, such a proposition is then also said to be one of the "rednecks/bigots" that also must "die out" so this awful, fractured, version of "Australia" can be propped up.

[woooooooowwwwwwwwwww]

where the hell is my terry towelling hat?

i used to enjoy hearing chris sing this one down at the governors pleasure.

[sinning1966]

Chris Bailey is perfect. +++

[bustermk2]

Pew actually played with the saints on tour ... not sure whether or not he ever played on any of their albums.

[iloveknitting1]

FUCK AUSTRALIA, WAKE UP, IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS

[iloveknitting1]

FUCK, DIDN'T THEY CAPTURE THE SPIRIT OF THE LONESOME ALCOHOLIC

[CatGameDaiyE]

Folk Punk! Like Flogging Molly!

[filthbarrel]

Anyone know where Alison in the red dress in the video is these days? Now that was a lady . . .

[HIPandiDONTmeanHOP]

I just found this band, and the Undertones today, while watching videos by The Only Ones... Any similar groups anyone would be so kind as to suggest?

(They sure don't make it like they used to...)

[dragonlady1970]

Awesome, what an under-rated band they were. Thanks for the upload

[sydneyindie]

I remember when this song came out and I saw them play at Manly and yes Tracey Pew played with them...RIP Tracey you legend.

[spookypie]

big production!!

[bobs66chev]

Fucken awesome!!!!!

[Bumface07]

Why can't I remove my fucking double up ?!??!?!?!?

[DaminnO]

Chris Bailey has lost so much weight...

[bladamac]

An inspiring lament of old Sydney town....I don't think it's the Harbour view but. I Reckon its an old country pub somewhwere.But it feels like Sydney in them days. The big local fella that features is a funny bugger,same as them all. The saints just rocked into some local pub somewhere and said beers are on us if ya just have a dance with our sheilas and let us film it with our new song. lumps in me eyes and tears in me throat.

[SWTSHP]

The guy on the far left at 2:15 looks exactly like Tracy Pew...

[nzoz1984]

@SWTSHP Somebody mentioned that Tracy Pew had also appeared in Cold Chisel's 'Flame Tree' video.... kinda spooky, if it was him.

[frankblues]

@nzoz1984 it is Tracy Pew in this clip, he played with Saints for a while. Not sure about him being in the Flame Tree clip though

[newellgirl]

@nzoz1984 it is Tracy Pew that appears in the Ghost Ships clip

[gustavmarie]

@nzoz1984 I believe it is Tracy Pew...he was touring bassist for The Saints around this time...

[Bumface07]

@SWTSHP ... It is the raunchy paunchy cowboy himself. He died in 1985.

[Bumface07]

@SWTSHP ... It IS the raunchy paunchy cowboy himself. He left the Birthday Party to return to Melbourne to study (and play music back home). He died in 1986.

[rogershrubber]

@SWTSHP 

[rogershrubber]

@SWTSHP

Thats cos it is.

[scrappy5011]

@SWTSHP shit,youre right.

[helsiemurray]

@SWTSHP

It looks like Tracy because it is Tracy Pew

[helsiemurray]

@SWTSHP It looks like Tracy Pew because it is Tracy Pew

[helsiemurray]

@SWTSHP It looks like Tracy Pew because it is Tracy Pew

[100milnic]

@SWTSHP Tracy Pew who has appaerently stolen Dave Faulkner's fringe jacket!

[malkooth]

@SWTSHP It sure does, the chap in the black cowboy hat and stache. Excellent.

[markymark4565]

@SWTSHP That is Tracey you nong. Tracey played with the Saints severeal tours before he died.

[markymark4565]

@SWTSHP That would be because it is Tracey Pew.

[Bumface07]

@declan3906 How did you remove your comment, Declan?!?!?!

[declan3906]

@Bumface07 I didn't remove my comment. nzoz1984 can remove comments.. I can;t remember what I said anyway ...

[MrSamoyedman]

Hypnotising - remember wearing out the vinyl when this came out. One of the fellas in the background is the singer from the Minutemen who put out a great single (name?) around the same time. One of my favourite memories is going to the Chris Bailey solo acoustic gigs on Sundays at the Leichhardt Hotel. He was brilliant then

[whereartthouart]

This is such a great song and great video of when pubs where pubs in Sydney no wine bars.

[rexgherkins]

Bailey taught us all a thing or two about brass post the Motown era

[kfb998p]

'Know Your Product' being a fine example..

[VIVAVISCONSIN]

Companion of my youth... i get a goose-skin, when i hear this amazing song.

[showdejimbo]

que gran banda

[gravygirl]

Good acting Bretta!

[iloveknitting1]

this song just makes me want to cry

[shorn70]

Saw him solo in Freo over 10 years ago. I called this song out, and he played about a 1/3 of it with different lyrics. OK so it was a "hit"of sorts, but it's still a great song. At least I didn't call out for that Easybeats cover from young Einstein, like some other bloke did.

[tim30549]

This is such a cracker of a song - one of the best Aussie songs ever!

The start of this video is SOOOO DAMNING - this poor drunks who've lost "light in their eyes".... ouch!.... abit mean coz' I'm sure they didn't know they'd be filmed to be gently mocked

Love this song!

[bustermk2]

I miss pubs like this :(

[beatnickblues]

geez...hard to find any pub in Sydney that hasn't been remodelled....they certainly don't look like this anymore!!

[alanbstard4]

the pub appears to be the harbour View Hotel at the rocks, Sydney

[zibbity1]

I was 18 when I saw this song on telly in a wine bar in Atarmon for the first time'84.........dranka gallon of cider and chucked, fkin good times!!!

seriously a bloody good Aussie song!

[ulujain]

The re-recorded version he did for Prodigal Song sounds better than this version, IMHO. Far more mystical. Mind you, this is nothing to be sneezed at either,

[mattsince69]

Bailey's voice tears me apart, and this tune is the ultimate showcase.  Sweet guitar bits and just fantastic all-around!

Also...

Where's this subject matter to be found in 'music' nowadays?

[fletch88zz]

@mattsince69 now days it's all bloody x-factor and who's got talent blah blah blah, makes me sick. I tell ya who's got talent, songwriters like Bailey that's who! I couldn't agree more with you matt, where is the subject matter? The art of telling a story, creating feelings and emotions in your audience, no it all depends how well you present yourself. Simon Cowell must have the most shit music collection in history!

[zxath]

brill!!!!

[gunghsi]

FANTASTIC. Some of Bailey's best!

[EllaBoBella]

God, Chris looks so young here. If you ever get the chance to check out the acoustic cover by Chris Wilson, do so. It's gold.

[MrCrocman]

Goodness there might be hope for me yet !!

[SaveStef]

There is always hope :)

..and rock & roll ♫♥*•-:¦:-•*♥♫

[MrCrocman]

Err, that "spunk" with the sideburns would probably be around 52 years old and bald with beer gut by now!!

[SaveStef]

xD Lol xD MrCroc...yeah, maybe, maybe not, but I like older men too who are bald with a beer belly...they're adorable (and were young lads once)

Thou shalt not judge :)

Long live rock & roll..

[SaveStef]

the voice, the voice, the voice, the voice ♫♪ ♥.•*¨¨*•.♥.•*¨¨*•.♥ ♫♪

[SaveStef]

Someone tell me pleeeeease!!

Who is the absolute hottie SPUNK at around 0:33 ?

He appears again around 0:43 picking up change/rolling dice or somethin'...the gorgeous dude with the sideburns....

I want his number now!

[SaveStef]

These are real Aussie dudes in the bar.....they probably fought, went to war for us........give them more beer! ♫♪ ♥ .•*¨¨*•.♥ ♫♪

[legendtofski]

love this song. Probably the best Ozzie song of the 80s. Timeless too, hasn't dated one inch, unlike the shitty Triphids.

[EthanSUPERIOR]

how about wrapped up and blue

[davidparan]

Loved this - got me hooked on the old JJJ

[cheersbiggears]

It was the old Leichardt Hotel which I think is no longer there.I knew the young fella in the background of the clip .Wasn' t a bad pub.The saints played there sort of often.Tracey Pew played with the saints for a while during those years.

[lapalad]

Love to know which pub it was filmed in, alot of those old timers look familiar to some people i used to see at the fights

[baby8dingo]

Can i have a scooner of VB and a middy of Old for me pop.......

Thanks for everything pop you were a good man.

Your shout when we are together again.

[valkirkk]

upright citizens covered this song

[newellgirl]

i just love the smiling Tracy Pew at the bar..he's such a cowboy and he looks great with the double bass..great clip captures an Australian era that's gone..sigh

[leebouldog]

Holy shit, Tracey Pew!!

[SaveStef]

GO Aussie!!

[originaldivinylsfan]

There's a common link that runs through these bands, & i'm not sure whether to suggest "Celtic" or just "bloody good". Always great horn-sections (where are you Amanda Jones? The front-bar reminds of places like the Sandringham during the day. Come to think of it it's pretty much like any working-class pub in Orstraylya. I'm smiling, thanks.

[julietahhh]

the saints-ghost ships 1984

[pclarky]

great song and clip, stands the test of time so well

[012245567]

This is proof alcohol causes brain damage...LOL...

[fassifernit]

actually pretty sure it's the Indooroopilly Htl before it was done up... i lived in the area,.. knew Ed Kuepper's little bro andrew .. sure it's the Indooroopilly HTl of old

[SaveStef]

alcohol rocks in the human world =)......In moderation ofcourse.....♥ ♫♪ ♥ ♫♪

but this song will rock forever and eternally :)

♥ ♫♪ ♥ ♫♪

S

[Sigebyrht]

Pretty sure its the Harold Park. The guy pouring the beer used to be in aa band called Coupe De Ville wrote an amusing song about the bus to Balmain

[Sigebyrht]

If not there maybe the Petersham Inn

[bigbadreddog]

LOL...nah I think it was my bedroom LOL

[ratgrinder61]

hey sigebyrht,that bloke on the bar is Brett,used to work at the mighty Petersham with Duncan (sshwweeet!)Used to open the Pismo bar on demand for us when we used tour up there all those years ago,could'nt meet a nicer couple of blokes if you tried!

[Sigebyrht]

Yeh

I used to share a house with coupe de ville's bass player at the time thats how I knew those guys. Floored me when I saw the old Harold Park was gone, replaced by an upmarket eating complex lol. Crazy days mate.

[bigbadreddog]

I used to drink there back in the late 80s, when did they pull down the Old Harold park Hotel?

[xxxali012xxx]

know doubt some of them old digs in the clip have past.i dont know much but i know what i like and i like this.

[shorn70]

Chris Bailey was playing in Freo about 10 years ago, asking for requests from the audience. I asked for this one, but he sung different lyrics and shortened it. HMMM! Ok maybe he was sick of playing it, but at least I wasn't asking for that easybeats cover.

[bustermk2]

Great clip

[pjwsnooty]

I only saw this clip once at the time of its release, but I never forgot how good it is. Has a Balmain sort of look to it. I hope pretty young things will dance with me when I'm old...

[012245567]

Anyone know what pub this was filmed in?

[duchesstricia]

Check out the blond violinist. She is gorgeous.  Do I know her from somewhere?

[lapalad]

This clip helps ease homesickness when you,ve been away from Australia for 3 years like i have

[outnumberedbysheep]

Right on brilliant unpretentious clip. I love this song and band so much. Chris bailey, genius and lovely to see the beautifull Tracey Pew in there also. You know a band is special when The Fall cover one of their songs. Thanks so much for posting this and keeping the faith.

[Coldacre]

god this makes me feel like a beer

[fenianpikey]

So Cool!! Great to see the old face of the aussie pub!! when folk danced without vanity even getting a chance to prevail and just plain drink,rock'n roll and dancing with ya gal/guy was the order of the day!!

[leftofcentre11]

That was so wonderful to hear that again-anymore from Prodigal Son vintage? thanks!!!!

[mervynturnyp07]

Don't knock the vets!! These old diggers rock. They are solid and I count many fam members among them. :) Farking awesome song- one of my all time anthems.

[shorn70]

that guy dancning with his beer gut and all... classic!

[rooartuk]

Mate..you're a legend for finding this one...haven't seen it in ages!!

[gimmyed]

A nice find.

Straight in AMONGST THE FAVORITES.

[Noggins51]

After all these years I've found it. Listen to it all the time.

[TrueFiendish]

thanks for putting this up. a classic.