Formed in Belfast at the height of the Troubles after Jake Burns witnessed The Clash playing his hometown, Stiff Little Fingers went on to become one of the most important and influential bands of their era. Debut single, "Suspect Device" heralded what would become their trademark sound with lyrics that melded the personal and political to music that combined the energy of punk with infectious hooks, and a delivery that rang of honesty and commitment.
I saw SLF live a few years back at one of their legendary St Patrick's night gigs at Glasgow Barrowlands when Bruce Foxton was playing with them and that energy and commitment was still there. There can be few better debut albums than the incomparable "Inflammable Material" which still sounds as fresh and relevant today as it did back in '78. Starting with "Suspect Device" it does not let up once and contains some of the most visceral and exciting music of that era.
A true classic in every sense of the word..every home should have one...
Johnny Was
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