It is many years since I last saw Stiff Little Fingers. I seem to recall seeing them at Newcastle City Hall on their farewell tour, in the mid–1980s, supported by (I think) James (or did I dream that?). Somewhere along the line the band reformed, fronted by original member Jake Burns. Roll back a few years more and I remember witnessing their first Newcastle concert at the Guildhall in 1978 when they were supported by local punk heroes The Angelic Upstarts.
There was a lot of trouble that night as I recall. Keith Bell, a.k.a. The Sheriff, the manager of the Upstarts stood at the front of the stage keeping the crowd in order. This was at the time of their first album Inflammable Material and great songs such as “Suspect Device” and “Alternative Ulster”. So, roll forward almost 45 years and I am trying to make up for lost time, going to a SLF concert again. The band is once again fronted by Jake Burns. Perfect.
“In 2006, original bassist Ali McMordie returned to the fold, and the line-up has settled to the best ever; Jake Burns on lead vocals and guitar, Ali McMordie on bass, Ian McMallun on guitar, and Steve Grantley on drums. Though focused on their new material, they always play the old favorites at gigs. Jake said, “You have to strike a balance. The difficulty with a band like ourselves is to try not make it sound like a cabaret band.
Obviously, it’d be very easy to go, ‘Hey, here’s another old one you may remember.’ A lot of the old songs the audience greet like old friends. I suppose it’s the same as any band that’s been around for any length of time. And yes, there are nights that we don’t particularly want to play “Alternative Ulster” or “Suspect Device” because we’ve heard them ’til they’re coming out our ears. But there’s always the possibility that somebody out there has never seen the band before, never heard them.”” (From SLF website).
Support came from Glen Matlock, original Sex Pistol, who played a collection of his own songs, “Blank Generation” by Richard Hell, a Rich Kids song which was unfamiliar to me and “Pretty Vacant”. An excellent opening to the proceedings.
“Stiff Little Fingers formed in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1977 during the height of “The Troubles” and the early stages of the punk movement. In February 1978, in jest and as a very shrewd marketing move, the band made tapes of their inaugural single “Suspect Device” in packaging resembling a bomb, and dispatched it to record companies and radio stations.
One notable recipient who refrained from promptly tossing it into a bucket of water was John Peel. He played the track repeatedly, ultimately catalyzing a deal with Rough Trade and igniting a career that has endured for nearly 50 years, encompassing countless performances, 10 studio albums, 18 live albums, and only one breakup. 2024 is going to be a big year for Stiff Little Fingers with the “Hate Has No Home Here” tour, which starts in March in the UK.” https://www.inspitemagazine.com/in-spite-articles/stiff-little-fingers
The band were as incendiary as ever opening with “Suspect Device” and closing with “Alternative Ulster”. Along the way we were also treated to great songs including an excellent cover of “Love Of the Common People”, “Wasted Life” and “Nobody’s Hero”. Excellent. Jake Burns was on top form and the band were as powerful as they ever were.
Many thanks to Elaine for taking the photos and Jan for helping me manipulate the site.
Setlist: Suspect Device; State of Emergency; Fly the Flag; Hate Has No Home Here; At the Edge; Silver Lining; Love of the Common People; Just Fade Away; Last Train From the Wasteland; Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae; Empty Sky; Wasted Life; Get a Life; Strummerville; Nobody’s Hero; Tin Soldiers; Gotta Gettaway.
Encore: Doesn’t Make It Alright; Alternative Ulster
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