Cherry Red Records release compilation from Stiff Little Fingers’ most commercially successful period. A compact and succinct selections of some bona fide classics.

Release Date: 9th May 2025

Label: Captain Oi!

Format: CD / Digital

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

Punk bands can be ten a penny, however, there are genuine legends in the genre. Stiff Little Fingers are one of those legendary bands. Their motto, ‘Putting the fast in Belfast,’ sums them up perfectly.

Formed in 1977, Stiff Little Fingers released a slew of fantastic singles and albums in their original six year period. Over the course of four albums, they firmly put themselves on the music map.

Inflammable Material was an undisputed independent record as it entered the UK independent charts at number 14; the first record on an independent label to do so. Having been formed at the height of the Troubles, Inflammable Material’s content is choc full of grim social commentary on growing up in Northern Ireland.

CLASSICS

As far as opening statement’s go, Suspect Device is right up there. It is still a thrill to hear this song burst out of the traps. Through the song falling into the hands of John Peel, the song was regularly aired on BBC Radio One. Lyrically, it cuts deep. The bass work of Ali McMordie and drums from Brian Faloon drive the song with Henry Cluney and Jake Burns adding searing guitars. Burns’ vocal delivery oozes passion; when all these parts coalesce, it is a deadly mix.

They make us feel indebted
For saving us from Hell
And then they put us through it
It’s time the bastards fell

Wasted Life and Alternative Ulster make up tracks 2 and 3 on this compilation. It is approximately nine minutes of musical history that should be heard by every single music fan. It places you at a time and place and tells part of a story in an impeccable way. 78 R.P.M completes the opening quartet of songs from Inflammable Material. This is essential listening.

RAW & GRITTY

As Stiff Little Fingers star rose, they didn’t lose any of their grit. Gotta Getaway yearns for getting out of the home ends – it is full of raw rebellion. Burns’ vocal delivery is once again strained and as subtle as a battering ram. It’s respected B-side, Bloody Sunday, references the 1972 massacre in Derry. Whilst not being about the actual events, it deals with the reaction to the events of Bloody Sunday.

Straw Dogs and You Can’t Say Crap On The Radio continue the onslaught. The latter has a pace and style that messrs Armstrong/Dirnt/Cool harnessed to takeover the pop punk world as Green Day. Naturally, progression between albums, and a greater sense of maturity brings slight changes in sound. Nobody’s Heroes is more polished in its production but it is no less flammable. Just take a listen to At The Edge – there is real venom spurting out of every quarter of the band. None of the tumultuous fire that Stiff Little Fingers used on Inflammable Material disappeared; they just harnessed it in a slightly different way.

GO FOR IT

When 1981 came around, Stiff Little Fingers were right in the middle of a purple patch. Again, there is progression in the sound with Jake Burns clearly using every facet of his voice to strike a balance between aggression and restraint to tell the stories Stiff Little Fingers wanted to tell. B-side to Back To Front, Mr Fire Coal-Man plays with a dubbier, more reggae inspired bassline. Burns vocal here, and in plenty of other instances, has a real Elvis Costello vibe.

Just Fade Away moves into more reflective territory, highlighting the breaking down of a relationship between two people. It is more polished and marks another stylistic change, musically, that helped keep the band from stagnation. Whilst showing different tones thematically, it is no less biting and blunt.

Do you want to know do I love you?
The answer’s no
Is that straight enough for you?

CONTINUING EVOLUTION

B-side to Just Fade Away was Go For It; a rare instrumental. It is quite cinematic and again shows a willingness to broaden their musical horizons. Silver Lining is probably one of Stiff Little Fingers most radio friendly sounding singles. It introduces brass sounds and is much more polished.

Now Then… was released in 1982 and following the album, the band split. Sonically, the shift here is certainly more pronounced. Listen is a key signpost for this. Jake Burns vocal range is enhanced in how he delivers the songs, and the terrace style chanted chorus makes the song huge. That’s When Your Blood Bumps taps into that more reggae inspired tempo. Atop the rhythm there is a brilliant guitar solo with a more relaxed sound.

Bits Of Kids and Price Of Admission both charted however the songs never scaled the heights commercially. The former however, is a brilliant song. It brings the Troubles full circle within this period of the band. Lyrically, it is reflective and poignant and speaks of lost youth due to such a horrific backdrop to life.

UNDENIABLE LEGACY

Stiff Little Fingers’ legacy as key players in the evolution of punk is undeniable. Their sound shifted greatly in their early period, however they never lost their punk aesthetic, and their moral compass never swayed its course.

This compilation brings together all the A-sides and B-sides from an exciting chapter in music for this Northern Irish band. There is a booklet that contains detailed liner notes on each single plus illustrations of all relevant sleeves. Again, Captain Oi / Cherry Red Records deliver a wonderful retrospective of a truly great band.

You can order the compilation here.

Get stuck into the bite of Suspect Device.

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