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A taut, explosive Belfast-based punk band, Stiff Little Fingers (named after a Vibrators song) had the dubious distinction of being referred to as "The Irish Clash." What must have seemed like a compliment at the time did little to help their career, only because it made comparisons between the two bands inevitable. Granted, there were many similarities: both bands debuted playing revved-up late-'70s punk rock, were politically inclined, featured pissed-off lead singers, had a love for reggae, and possessed a near-palpable sense of isolation and desperation. But as we all know, the Clash offered complexity, panache, and a consistently breathtaking body of work. Stiff Little Fingers, on the other hand, were simply a very good punk rock band. With sandpaper-throated frontman Jake Burns leading the way, SLF did release an auspicious, if badly produced, debut album, Inflammable Material, that featured the band's two best songs, "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device." Both were passionate, ferocious songs dealing with the harsh, deadly realities of growing up in the middle of two decades of Northern Ireland's violence. These songs thrust SLF into the limelight and got them loads of enthusiastic press, which led to a contract with the decidedly anti-punk Chrysalis label in 1980. After that, SLF released a handful of pretty good records (including a terrific live album, Hanx), but their unregenerate fast and loud punk style started to sound stale. In 1982, the band released their most non-punk record (Now Then...), which was greeted by general apathy. In a musical rut, dogged by the facile Clash comparisons, and with punk rock running out of steam, Burns pulled the plug on SLF.
Sadly, the band's breakup lasted only five years. After a string of forgettable solo singles and a stint as a BBC Radio producer, Burns, hoping to cash in on punk nostalgia, re-formed SLF (with another aging punk rocker, ex-Jam bassist Bruce Foxton) in 1987, and released a bunch of lousy (mostly live) records for the rest of the millennium. ~ John Dougan, Rovi
How did this vague, totally biased and absolutely USELESS biography make it here? Oh right because Pandora doesn't actually care about the music. Suck a spotted-dick. If you want to be a Clash groupie, write the Clash bio. Sorry your boss didn't give you the assignment that you wanted so you're going to take it out on a band you probably have never listed to John Dougan, Rovi. A biography is more than a list of dates. Find a new job rookie.
Yeah f**k this bio. SLF is better than than the Clash.
ajgilfilen
Yes, The Stiff Little Fingers were *simply* a very good punk band when they essentially set the president for so many hardcore bands that were to follow in the 80's. SLF could be very dynamic and complex, ESPECIALLY in the newer albums. Though maybe never to the extent of The Clash, it shouldn't count against SLF. Anyway, f**k this bio.
Saw them two months ago, still killin it. Top band of its kind, sound and genre. Hands down!
maxjsackett
Whoever wrote this band bio is an idiot. You can't let personal opinions cloud something that other people might use as a tool for getting more information about an artist or band. SLF has a ton of great albums, none of which are lousy.
SLF boldly forged on despite what the non-creative press thought about them. Burns had much to say, and even if he didn't, people still listen to this day. Live they are one of the best band of punk codgers still hitting the road to date. They proved melody can be place in the most abrasive sounding chords and be extremely heart felt without being weak and boring. SLF!
Inflammable Material is one of my top 10 records of all time. It's A+ record! The music is all Punk Rock (emphasize the "Rock") hooks and chops! Jake's vocals are so fukn cool, he could be singing the McDonalds drive thru menu and you wouldn't give a s**t. Here's the catch; Jake really had something to say. If you had never heard the record and only had the lyric sheet, you would of fallen in love with this band anyway!
Specials, Clash and Stiff little Fingers. My three favorite bands still after all these years.SLF even does a killer cover of Specials Doesn't Make it All Right.
Garciareuben14- Chux made that comment with his tongue fimly planted in his cheek Or do I need to explain this comment as well?
khemm153
why does pandora think every 77 punk band sounds like the misfits, SLF sounds nothing like the misfits!
garciareuben14
Chux i disagree with you. I think punk is saying fuk it and taking matters into your own hands. not just sitting on your fuking computer writing about what your going to do about the government and how big of b**ches they are. start doing something you hot topic loving fuker.
I saw them live a few years ago. it was my first punk show. somebody threw a bottle at the singer and he called him a wanker...best show ever. amazing music...definition of punk. =)
In the early 80' this band made me love the punk movement and I never looked back! One of my first records was Nobody's Heroes...great bands to down-load Effigies, Naket Raygun, Local H!
The 70's punk bands were punk! not the wanna punkers of today who only play the part on stage and then they go home and wear nice cloths, drive a S.U.V., watch soap opera's on their big azz plasma tv,and have loads of cash... .
The 70's were raw, straight sewage crap,... . f'n mohawk , razor blade scars, drinkin vomit... .
i love this band but the later releases fell off a bit,but oh well and chux you're gonna have me laughing for a long time. and the whole problem with comments like this is that they give the poster the illusion they're opinion matters to anyone
Punk was never about saying "F.U." to the establishmen t . It was designed for kids in the future to write about on the internet. Everyone at Hot Topic knows that.
Hey if you like the band then why should anyone else's opinion matter? Punk is all about saying "f**k you" to the establishment and the reveiwers at the All Music Guide are the establishment in this case. I don't get why people get upset about a bad reveiw about their favorite band. If you like it then no body should have control over what you like. Unless you only say you like that music because of how much people worship that band, which is very un-punk. SLF rules!
jeff-shaffer
DUGAN'S A JACKASS!! I SAW THE REFORMED LINE-UP AND THEY WERE GREAT!!! I GUESS THEY'LL LET ANYONE WRITE A "REVIEW".
"Dr.John Dougan" from All Music Guide is a jack***. What a horribly inaccurate synopsis of such a great band. Hey Pandora, why is this guy reviewing Stiff Little Fingers: http://frank.mtsu.edu/~record/dougan.html
really just hearing them for the first time probably six months ago thanks to Portlands raw power lunch on KUFO, Bozyk, its good and able to be understood, which is sometimes rare for early punk
Brutal write-up!
"...Sadly, the band's breakup lasted only five years...Burns, hoping to cash in on punk nostalgia...released a bunch of lousy (mostly live) records..."
Yeeowch.
Comments
Clash
Husker Du's - especially the drums and bass and song structure.
F**KIN SUSPECT DEVICE!
amazing music...defi n i t i o n of punk. =)
The 70's were raw, straight sewage crap,... . f'n mohawk , razor blade scars, drinkin vomit... .
Seriously? This is a joke.
"...Sadly, the band's breakup lasted only five years...Burn s , hoping to cash in on punk nostalgia... r e l e a s e d a bunch of lousy (mostly live) records..."
Yeeowch.