Inflammable Material Still Burning
Stiff Little Fingers have been around for a long time- over 25 years infact- in one form or another. The reason for this longevity is quite simple; they are fucking great! They are consistently name dropped as major influences by many of todays forerunners from The Offspring and The Wildhearts to Dropkick Murphys and Good Charlotte (not sure we thank them for that one!) and it's not hard to see why. SLF produced a stream of fantastic three minute power punk songs with the best sing along choruses you will ever hear, once you have seen them live it's pretty hard not to get hooked and become a repeat offender!
There is a really good crowd in tonight featuring the usual mix of old punks alongside those kids that have taken the trouble to find out what it was all about, whatever reason they came for nobody is going to leave disappointed tonight. Although Jake Burns is the only original member in the current line up there is no denying that he is SLF, without him they simply wouldn't exist and he is ably assisted by ex-Jam bassist Bruce Foxton, guitarist Ian McCallum and drummer Steve Grantley.
After the now all too familiar intro of their 'Go For It', the band come on and launch straight into the classic 'Nobody's Hero'. The crowd are instantly in full voice, even giving a rousing rendition of the intro! SLF have such an impressive back catalogue that it would be difficult for them to find a song that wouldn't go down well, as it is we get a bunch of older tunes to start with 'Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae' followed by 'Fade Away'.
Ok so they've put on a few pounds over the years but they haven't lost any of the energy or enthusiasm, Jake still whirls his arm in Pete Townsend style and occasionally tries the odd leap that was once his trademark. Bruce Foxton is the same as he ever was, he sings along and moves from one side of the stage to the other, clearly enjoying every minute. It's this kind of enthusiasm that makes SLF such a great live band and keeps the fans coming back time after time. It shouldn't be overlooked however that they are still making new albums and a timely reminder of this is delivered in the shape of 'Still Burning', one of the better songs of recent years.
The highlight of the set has to be the old favourite 'Barbed Wire Love', during the middle Beach Boys style section (if you haven't heard it you really should!), the crowd raise their arms and sway from side to side, it's tongue in cheek for sure but it looks great, especially when it kicks back in and the pit at the front goes crazy.
There is a good mix of tracks from different albums aired tonight and it's especially good to hear a couple from the 'Get A Life' album, namely 'Forensic Evidence' and 'Each Dollar A Bullet'. I'd forgotten how good those songs are.
Another highlight tonight is 'Strummerville', this time dedicated to John Peel who, as with so many other bands, was the first to give SLF radio time. 'Fly The Flag' is nothing short of outstanding, it still sounds as strong and powerful as it ever did and perhaps gets the best audience participation of the evening. The only slightly duff song is the title track of the last album 'Guitar and Drum', admirable sentiments in lauding the virtues of 'real' bands over boy bands and the like but we all knew that anyway and put into this context it's a little cringe worthy. However all is forgiven with a good rendition of 'Breakout' from their first album before the inevitable finale of 'Alternative Ulster'.
The only disappointment for the first timers tonight is that they didn't play 'Suspect Device', which in my humble opinion is still the best song they ever wrote. Nobody's too downbeat about it though as the rest of the set was so strong. SLF carry on because they never disappoint, the material is so strong they can't really go wrong when they pick the set list!
Prolific tourers that they are, we know it won't be too long before they come around again and if you haven't already, make the effort. You won't be disappointed and you'll kick yourself for not discovering them sooner.
Set List:
Go For It (Intro)
Nobody's Hero
Roots Radicals Rockers and Reggae
Fade Away
Still Burning
At The Edge
Emergency
Can't Get Away With That
I Could Be Happy Yesterday
Barbed Wire Love
Forensic Evidence
Strummerville
Each Dollar A Bullet
Is That What You Fought The War For
Fly The Flag
Wasted Life
Tin Soldiers
Guitar and Drum
Breakout
Alternative Ulster