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Thursday 18 January 2018

Vinyl #16 - Stiff Little Fingers

"Suspect Device" / "Wasted Life" (7" single, 45 rpm)

A brilliant band from Northern Ireland who wrote great guitar-based rock songs that spoke about the 'Troubles' in Ulster (hence "Suspect Device"). I immediately warmed to them when John Peel picked up on this - their debut single which was originally released on their own Rigid Digits label [rigid digits = stiff fingers, geddit?], and then picked up by that guaranteed-high-quality label Rough Trade - and this is the version I bought at Focus Records in Waterlooville. They subsequently recorded several great sessions for Peel.

SLF had a raw power and songs with honest lyrics that told the real story of what it was like to be a teenager living in a religiously divided province - they sang about issues that nobody else would sing about - often directly addressing the terrorists in their midst.

A more polished version of the song reappears on their classic debut album "Inflammable Material" but for sheer aggression and power this is my preferred version. I went on to buy several more of SLF's records (which may indeed appear on this blog at a later date) and saw them live at the Portsmouth Guildhall where they didn't disappoint. Like a lot of original punk bands SLF still play live and have a loyal, if ageing following. Personally I don't feel the urge to see them again, they were perfect for the time, but the world and the issues they sang about have moved on...






Here's the song:

https://youtu.be/ZedI0NPU6U4