Stiff Little Fingers

Formed in Belfast in 1977 against the backdrop of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, Stiff Little Fingers developed a direct, tense and melodic punk rock sound, driven by Jake Burns’s lyrics about everyday life, political violence and youth disenfranchisement. Originally active under the name Highway Star, the band adopted punk aesthetics and released the single “Suspect Device” in 1978 on their own label, Rigid Digits, before it was distributed by Rough Trade and they recorded John Peel sessions. Stiff Little Fingers then secured a lasting place on the British punk scene with “Alternative Ulster” and the album Inflammable Material (1979), followed by Nobody’s Heroes (1980), Go for It (1981) and Now Then... (1982). After splitting in 1983, the band reformed in 1987 and continued with several lineup changes; Jake Burns remains the only member present throughout all phases. Their repertoire retains a nervous punk core—straightforward guitars, tight rhythms and collective choruses—while broadening its themes across later albums such as Flags and Emblems (1991), Get a Life (1994), Tinderbox (1997), Hope Street (1999), Guitar and Drum (2003) and No Going Back (2014). The quartet today comprises Jake Burns, Ali McMordie, Ian McCallum and Steve Grantley.