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Stiff Little Fingers

Background information
Origin Belfast, Northern Ireland
Genre(s) Punk Rock
Years active 1977-1982, 1987–present
Label(s) Rough Trade Records
Chrysalis Records
Kung Fu Records
EMI
Associated acts The Jam
Jake Burns and the Big Wheel
Tom Robinson Band
Ruefrex
Casbah Club
Friction Groove
Dan Donnelly
Website Official website
Members
Jake Burns
Ali McMordie
Steve Grantley
Ian McCallum
Former members
Gordon Blair
Henry Cluney
Brian Falloon
Jim Reilly
Dolphin Taylor
Bruce Foxton
Dave Sharp

Stiff Little Fingers are a punk band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, formed in 1977. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Rough Trade Records began as an Independent record label, based in London, England. Chrysalis Records was a British Record label that was created in 1969 Kung Fu Records is an American Independent record label founded in 1996 by Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald of the Punk The EMI Group is a British music company comprising the major record company EMI Music – which operates several labels and is based in Kensington in The Jam were an English Mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s Jake Burns and the Big Wheel were a band put together by former Stiff Little Fingers vocalist Jake Burns in 1982. Tom Robinson Band (TRB were a British Rock band, established in 1976 by Singer, Songwriter and Bassist Tom Robinson (born Ruefrex, originally called Roofwrecks, were formed in 1977 by Paul Burgess and Tom Coulter at the Boys Model School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Casbah Club is a mod rock band formed in 2004, consisting of Guitarist / Vocalist Simon Townshend (brother Friction Groove was a band formed c1983 by Ali McMordie after the break up of Stiff Little Fingers. Daniel Thomas Donnelly (born 1974) is a New York based Singer-songwriter. Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Alistair Jardine "Ali" McMordie (born 31 March 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a bass guitarist who made his name with and was Steve Grantley is a British Drummer who plays for Stiff Little Fingers, The Alarm and RTZ Global. Ian McCallum (born September 1965 in Kenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) is a Los Angeles based English Guitarist. Gordon Blair (born Belfast, 1953 is a Northern Irish Musician, usually known as Gordy Blair. Henry Cluney (born 4 August 1957, Belfast, Northern Ireland) was a Guitarist in Highway Star the school band that Brian Faloon is a Musician born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. James G Reilly (born 1957 was the second drummer for the Northern Ireland punk band Stiff Little Fingers from 1979 to 1981 Brian "Dolphin" Taylor (born 11 October 1958) is a British Drummer. Bruce Foxton (born 1 September 1955, Woking, Surrey) is an English Rock and roll Musician who is best remembered Dave Sharp, (born in the Kersal district of Salford, Lancashire, 28 January 1959) is an English guitarist most noted Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star (named after the Deep Purple song), doing rock covers, until they discovered punk. Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertfordshire in 1968 They split up after six years and four albums, although they reformed five years later, in 1987. Despite major personnel changes, they are still touring and recording as of 2008. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Jake Burns, their lead singer, is the only member to have been with the band during all its incarnations, although in March 2006, original bass guitarist Ali McMordie rejoined them following the departure of The Jam bass player Bruce Foxton after fifteen years. Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Alistair Jardine "Ali" McMordie (born 31 March 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a bass guitarist who made his name with and was The Jam were an English Mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s Bruce Foxton (born 1 September 1955, Woking, Surrey) is an English Rock and roll Musician who is best remembered

Contents

Early years

Prior to becoming Stiff Little Fingers, Jake Burns, vocals and guitar, Henry Cluney, guitar, Gordon Blair, bass, and Brian Falloon, drums, were playing in a rock music cover band, Highway Star, in Belfast. Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Henry Cluney (born 4 August 1957, Belfast, Northern Ireland) was a Guitarist in Highway Star the school band that Gordon Blair (born Belfast, 1953 is a Northern Irish Musician, usually known as Gordy Blair. Brian Faloon is a Musician born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Upon the departure of Gordon Blair (who went on to play with another Belfast group, Rudi), Ali McMordie took over on bass. Rudi was a Punk rock / Power pop band, formed in 1975 in East Belfast. Alistair Jardine "Ali" McMordie (born 31 March 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a bass guitarist who made his name with and was Cluney had by this time discovered punk, and introduced the rest of the band to it. They decided that Highway Star wasn't a punk enough name, and after a brief flirtation with the name The Fast, decided to call themselves Stiff Little Fingers, Burns taking the name from a Vibrators track. The Vibrators are an original and long-lived British Punk rock band that formed in 1976.

It was while they were doing a gig at the Glenmachan Hotel that they met up with Gordon Ogilvie, who was a Marxist journalist with the Daily Express newspaper, invited along for the evening by Colin McClelland, another journalist with, with whom Jake had been corresponding. The Daily Express is a conservative Middle-market British Tabloid Newspaper. Colin McClelland (born 1944 is a retired Journalist, born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Ogilvie suggested they play material based upon their experience of the Troubles. McClelland arranged to get the band some recording time at a local radio station, and in the studio normally used to record jingles, they recorded "Suspect Device". The single was packaged in the form of a cassette, with a cover depicting a cassette bomb, apparently causing great hilarity in the group, when one record company phoned them and asked for another copy, as they'd thrown the first one in a bucket of water for fear that it was a real bomb. [1]

A copy of the single was sent to John Peel. John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004 known professionally as John Peel, was an English Disc jockey, radio He played it repeatedly leading to a distribution deal through Rough Trade. Rough Trade Records began as an Independent record label, based in London, England. Peel would later do the same with the first single by another famous Northern Irish band, The Undertones. The Undertones are a Northern Irish Punk rock / Power pop band formed in Derry in 1975 There were a number of well-publicised arguments between the two bands; the Undertones accused Stiff Little Fingers of sensationalising the Northern Ireland conflict, while they retorted that The Undertones ignored it.

Inflammable Material

In the second half of 1978, they toured with the Tom Robinson Band, and in 1979, they released their first album, Inflammable Material. Tom Robinson Band (TRB were a British Rock band, established in 1976 by Singer, Songwriter and Bassist Tom Robinson (born Inflammable Material is the 1979 debut album by the Northern Irish punk band Stiff Little Fingers. This inspired their move to London, which led to the departure of Brian Falloon and Colin McClelland (who along with Gordon Ogilvie had been joint manager of the band up until that point). London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Inflammable Material was the first album released on Rough Trade records, and the first independent album to chart in the UK. Inflammable Material is the 1979 debut album by the Northern Irish punk band Stiff Little Fingers. Rough Trade Records began as an Independent record label, based in London, England.

Jim Reilly became their drummer in time for the "Gotta Gettaway" single, and played in the Rock Against Racism tour. James G Reilly (born 1957 was the second drummer for the Northern Ireland punk band Stiff Little Fingers from 1979 to 1981 Rock Against Racism ( RAR) was a campaign set up in the United Kingdom by Red Saunders, Roger Huddle and others in winter 1976

Nobody's Heroes and Go for It

In mid-1979, Stiff Little Fingers signed to Chrysalis Records, and in 1980 released their second album, Nobody's Heroes. Chrysalis Records was a British Record label that was created in 1969 Nobody's Heroes is the second album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music) 1981's Go for It followed. Go For It is the third album by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1981 (see 1981 in music) Soon after the Go for It tour, Jim Reilly left the band. His place was taken by Brian 'Dolphin' Taylor, who Jake remembered from Taylor's days with the Tom Robinson Band. Brian "Dolphin" Taylor (born 11 October 1958) is a British Drummer.

Breakup

Now Then. . .

In 1982 came a 4 song EP called £1. 10 or Less and then their fourth studio album, Now Then... (although their fifth album, as they had released a live LP, Hanx, between Nobody's Heroes and Go for It). Now Then is the fourth album by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1982 (see 1982 in music) Hanx! is a live Punk album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music) By this time they had diversified musically, and Now Then had an almost pop feel about it in places. This led some of their more hardcore fans to feel alienated, and in the face of low sales and concert attendances, they broke up in 1983, when Burns said: "Our last LP Now Then was to my mind the best album we have made. But it is also unfortunately the best I think we will ever make. So I have decided to call it a day. " The band later revealed the original split had been somewhat acrimonious, with bandmembers apparently having fistfights rather than talking through their differences. [2]

Reformation

They reformed in 1987; according to Burns, because they were "skint and wanted to make a bit of cash to get back to Ireland for Christmas". Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world They released some live albums and did short tours towards the end of the 1980s, and by 1990 were thinking of reforming permanently.

Flags and Emblems

Ali McMordie decided he could not commit the time to tour full-time or record, and so left, being replaced by Bruce Foxton (previously bass guitarist in The Jam) in time to record 1991's Flags and Emblems. Bruce Foxton (born 1 September 1955, Woking, Surrey) is an English Rock and roll Musician who is best remembered The Jam were an English Mod revival band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s Flags and Emblems is the fifth studio album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1991 (see 1991 in music) In Britain, the single from this album, "Beirut Moon", was withdrawn from sale on the first day of release,[3][4] allegedly because it criticised the government for not acting to free hostage John McCarthy, who had been held in the Lebanon. John Patrick McCarthy CBE (born November 26 1956) is a British Journalist who was Kidnapped by Islamic Jihad Terrorists Lebanon (ˈlɛbənɒn Arabic: ar لبنان Lubnān) officially the Republic of Lebanon or Lebanese Republic (ar الجمهورية اللبنانية

In 1993 Burns made what he described as one of the hardest decisions of his life and asked Henry Cluney to leave the band,[1] and the trio of Jake Burns, Bruce Foxton and Dolphin Taylor continued for the next four years, joined on live shows by either Dave Sharp or Ian McCallum. Dave Sharp, (born in the Kersal district of Salford, Lancashire, 28 January 1959) is an English guitarist most noted Ian McCallum (born September 1965 in Kenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England) is a Los Angeles based English Guitarist.

Get a Life

In 1994 they released Get a Life in the UK, releasing it in the U. Get a Life is the sixth studio album by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1994 (see 1994 in music) S. in 1996. By the end of 1996 Taylor left due to family commitments. Burns called in Steve Grantley who had played drums for Jake Burns and the Big Wheel in the late 1980s. Steve Grantley is a British Drummer who plays for Stiff Little Fingers, The Alarm and RTZ Global. Jake Burns and the Big Wheel were a band put together by former Stiff Little Fingers vocalist Jake Burns in 1982.

Tinderbox - Guitar and Drum

The trio of Burns, Foxton and Grantley recorded 1997's Tinderbox album, with help from Ian McCallum who joined as a full time member for 1999's and best of all...Hope Street . Tinderbox is the seventh studio album recorded by Stiff Little Fingers, in 1997 Hope Street is the eighth studio album recorded by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1999 (see 1999 in music) This same line-up recorded 2003's Guitar and Drum. Guitar and Drum is the ninth studo album recorded by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 2004.

Lineup change

On January 18, 2006, the following announcement appeared on the SLF Website. Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Bruce Foxton has announced that he is to leave Stiff Little Fingers with immediate effect. After 15 years of writing, recording and touring with SLF Bruce says it is time to move on and concentrate on other projects. "The situation is amicable" says Foxton. "I have enjoyed my time with Jake, Ian and Steve and will miss them. Naturally I wish them all continued success and hope to catch up with the boys during their spring tour. "

Obviously, we as well wish Bruce every success in everything he goes on to do in the future. He has been a fantastic asset to the band and we'll miss him as well.

Jake, Steve, Ian.

On January 23, 2006, it was announced that original bass guitarist Ali McMordie was to rejoin the band for the duration of their upcoming March tour. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The tour was a success, with many fans writing into SLF's message board saying how much they enjoyed it, and how fired up the band seemed to be. After much discussion regarding the status of McMordie within the band after the tour, on 21 April 2006, Burns posted the following on the message board. Events 753 BC - Romulus and Remus found Rome ( traditional date) Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

"For the time being Mr. McMordie is happy to continue as long as his busy schedule allows. It may be that occasionally we have to bring on a "substitute", if he is up to his eyes and we need to do something, but hopefully we can avoid that.

Cheers,

Jake. "

New album

On March 9, 2007, Jake Burns announced that Stiff Little Fingers would be recording a new album which would hopefully be completed by the end of 2007. Events 590 - Bahram Chobin is crowned as king Barham VI of Persia. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. They have previewed a track from the new album, "Liars Club", at live concerts. The track is named after a bar Jake drove past on his way home whilst listening to a press report about Tony Blair, George W. Bush and the Iraq War. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The band will also be touring Australia in May 2008 in support of the new album with a show at The Forum on May 9 in Sydney and May 10 at the Hi-Fi in Melbourne. Events 1457 BC - Battle of Megiddo (15th century BC between Thutmose III and a large Canaanite coalition under the King of Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Events 1291 - Scottish Nobles recognize the authority of Edward I of England. Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3

Personnel

Stiff Little Fingers personnel
Highway Star
(1977)
(1977-1979)
(1979-1981)
(1981-1982)
(1982-1987) Band split. Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Henry Cluney (born 4 August 1957, Belfast, Northern Ireland) was a Guitarist in Highway Star the school band that The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Brian Faloon is a Musician born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Gordon Blair (born Belfast, 1953 is a Northern Irish Musician, usually known as Gordy Blair. The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Henry Cluney (born 4 August 1957, Belfast, Northern Ireland) was a Guitarist in Highway Star the school band that The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Alistair Jardine "Ali" McMordie (born 31 March 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a bass guitarist who made his name with and was The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Brian Faloon is a Musician born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Henry Cluney (born 4 August 1957, Belfast, Northern Ireland) was a Guitarist in Highway Star the school band that The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Alistair Jardine "Ali" McMordie (born 31 March 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a bass guitarist who made his name with and was The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. James G Reilly (born 1957 was the second drummer for the Northern Ireland punk band Stiff Little Fingers from 1979 to 1981 A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Jake Burns (born John Burns, 21 February 1958 in Belfast) is a Singer and Guitarist, and is best known as a member Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Henry Cluney (born 4 August 1957, Belfast, Northern Ireland) was a Guitarist in Highway Star the school band that The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Alistair Jardine "Ali" McMordie (born 31 March 1959, Belfast, Northern Ireland) is a bass guitarist who made his name with and was The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech. Brian "Dolphin" Taylor (born 11 October 1958) is a British Drummer. A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, which is often contrasted with Speech.
(1987-1991)
(1991-1993)
(1993-1996)
(1996-1998)
(1998-2006)
(2006-present)

Discography

Singles and EPs

Studio albums

Compilation and live albums

They also made the music for the game Pro Pinball: Timeshock! (1997)

°These albums were made available exclusively at live performances and through SLF. Inflammable Material is the 1979 debut album by the Northern Irish punk band Stiff Little Fingers. Nobody's Heroes is the second album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music) Go For It is the third album by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1981 (see 1981 in music) Now Then is the fourth album by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1982 (see 1982 in music) Flags and Emblems is the fifth studio album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1991 (see 1991 in music) Get a Life is the sixth studio album by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1994 (see 1994 in music) Tinderbox is the seventh studio album recorded by Stiff Little Fingers, in 1997 Hope Street is the eighth studio album recorded by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1999 (see 1999 in music) Guitar and Drum is the ninth studo album recorded by Stiff Little Fingers, released in 2004. The Christmas Album is a bootleg album featuring the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) although later released as an official Broken Fingers/Live in Aberdeen is a Live album featuring the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1979 (see 1979 in music) and later released Hanx! is a live Punk album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music) All the Best is a compilation album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1983. Live and Loud is a live Punk album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music) No Sleep 'til Belfast is a live Punk album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music) Greatest Hits Live is a live Punk album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1988 (see 1988 in music) See You Up There is a Live album by the punk band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1989 (see 1989 in music) Alternative Chartbusters is a Compilation album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1991 (see 1991 in music) Fly The Flags is a Live album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, first released on October 26 1994 (see 1994 in music) The Radio One Sessions is a compilation of performances for BBC Radio, recorded between 1980 and 1982. Fifteen and Counting Live at the Barrowland 17 March 2006 is a Live Album by the band Stiff Little Fingers, first released on October 2006 (see Timeshock! is a 1997 Pinball Computer game developed by Cunning Development and published by Empire Interactive. com

References

  1. ^ a b Burns, Jake, Parker, Alan "Stiff Little Fingers Song By Song", Sanctuary Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-86074-513-X
  2. ^ Band History. "SLF.com". slf. com. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.
  3. ^ Album Review. "Stiff Little Fingers Anthology". hmv. co. uk. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.
  4. ^ Artist Profiles. "Bruce Foxton". vh1. com. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.

External links

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