Stiff Little Fingers

Stiff Little Fingers
Live in Chicago 2012 From left to right: Ali McMordie, Jake Burns, Ian McCallum
Live in Chicago 2012
From left to right: Ali McMordie, Jake Burns, Ian McCallum
Background information
OriginBelfast, Northern Ireland
Genres
Years active
  • 1977–1982
  • 1987–present
Labels
MembersJake Burns
Ali McMordie
Steve Grantley
Ian McCallum
Past membersHenry Cluney
Dave Sharp
Gordon Blair
Brian Faloon
Jim Reilly
Dolphin Taylor
Bruce Foxton
Websitewww.slf.rocks//

Stiff Little Fingers are a Northern Irish punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. They formed in 1977 at the height of the Troubles, which informed much of their songwriting. They started out as a schoolboy band called Highway Star (named after the Deep Purple song), doing rock covers, until they discovered punk. They were the first punk band in Belfast to release a record – the "Suspect Device" single came out on their own independent label, Rigid Digits. Their album Inflammable Material, released in partnership with Rough Trade, became the first independent LP to enter the UK top 20.

After six years and four albums, they split up. They re-formed five years later, in 1987.[1] Despite major personnel changes, they are still touring and recording. In 2014, the band released their tenth studio album and a world tour followed its release. Jake Burns, the lead singer, is the only member to have been with the band during all its incarnations, but in March 2006, original bass guitarist Ali McMordie rejoined them following the departure of bass player Bruce Foxton after fifteen years.[2]

  1. ^ Savage, Joanne (9 March 2023). "Belfast punks Stiff Little Fingers to perform at Custom House Square". newsletter.co.uk. Retrieved 31 March 2024. After six years and four albums, they split up. They reformed five years later, in 1987.
  2. ^ Sayce, Rebecca (25 January 2020). "Stiff Little Fingers to bring headline tour to Birmingham". www.shropshirestar.com. Retrieved 31 March 2024. Jake Burns, their lead singer, is the only member to have been with the band during all its incarnations, but in March 2006, original bass guitarist Ali McMordie rejoined them following the departure of The Jam bass player Bruce Foxton after 15 years.