Stiff Little Fingers

.....The little facts you uncover when ya start lookin...I'll bet ya didn't know that U2 opened for this band back in 1981 when they played Leeds University... actually to be honest, I didn't know either until recently.

.....Formed in 1977, they came from, what was at the time strife-torn Belfast, Northern Ireland. There were a number of personnel changes over the years, but originally the band comprised of Jack Burns (Guitar, vocals), Brian Faloon (drums), Henry Cluney (guitar, vocals), and Ali McMordie (bass). They had a hard edged sound, inspired stylistically by bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols.

.....There first two singles "Suspect Device" and "Wasted Weekend" were released on their own independent recording label Rigit Digits, and went on to sell over 30,000 copies, thanks to the help of London DJ John Peel who gave them extensive exposure. Their first full album Inflammable Material yielded the single "Alternative Ulster" the album hit the top 30 in the UK, quite an accomplishment for SLF, who were essentially a punk band. After moving to London, drummer Brian Fallon quite and was replaced by Jimmy Reilly, the band signed a deal with Chryslis Records in December 1978, and released their fourth single "Straw Dogs". In 1980 their second LP, Nobody's Heros was released which made the English top 10. The success of this album led to an extensive tour of not only the UK, but North America as well. The next release was a live album in 1981 called Hanx! followed by two more studio albums, Go For It, also in 81' and Now Then, in 1982.

.....Unfortunately by 1983 it was pretty much over, a number of issues including, but not limited to, declining album sales, dwindling fan support, and creative differences lead to the bands break up, although they did reform in 1987.

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Stiff Little Fingers are...

Jake Burns

Ali McMordie

Steve Grantley

Ian McCallum

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Former Memebers...

Gordon Blair

Henry Cluney

Brian Faloon

Bruce Foxton

Jim Reilly

Dave Sharp

Dolphin Taylor