Crisp, Clean, and Classic: Irish Punk Rock Legends Stiff Little Fingers Visit New York

Sep 30

Words and Photos by Madeline Breeze

The Northern Irish punk rock legends Stiff Little Fingers, known for classic albums like “Inflammable Material” and “Nobody’s Heroes,” rocked the house on Friday, 09/05 at Racket NYC on their Flame of the Heart tour.

Opener The Attack, a Florida-based punk band started the night off right with a tight set of adrenaline-filled jams and some classic covers. They kept the energy on stage light and fun in between songs, and then channeled raw emotion into their performance.

The crowd buzzed with excitement as we waited for the Stiff Little Fingers to start. Some fans I spoke to, like me, were seeing the band for the first time. Other fans had caught every tour for the past two decades – and the t-shirts to prove it. Stiff Little Fingers have cultivated a dedicated fan base, and deservedly so.

As frontman Jake Burns greeted the audience, drummer Steve Grantley’s crisp drumming kicked off the set with a Bunny Wailer cover of “Roots, Radics Rockets, Reggae.”

The band continued with classics like “At the Edge” and “Wasted Life.” Their signature fast-paced and catchy riffs got the crowd dancing and the mosh pit active for a majority of the set. Guitarist Ian McCallum kept up the lively energy of the set as he bounced across the stage.

Throughout the show, frontman Jake Burns shared anecdotes and thoughts with the crowd. He described how the band looked up to The Clash as they got their start and eventually became their peers as they cemented their own following. Burns was especially inspired by fellow frontman Joe Strummer, who he memorialized in their heartfelt song “Strummertime.”

Stiff Little Fingers have never shied away from expressing their opinions on the world and tonight was no exception. As Burns introduced a new song titled “Mary’s Boy Child,” a reference to President Donald Trump, he was clear in his opposition to Trump’s policies.Though the band famously hails from Belfast, bassist Ali McMordie said that he considered the night a homecoming, as he and Burns both immigrated to the United States in past years. He showed his pride by wearing a black t-shirt with the word “immigrant” across his chest.

As the band continued playing through hits and deep-cuts alike, the high energy did not die down as the crowd was shouting out the chorus to “Suspect Device” and punching the air.

The beginning of “Tin Soldiers” highlighted just how well they play together, as Burns and McCallum shredded on guitar over Grantley’s hammering drums and McMordie's pulsing bass line. This was followed by a personal favorite of mine, “Gotta Gettaway,” where Burns wailed out the unforgettable chorus.

When the band walked off, the floor shook with a stomping chant for their return. I have never seen such an intense demand for an encore. But, of course, the night would not be complete without two more iconic hits off of their debut album. In awe of Grantley’s insane drum fill on “Barbed Wire Love,” the crowd waved their arms and sang their hearts out to the doo-wop inspired and sardonic tune.

The crowd fell silent as Burns rang in the memorable first riff of "Alternative Ulster,” ready to let loose and shout back the lyrics as the rest of the band joined in. It was such a joyous and special moment getting to sing along to a song that is just as relevant today across the world as it was for the young teens of Belfast back in 1978. The Stiff Little Fingers continue to call on their audience to be the change they want to see in the world, as McMordie told the crowd, “in the face of adversity - we’re no stranger to it.”

Stiff Little Fingers also performed at Riot Fest in Chicago on Friday, September 19th and will continue their tour in California in October. For more information on the band and their tour, you can check www.slf.rocks and @jakeburnsnufc on Instagram. You can check out more photos from the show below!

Stiff Little Fingers Set List, Racket NYC 09/05:

Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae (Bunny Wailer cover)

At The Edge

Wasted Life

Won’t Be Told

Strummerville

Mary’s Boy Child

Straw Dogs

Piccadilly Circus

Just Fade Away

Doesn’t Make It Alright (The Specials cover)

My Dark Places