Stiff Little Fingers live shows are always special events. None is more special than the band’s annual St Patrick’s show held at the famous Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow. 2016 saw the band celebrate the 25th year in a row they played there, and the show was filmed and recorded by BeatCast initially for a limited edition direct to fan release only via a partnership Pledge Music. Find out more about our partnership projects here. Now earMUSIC will release Stiff Little Fingers’ Best Served Loud – Live At Barrowland on CD, DVD and vinyl as well as for the very first time on Blu-ray.
With the latest studio album No Going Back and songs such as “Trail of Tears”, “My Dark Places” and “Liar’s Club”, Stiff Little Fingers spanned topics including the economic crash, Jake’s personal struggle with depression, and racism in the west. The candid and sincere nature of these tracks, like much of SLF’s music, captures the heart of the listener. In particular, “My Dark Places” which opens with lyrics: “Well it cuts just like a knife/Takes away your love of life” was so inspiring that countless fans contacted Jake to tell him how the song gave them the strength to tell others about their own bouts with depression.
Formed in 1977 in Belfast Stiff Little Fingers were among some of the pioneers of punk rock. Joining ranks with the likes of The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Damned , Buzzcocks, and Undertones they brought in a new era of music. Their music was a culmination of their own experiences and the political strife they witnessed, growing up at the height of “The Troubles” in Northern Ireland,. From this many notable songs forth came, including “Suspect Device” and “Alternative Ulster”. These were the first of what became SLF’s signature style: lyrics that meld the personal and political, music that combines the energy of punk with infectious hooks, and a delivery that rings of honesty and commitment. It’s this raw edge that defines the band and their continued vulnerability is what makes their music so relatable – allowing them to draw back fans time and time again.
