Got into some ska this week. It all started with "Johnny Was" by N. Irish band Stiff Little Fingers. Originally a Bob Marley tune, I thought it was translated well by SLF to reflect their view on The Troubles.
Stiff Little Fingers just shouldn't exist. Everything about them is improbable. Their first album was beyond brilliant and still is the defining work for an entire branch of punk. Their singer's voice. Is perfect. And awful. And amazing. They didn't die/weren't killed during The Troubles for singing in-your-face shit. They didn't die of anything else. They didn't go down the drugs hole. They continue to travel, play, and innovate EVEN TODAY. (I last saw them this year, just before COVID.) They write new music that is just as cutting/poignant as their early stuff ("Bang Bang" hasn't even been recorded yet, I think, but they are playing it live.) They are big fat old men, who still have integrity and VERVE. Amazing Their web URL is "slfrocks.com". Which rocks. SLF is under-appreciated. Absolutely. Their Name
Well, well ,well, you live and learn.. I always assumed their name was about the palm inward V sign but apparently it's from a Vibrators song. Much more plausible. Their name
The idea of "stiff little finger" comes from upper class finishing schools for girls, where they were trained to drink their tea with the pinky finger extended. It was a way to signal your upper-class status and be subtly snooty. Hence, an Irish band from Northern Ireland with the name "Stiff Little Fingers" was particularly ironic.
That is one of my favorite comments ever. All of it is so true and I am just learning about them!
SLF was my first gig. I went with a friend who was stopped at the door, unknown to me he had a knife on him. smh. Despite being alone it's probably in my top 10 gigs.
Amazing. I am jealous and did not expect to see a couple of hubsters be such big fans. though I really shouldn't be surprised about that.