01 May 2024 (gig)
02 May 2024
When it comes to actual survivors of the original punk rock era, the soldiers still active are far and few between. While there have been some pleasant surprises lately, the regrouping of the original lineup of The Damned was unexpected, Stiff Little Fingers is still one of the only ones left standing. Originating in Belfast, Ireland in 1977, Stiff Little Fingers are one of the most influential punk bands of all time and you certainly can see where Green Day and The Offspring garnered their inspiration from. The band is so respected that the former bassist for The Jam, Bruce Foxton, was member of the band for several years.
The current lineup features original members Jake Burns (lead vocals and guitar) and Ali McMordie (bass) with longtime members Ian McCallum (guitar) and Steve Grantley (drums).
Stiff Little Fingers is currently on its farewell tour (dubbed the "Hate Has No Home Here" tour) and is making the rounds one last time. Stiff Little Fingers performed to a packed house at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) on May 1, 2024, which kicked off the US leg of their final jaunt.
The quartet started off in full gear as they tore through "Suspect Device", "State of Emergency", "Fly the Flag" and "Hate Has No Home Here".
From here, Stiff Little Fingers did a couple of cover versions: Bunny Wailer's "Roots, Radics, Rockers, Reggae" (with their own "Silve Lining" sandwiched in between the cover songs) and a fantastic version of John Hurley's "Love of the Common People".
Burns was in fantastic vocal shape all night but shined especially on “My Dark Places”. A very serious song about depression and loneliness, ("Some days you really feel like screaming/Some days you swear you'll never smile anymore"). Burns urged the crowd to always talk to someone if they were feeling despair, which was a very cool moment to share with the Stiff Little Fingers’ disciples.
Following great versions of "Wasted Life" and "Get a Life", Burns spoke of the first time he saw the late Joe Strummer (of The Clash) and about the influence that Strummer had on him. The band then played a touching tribute to Strummer with the song "Strummerville" ("You lit a flame in my heart/And it is burning still/And every time I hear you shout/It still gives me a thrill").
Stiff Little Fingers ended their set with manic renderings of "Tin Soldiers" and "Gotta Gettaway," before returning for an encore of "Barbed Wire Love" and their iconic "Alternative Ulster". If this is the last time that Stiff Little Fingers ever play Boston again, they certainly went out like the punk champions they always were.
