Born in the late 70’s in Belfast, Ireland in the midst of “The Troubles”, a period of time where ethno-nationalist conflicts and police brutality dominated the lush Irish scenery, Stiff Little Fingers were basically thrown into a living situation that was perfect for their fast and aggressive punk rock to flourish. Capturing the mayhem and unrest of the time, Inflammable Material went on to become one of the first independent punk albums to chart in the U.K., hitting #14 on the British sales surveys. This was especially poignant as the album’s themes almost exclusively focused on the reality of life in Belfast at the time, which was filled with tension and a generally dystopian view of the world from young teenagers in the region. All of this combined to create a recording that serves as not only a snapshot of the punk rock and New Wave craze that was sweeping across the United Kingdom at the time, but also as a historical document that reflects the realities of Northern Ireland’s tumult during the late 70’s.
Standout Songs: “Barbed Wire Love”, “Suspect Device”, “Alternative Ulster”, “Wasted Life”, “Johnny Was”
