Believe it or not, before I discovered a certain maudlin Manchester quartet, Stiff Little Fingers were my absolute favourite band.  I’ve still got every studio 7″ single, all picture covers,  from the fabulous Alternative Ulster, (surely one of the greatest and most recognisable opening riffs ever!!!) Through a rollercoaster SLF back catalogue of  Nobody’s Hero, At the Edge and Gotta (Gotta) Getaway… even bought the more poppy later stuff TalkBack, Price of Admission. Also own the first 5 studio albums, again all on vinyl and have seen them more time than I care to remember, through countless line up changes. I can remember 3 piece/ 4 piece lineups Dolphin Taylor, Bruce Foxton and then the heralded return of Ali McMordie. It’s fair to say that SLF have played a fairly big part in my formative years. So when MTH asked us to plug a last minute gig by these fellas on Tuesday 19th October, (just over a weeks time) well… it’s hardly a chore.

A seminal British punk band, up there with the very best and still able to show the young upstarts a thing or two live with what have become Punk rock anthems… there’s probably no need for Jake Burns to turn up, since most of the crowd sing back every song.  Actually that happened at a CUD gig when Carl Putnam couldn’t make a gig cos of a new baby, and the audience took over the vocals… but that’s another story!

Anyhoo… I digress…

Support comes from 4 Mile Drive, who will be offering a slice of , energetic punk rock straight out of Middlesbrough. They recently supported, Bowling For Soup, as well as entertaining  crowds at this year’s Middlesbrough Music Live and the Stockton Riverside Fringe Festival.

A cracking night is guaranteed. Go… buy tickets!!!

Stiff Little Fingers plus 4 Mile Drive perform on Tuesday 19 October, 8pm. Tickets are priced £16 and can be booked on 01642 729729.

By Dave on October 8, 2010