Stiff Little Fingers - Assume Nothing... - Very Best Of

"Assume Nothing, Question Everything: The Very Best of Stiff Little Fingers" is a comprehensive two-CD compilation album released in March 2012 by Music Club Deluxe to celebrate the band's 35th anniversary. The anthology contains over 40 tracks that span the legendary Northern Irish punk rock band’s highly influential career, offering an ideal entry point for new listeners and a definitive collection for longtime fans. A standout feature of this specific release is the inclusion of exclusive sleeve notes written directly by frontman Jake Burns, providing personal insights into the songs.

Musically, the compilation captures the raw, energetic fusion of punk rock and new wave that defined the band's signature sound during the late 1970s and 1980s. It features their most iconic, politically charged anthems—including "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device"—which famously tackled the socio-political tensions of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Alongside these fierce anti-authority tracks, the album showcases their musical diversity with melodic fan favourites like "At The Edge" and their popular cover of "Love Of The Common People".

Stiff Little Fingers - Guitar And Drum

Guitar and Drum is the ninth studio album by the Northern Irish punk rock band Stiff Little Fingers, released on 12 August 2003 through EMI and Kung Fu Records. The album marks a fiery return to form for the veteran Belfast group, capturing the raw, melodic, and politically charged energy that defined their early career. It features frontman Jake Burns alongside rhythm guitarist Ian McCallum, drummer Steve Grantley, and former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton. Musically, the record strips away over-production to focus heavily on driving rhythms and powerful dual-guitar hooks, delivering a passionate statement on the enduring spirit of authentic rock and roll.

Theatically, the album is driven by a fierce critique of the modern, corporate-manufactured music industry, a sentiment best exemplified by the driving title track, "Guitar and Drum". It also serves as an emotional milestone for the punk community, featuring the standout tribute song "Strummerville," which honors the life and legacy of the late Clash frontman, Joe Strummer. Balancing social commentary with personal reflection, the tracks blend aggressive punk speed with highly infectious pop-punk choruses. Ultimately, the release proved to fans and critics alike that Stiff Little Fingers remained vital, uncompromising forces in the punk rock landscape well into the 21st century.

Stiff Little Fingers - Hope Street

Hope Street is the eighth studio album by the Belfast punk rock band Stiff Little Fingers, released on 23 March 1999. The record captures a distinct transitional phase for the group, blending their signature aggressive punk energy with mature, melodic songwriting. Frontman Jake Burns led the writing process alongside former The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton, whose melodic bass lines heavily influenced the album's rhythm section. The lyrical themes focus closely on personal integrity, social deception, and political disillusionment, particularly highlighted in the fast-paced, critical title track.

To maximize its appeal across different music scenes, the album originally launched as a double-disc package with regional variations. In the United Kingdom, the new studio material was bundled with a disc of re-recorded classic hits, whereas the United States release included a compilation of energetic live tracks. Beyond its original songs like "Tantalise" and "Bulletproof," the track list features a notable, high-tempo punk cover of Desmond Dekker's reggae classic, "You Can Get It If You Really Want". The record remains a staple of the band's late-90s era, later earning special vinyl reissues of its accompanying promotional live tour.

Stiff Little Fingers - Now Then

Now Then... is the fourth studio album by Northern Irish punk rock pioneers Stiff Little Fingers, released in 1982 via Chrysalis Records. Marking a significant sonic departure from their raw, aggressive roots, the album embraces a more polished, mainstream power-pop sound that famously introduces horn sections and complex arrangements. It was the first record to feature former The Professionals drummer Dolphin Taylor, and frontman Jake Burns considered it the band's finest musical achievement at the time. The album contains standout tracks like "Bits of Kids," "Talkback," and a notable cover of "Love of the Common People."

Despite the band's creative pride in the material, the dramatic shift toward commercial pop-rock alienated their core hardcore punk fanbase. This division led to disappointing commercial sales and mounting internal tensions, which ultimately triggered the band's initial breakup in 1983. Over time, however, Now Then... has undergone a critical reappraisal. Modern listeners and collectors now celebrate the record as a hidden gem of the post-punk era, praised for its sharp songwriting, mature melodies, and willingness to challenge genre boundaries.

Stiff Little Fingers - Go For It

Go For It is the third studio album by Northern Irish punk pioneers Stiff Little Fingers, released in April 1981 through Chrysalis Records. The album marked a major sonic evolution for the band, stepping away from the raw, aggressive political punk of their earlier work toward a more accessible and varied new wave sound. This musical shift included the integration of reggae and ska influences, notable on their cover of Bunny Wailer’s "Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae," and even featured a horn section on several tracks. While the lyrics—co-written with manager Gordon Ogilvie—still reflected life in Belfast, they pivoted from overt political statements to more personal, introspective themes.

The album achieved commercial success, reaching number 14 on the UK Albums Chart, powered by the popular singles "Just Fade Away" and "Silver Lining." Its high-energy instrumental title track, "Go For It," became legendary among fans as the band's permanent live opening theme. Notably, the record represents a major milestone in the group's history, serving as the final studio album to feature the original classic line-up before drummer Jim Reilly departed shortly after its release.

Stiff Little Fingers - HANX!

HANX! is the definitive live album by the Northern Irish punk rock band Stiff Little Fingers, captured during their commercial peak in 1980. Recorded over two nights at the Rainbow Theatre in London and the Friars in Aylesbury, the album serves as a high-octane document of the band's ferocious stage presence. It consists primarily of tracks from their first two critically acclaimed studio albums, Inflammable Material and Nobody's Heroes. By stripping away the studio polish, the release highlights the band's signature combination of driving rhythms, gritty vocals, and sharp melodic hooks.

The album holds significant historical weight as a raw snapshot of the late-1970s and early-1980s punk movement. It translates the intense socio-political tensions of their native Belfast directly onto the stage through anthems like "Alternative Ulster" and "Wasted Life". Upon its release in September 1980, the record resonated strongly with fans, peaking at number 9 on the UK Albums Chart. Today, HANX! is widely celebrated by critics and musicians alike as one of the quintessential live punk albums of all time.

Stiff Little Fingers - Gotta Gettaway 12''EP

The Stiff Little Fingers - Gotta Gettaway 12" EP is a rare, highly collectible vinyl record released exclusively in France by Celluloid Records in 1980. While the title track originally debuted as a 1979 UK 7" single on Rough Trade and later appeared on the band's landmark sophomore album Nobody's Heroes, this specific six-track compilation EP serves as a definitive showcase of the Northern Irish punk icons' early era. It bundles the tracks from three of their most legendary, politically charged early singles—"Suspect Device", "Alternative Ulster", and "Gotta Gettaway"—alongside their respective B-sides ("Wasted Life", "Bloody Sunday", and "78 Revolutions Per Minute"), making it an essential, high-density artifact for punk collectors.

Stiff Little Fingers - Back To Front 7''

"Back to Front" is a 1980 punk rock single by the Northern Irish band Stiff Little Fingers, released as a 7" vinyl on Chrysalis Records. Written by frontman Jake Burns and Gordon Ogilvie, the fast-paced track showcases the band's signature raw energy and biting social commentary. The record features the B-side "Mr. Fire Coal-Man" and is highly recognizable by its unique, vertically oriented picture sleeve. Today, original UK pressings remain popular collectors' items, typically trading in excellent condition for around £8 to £13 on secondary vinyl markets.

Stiff Little Fingers - Nobody's Heroes

Nobody's Heroes is the seminal second studio album by the Northern Irish punk rock band Stiff Little Fingers, released on 7 March 1980 through Chrysalis Records. Building upon the ferocious energy of their 1979 debut, Inflammable Material, this record saw frontman Jake Burns and lyricist Gordon Ogilvie expand their thematic scope. While still deeply rooted in the social realities of Belfast, the lyrics moved beyond the immediate violence of the Troubles to deliver sharp critiques of mainstream media manipulation, blind nationalism, and the dangerous idolisation of political and military figures.

Musically, the album marked a significant evolution for the band, serving as the recording debut for drummer Jim Reilly, whose tight percussion revitalised their rhythm section. The tracklist features definitive punk anthems like "At the Edge" and "Tin Soldiers," alongside a growing sonic diversity that embraced reggae and dub influences. This stylistic shift is most evident on the instrumental track "Bloody Dub" and their spirited cover of The Specials' "Doesn't Make It All Right," cementing the album's legacy as a dynamic and enduring classic of the post-punk era.

Stiff Little Fingers - Nobody's Hero 7''

"Nobody's Hero" is a landmark 1980 punk rock single by the Northern Irish band Stiff Little Fingers, released as a double A-side with "Tin Soldiers" through Chrysalis Records. Serving as the title track for their second studio album, the song reached number 36 on the UK Singles Chart and delivers a fierce, anthemic critique of media manipulation and conformity. Today, the 7" vinyl release is highly sought after by collectors, who actively track down its distinct blue and silver injection-moulded label variations and rare international picture sleeves.

Stiff Little Fingers - At The Edge 7''

Released in 1980 on Chrysalis Records, "At The Edge" is a definitive 7" punk rock single by Belfast's Stiff Little Fingers that served as the lead track for their second studio album, Nobody's Heroes. The record reached number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and is highly collectible today, featuring a studio A-side backed by two live covers on the B-side—"Running Bear" and "White Christmas"—recorded during their autumn 1979 tour. Original UK first pressings are easily identified by their matte card picture sleeve and distinct blue injection-moulded labels, while rare Dutch pressings feature alternative sleeve artwork that commands a premium from vinyl collectors.

Stiff Little Fingers - Peel Session 12''EP

The Stiff Little Fingers Peel Session 12'' EP is a definitive piece of Northern Irish punk history, released by Strange Fruit Records in September 1986. The four-track vinyl captures the raw, blistering energy of the band's first BBC Radio 1 session recorded for legendary DJ John Peel on 12 September 1978. Featuring the original line-up of Jake Burns, Henry Cluney, Ali McMordie, and Brian Faloon, the EP delivers stripped-back, urgent studio performances of their foundational anthems "Suspect Device," "Barbed Wire Love," and "Law and Order," alongside their iconic reggae-punk cover of Bob Marley's "Johnny Was."

Stiff Little Fingers - Straw Dogs 7''

Released in September 1979 on Chrysalis Records, "Straw Dogs" is the hard-hitting forth single by Northern Irish punk rock pioneers Stiff Little Fingers. Written by frontman Jake Burns, the track showcases the band's signature blend of aggressive guitar riffs, gravelly vocals, and politically charged lyricism. The original UK 7-inch pressing (catalogue number CHS 2368) features the fan-favourite B-side "You Can't Say Crap On The Radio" and is highly sought after by vinyl collectors, particularly those copies complete with the original paper picture sleeve and injection-moulded labels.

Stiff Little Fingers - Gotta Gettaway 7''

Released on 27 April 1979 on the Rough Trade label (RT015), "Gotta Gettaway" is the definitive third single by Northern Irish punk rock pioneers Stiff Little Fingers. Backed by the blistering B-side "Bloody Sunday", the 7-inch vinyl record features raw, politically charged energy that captures the band's signature Belfast sound during the height of the Troubles. Original UK pressings are highly prized by collectors for their distinctive matte flipback picture sleeves with rear thumbcuts, as well as a unique manufacturing quirk where the black vinyl appears translucent brown when held up to strong light.

Stiff Little Fingers - Inflammable Material

Inflammable Material is the seminal debut studio album by the Northern Irish punk rock band Stiff Little Fingers, released on 2 February 1979 through Rough Trade Records. Recorded during the height of The Troubles, the album delivers a fierce, volatile portrait of daily life, sectarian violence, and political unrest in Belfast. It holds a historic place in music history as the first album released on an independent record label to enter the UK Top 20, reaching number 14 and paving the way for the growth of independent music distribution across the United Kingdom. Driven by frontman Jake Burns's distinctively gravelly vocals and blistering guitar work, the record rejects the abstract nihilism of the London punk scene in favour of raw, urgent realism.

The album is widely celebrated as a masterclass in politically conscious punk rock, anchored by iconic anthems like "Suspect Device" and "Alternative Ulster." These tracks directly challenged the political forces exploiting Northern Ireland's conflict and urged the youth to carve out their own non-sectarian cultural spaces. Beyond its original political punk tracks, the record features a legendary, eight-minute reggae-to-punk reimagining of Bob Marley's "Johnny Was." By documenting the harsh realities of their immediate environment with intense honesty, Stiff Little Fingers created an enduring masterpiece that continues to influence alternative and punk rock artists worldwide.

Stiff Little Fingers - Alternative Ulster 7''

"Alternative Ulster" is the explosive 1978 second single by Belfast punk rock band Stiff Little Fingers, widely regarded as one of the definitive anthems of the first-wave punk era. Originally released on their independent Rigid Digits label, the song directly confronts the boredom, frustration, and political tension felt by youth living through the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Driven by Jake Burns' raw, gritty vocals and a ferocious, driving guitar riff, it urges the younger generation to create their own cultural and social alternatives rather than succumb to sectarian division. The 7" vinyl release remains a highly collectible piece of punk history, famous for its striking political cover art and a notable initial misprint that swapped the tracking order on the sleeve.

Stiff Little Fingers - Suspect Device 7'' (2nd Edition)

Released in 1978 on the band's independent Rigid Digits label (catalogue number SRD-1), the second edition of Stiff Little Fingers' debut 7" single, "Suspect Device," transitioned the iconic punk track from the ultra-rare hand-stamped first pressing to a formal commercial run. Featuring "Wasted Life" on the B-side, this highly collectible repress is famously distinguished by its solid-centre design and three distinct paper label colour variations: cream, red, and yellow. Today, it remains a highly sought-after piece of early Northern Irish punk history, typically trading among vinyl collectors for anywhere between £30 and £70+ depending on the specific label variant and sleeve condition.