Stiff Little Fingers

Live in London (2015)

NickNutter

I'm gonna start this review with some geography. Kentish Town is just a short walk from Camden Town, that place everyone around the world knows. And
though some people may not have heard of this lesser known sister of Camden, it has a lot to offer, and the Kentish Town Forum is right up there with some of the best venues in the whole of London. The only tragedy of this establishment is that the amazing pub, the Bull and Gate, which was next door to the venue, and was a champion of live music and excellent beer, has been taken over by a chain-gastro-pub-soulless-piece-of-shit. And that makes me sad.

Anyway, on we go in to the Forum. It's a great venue, it's the closest one could get to the old Astoria (for those who remember it) these days, which is great. I arrive, and I have to say, the place is a bit dead. Admittedly, I got there fairly early and I was hoping the crowd would pick up… I was not disappointed.

On March 26, 2015 The anticipation of Stiff Little Fingers' entrance on stage was electric. People poured in from the streets, bodies crammed in, and after a long wait, on the band walked on. No disrespect to the other members of this current lineup, but I guessed most of the crowd are here to see Jake Burns. This guy is an absolute hero to me, and probably most of the fans in the crowd on the 26th. The band started with the old school classics, “Nobody's Hero”, “At the Edge”, and “Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae”. The Forum was pumped. Burns' voice and distorted guitar ripped through the place like it's 1977 again.

After a quality new one, “Full Steam Backwards” from 2014's “No Going Back”, the Fingers first studio album in 11 years, and the tribute to Joe Strummer, “Strummerville” from 2006's “Guitar and Drum.” Now, I half to be selfish and talk about the next song on the setlist, a song that Jake Burns wrote at an incredibly low point of his life. From the new album, “My Dark Places” describes Jake's battle with depression. Before the band played the song, Jake stated what it's about, “If you're going through hell, talk about it”, “Appreciate your friends, family, but just talk”. As a man who has suffered with depression and mental health issues for a lot of my life, this meant a lot to me, and I have to admit it brought a tear to my eye during the performance.

The gig rolled on and the old favourites continue, with some new ones thrown in which receive a great reception. Jake's voice was superb, it has lost none of its passion. The man can still sing and play guitar better than most people half his age, and this is what separates Stiff Little Fingers from their contemporaries of the same era. Most punk bands from the 70's now seem to be a gimmick, which is fine, I've no problem with that, but Stiff Little Fingers are still musically and lyrically fantastic. Burns still holds the crowd in the palm of his hand, and he can back it up with pure talent, what more can I say.

The gig finished with the old favourites, “Fly the Flag”, “Tin Soldiers”, and “Suspect Device”. I wondered what will the encore will be…”Alternative Ulster”. Yes, it was predictable but who cares, it's still fuckin' awesome.