I’m 61 and growing old disgracefully, I saw these guys play live many many times and they are not only an excellent band of musicians they also opened my eyes to what was happening in Northern Ireland and shamed me at the time as I was ignorant of the ‘troubles’. They informed us and brought us together like no other band and to this day still can put fire in my blood 🐸🇬🇧.
I’m “only” 54, and am that bit younger. Borrowed some mate’s older brother’s cassette. I used to put SLF on as a protest when Mum made me vacuum the stairs. After learning the words, I also came to understand The Troubles a little bit… and I would credit these and Paul Weller/Jam for creating the “political” teenager that I (Like so many in Thatchers 80’s) became. Before that it was Mum’s Beatles albums, and sister’s Roxy Music (fair play to her, it was Cherry Red/Scritti Politti, Billy Brag later on)
I played SLF over and over.....on vinyl 😮 I had friends serve in Belfast and even visited a few times through work....real eye opener.. I did experience some hatred in Dublin, made it clear they didn't like English. Hate then and even more today but the music lives on...
Great album. I saw them live, 1981, at The Old Waldorf, in San Francisco. There were moshers in the crowd, punching, kicking, and stage diving. Jake stopped the show, and threatened to quit the show, unless they ceased their aggression. They did.
Balls of steel to sing about paramilitary groups And live in Belfast. In the 70s Always had great respect for SLF. THAT'S PUNK. I COULD BE A SOLDIER. SLF WE SALUTE YOU. BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND
They are! I saw them the last time they toured in the U.S. where they mainly did West coast gigs, but I did meet Jake and he was a real cool guy. On this tour they didn`t have the OG bassist and instead had the old bassist from The Jam.
I remember going to my local record shop and buying this single....picture cover! Saw them twice at Malvern Winter Gardens in the late 70's. Great band, great times.
Saw them in the Mansion House in Dublin September 1980. I was 15 and terrified when the skins and punks were fighting before during and after the show. Remember seeing the Skids, Siouxsie and the Virgin Prunes around the same time. There was chaos at them all 😂.
Born 97 and Stiff Little fingers, Ramones and the Sex Pistols are a huge influence of our band. This may be one of the greatest songs ever written and played.
@@Tiochfaidh yep, 2024 and you lot are still going on about foreigners in your backwater country yet you lot are the biggest migrant group in all of Europe, stop trying to stir things up.
U2 ? The Boomtown Rats ? The Undertones ? Rory Gallagher ? Val Doonican ? James Galway ? Planxty ? The Nolan Sisters ? You pays your money - and you takes your choice. And I'm not even Irish - I'm English ! Top o' the mornin' to ye !
SLF are actually N. Irish if ya wanna get technical. SLF are awesome where u are from. Afrer all where u were born is pure coincidence and no-one is better because of where they were born.
About 15 years ago, a guy I knew told me these guys are Arseholes. He met them. He was from Dublin. Actually met them. But ya know.... I liked this band a lot when I was young(er?) ... Not exactly sure what to think nowadays. Love this song .
@@FellingPX Puede influir desde luego. Pero cuando digo que no tienen nada que decir me refiero a mensaje musical, claro. Los textos están muy bien y alcanzan su máxima expresión en la Literatura en cualquiera de sus categorías, pero musicalmente el grupo no me gusta. Quizá fui excesivamente maximalista y categórico en la expresión y pido disculpas si te sentiste ofendido. Ah! pero el grupo, a mí, sigue sin gustarme. Saludos.
Oh yes they have a very clear message in that song if you lived through the troubles in northern Ireland you would understand what they are saying ignorance is a terrible trait
That must have been amazing! So lucky! I grew up listening to bands that weren’t together anymore or before my time. I was born in ‘84. So a lot of my collection consists of a time before me! But this band in particular lives on in me, I’ve always connected to them.
I was turned on to SLF in high school by to this day is one of my best friends. I never quit following them till they were coming to Austin 80 miles from me fast forward 10’ from the stage they played everything didnt hold back one of the best if not the best shows these eyes and ears ever seen and heard! they absolutely destroyed it !!
@@billpugh58that must have been on Rockpalast, 1980 or 1989. But I can’t find reference material, nor mobiles back then. But never underestimate Germans and music and recording. 🙂
If you were never a Punk in your youth - you never would have heard it. Lots of Punks songs are like this - start with the Ramones (Live at the Rainbow 1977) - UK Subs, PIL, Killing Joke & The Skids (in to the Valley)
when I first SLF in 1978 I put them right up with the clash, above the pistols and they should have been huge, I did read about mismanagement and money going missing and that caused the band to implode, this song is so relevant today but for a new reason,
great band great song. I bought all their singles and albums back in the day. Inflammable Material is one of the all time great albums - similar to Berlin (Lou Reed) gave a depiction of a life at the time. Incredible.
Saw them again a few weeks ago here at home in Dublin, still a tight outfit and great sound - the buzz never ages and their message remains cos there is still strife in Northern Ireland to this day sadly, albeit on a much lower scale than back in the day - thankfully
