The infamous northern irish punk rock band, Stiff Little Fingers, played at the madrilean venue Joy Eslava. The opening act was Delincuencia Sonora, an early 80s punk rock band from Madrid, who were kinda disappointing. Music-wise they are ok but the frontman does not have any kind of energy and his voice sounds too monotone.
At ten o'clock, the legendary band from Belfast came on stage. Their frontman/lead guitarrist, Jake Burns, had an accident after their previous show in Bilbao but that did not stop him of performing. Along with original bassist, Ali McMordie, the SLF rocked the stage with energy. Jake's voice is still sounding great and the music was tight and powerful.
They played classics like "At The Edge", "Suspect Device", "Barbed Wire Love", "Nobody's Heroes", "Tin Soldiers" and "Alternative Ulster". Also, two covers: "Johnny Was" by Bob Marley and "Doesn't Make It Alright" by The Specials. And some of the newer songs like "Liars Club" (dissing Bush and Blair) and "Guitar and Drum" (making fun of American Idol) proved that their politically-charged punk rock has not lost its edge. In "Strummerville" they paid homage to The Clash's leader, a band they have been compared to in the past. Their catchy pop hooks and energetic punk rock, that have influenced later generations of punks like Screeching Weasel, Blind Pigs or Rancid, is still relevant and fresh as in 1977.
Picture by MCJ Photography.
