The Damned, The Alarm, Henry Cluney review – LIVE at O2 Academy Oxford

The Damned

What is there to do on a Wednesday evening in Oxford? Watch TV? Go down to the pub? See the cricket? None of the above. Oh well, it’s raining in June again, constant pitter patter. But hey look! The Damned are in town and they’ve brought some friends with them …

The Damned

What is there to do on a Wednesday evening in Oxford? Watch TV? Go down to the pub? See the cricket?

None of the above.

Oh well, it’s raining in June again, constant pitter patter. But hey look! The Damned are in town and they’ve brought some friends with them.

We arrive at the Oxford Academy and aim for the box office, but as we are fumbling around for money I spot this grey haired Irish chap offering us two tickets he had bought from the internet. So we buy them off him for much cheaper than the venue’s price, and proceed into the building.

It turns out that he’s friends with the first act on tonight. A Mr. Henry Cluney no less. He of Stiff Little Fingers fame. To be honest I am only here because Henry is playing. His band influenced me about as much as The Clash did when I was younger. I still have every record this lot ever made, preserved in see-through plastic bags at home.

Continue reading “The Damned, The Alarm, Henry Cluney review – LIVE at O2 Academy Oxford”

Stiff Little Fingers – ‘Inflammable Material’ review + watch Johnny Was video

Stiff Little Fingers - Inflammable Material

If you’ve never had the pleasure of listening to an album where every track is brilliant, then you really need to hear ‘Inflammable Material’ by Stiff Little Fingers. You’ll find yourself singing along to and air guitaring to it. ‘Inflammable Material’ is an album well worth investing some time and money into …

Stiff Little Fingers - Inflammable Material

If you’ve never had the pleasure of listening to an album where every track is brilliant, then you really need to hear ‘Inflammable Material’ by Stiff Little Fingers. You’ll find yourself singing along to and air guitaring to it. ‘Inflammable Material’ is an album well worth investing some time and money into.

Recorded way back in 1978/79, this is and was Stiff Little Fingers greatest achievement. 30 years on and this band is still selling out average sized venues on the back of this album. The recording is raw and in your face. No over production here. Singer/frontman Jake Burns barks over the tunes like a rabid mongrel dog.

I had the pleasure of seeing this band live on a number of occasions when they were in their prime. Every song a belter. One time a few of us met them after a gig and they said they were going to the fun fair at Southsea the next day. So we met up and went on the fair rides with Jake, Ali, Henry and Jim. This band from Northern Ireland had one of the best sense of humors I’ve seen. What a great bunch of people and easily one of the best ever punk albums to be produced – you could put that album up there with anything The Ramones produced!

Here’s one track which will have you punching the walls of your caravan:

Watch “Johnny Was” video:

Now go buy the album and pay for Jake’s next beer!

Stiff Little Fingers on amazon.co.uk

Stiff Little Fingers on amazon.com

For more music, tour dates and information, go to:

Stiff Little Fingers Official Website

By: Dave Tommo