Henry Cluney at The Wheatsheaf, Oxford review – June 2016 [GiddyUp Music]

Henry Cluney GiddyUp Music at The Wheatsheaf Oxford

The Wheatsheaf – Oxford, England – Sunday June 19, 2016 review

Well, what can I say! Firstly I would like to thank all the musicians who performed and also thank everyone who came out to enjoy the eclectic mix of music played.

It was an early start on Sunday afternoon. We, Purple May, began at about 1.45pm. We played some of our original songs and a few covers, like “That’s Entertainment” (The Jam) and “Because The Night” (Bruce Springsteen/Patti Smith). We then cleared a space for Osprey, who we have down as one of the busiest musicians and promoters in Oxford. He played a varied set, I always love his take on the Johnny Cash song “Folsom Prison Blues”.

Continue reading “Henry Cluney at The Wheatsheaf, Oxford review – June 2016 [GiddyUp Music]”

Henry Cluney (ex-Stiff Little Fingers) @ The Wheatsheaf Oxford – 2pm – 19th June 2016

Henry Cluney ex-Stiff Little Fingers at The Wheatsheaf Oxford

GiddyUp Music Presents… in the downstairs bar @ The Wheatsheaf, Oxford – Sunday 19th June 2016: Henry Cluney (ex-Stiff Little Fingers) + local support by: Mad Larry + The Corsairs + Osprey + Purple May. THIS IS AN EARLY SHOW!!! 2PM START! Henry Cluney will be playing at about 3pm.

FREE SHOW ******** 2pm start: Purple May, Osprey and then Henry Cluney plays at about 3pm ********** the party continues after Henry Cluney’s set with The Corsairs and Mad Larry!

FACEBOOK EVENT LINK: Henry Cluney at The Wheatsheaf Oxford

Henry Cluney @ The Wheatsheaf Oxford (GiddyUp Music Presents)

Henry Cluney at The Wheatsheaf Oxford

GiddyUp Music Presents… Ex-Stiff Little Finger Henry Cluney – playing a solo set downstairs at The Wheatsheaf Oxford on Sunday 26th April 2015. Starts at 3pm. This is an early show…and it’s FREE!!! Come and sing along with Henry!

Continue reading “Henry Cluney @ The Wheatsheaf Oxford (GiddyUp Music Presents)”

Ex original Stiff Little Finger Henry Cluney, Purple May, more @ The Wheatsheaf, Oxford

Henry Cluney, Purple May The Wheatsheaf
GiddyUp Music Presents: an afternoon of FREE acoustic music on Sunday 22 June, 2014 downstairs at The Wheatsheaf, Oxford UK. 2:30pm-6pm.

Henry Cluney, Purple May The Wheatsheaf

Ex original Stiff Little Finger Henry Cluney, Purple May, more @ The Wheatsheaf, Oxford – 22 June 2014

GiddyUp Music Presents: an afternoon of FREE acoustic music on Sunday 22 June, 2014 downstairs at The Wheatsheaf, Oxford UK. 2:30pm-6pm.

The afternoon features sets by Ex original Stiff Little Finger Henry Cluney, Purple May, Andy Robbins and Mudslide Morris.

We’re *really* looking forward to this.

A great event featuring Henry Cluney!

The Wheatsheaf
129 High Street
Oxford, Oxfordshire
OX1 4DF

For more information, please go to:

Henry Cluney, Purple May, more Facebook event

Henry Cluney, Purple May, more dailyinfo event

Henry Cluney (Stiff Little Fingers) interview

Not many people out there in the world of music are probably familiar with the name Henry Cluney – but you may be aware of the punk band Stiff Little Fingers.

Henry Cluney

Henry was one of the founder members of this band and was playing rebel music in Northern Ireland in the late 70’s.

Not many people out there in the world of music are probably familiar with the name Henry Cluney – but you may be aware of the punk band Stiff Little Fingers.

Henry Cluney

Henry was one of the founder members of this band and was playing rebel music in Northern Ireland in the late 70’s.

With songs such as “Alternative Ulster” and “Suspect Device”, they were definitely sending out a strong message from the heart at that time. Johnny Rotten thought he was punk, but can you imagine playing punk music while bombs were going off down the road from you?

Anyway, Henry survived and is now playing solo and is writing his first album without Stiff Little Fingers.

So before Henry sets out on the road again, I persuaded him to answer a few questions that have been bugging me for a number of years.

Henry Cluney interview with Dave Tommo

Dave Tommo: How did you and the rest of the band meet?

Henry Cluney: Three of us went to the same school – Ali was a friend of a friend.

How much more subversive do you think it was playing punk music in Ireland as opposed England at the time?

Northern Ireland was a bit different – singing about what we did was seen as a bit ummmm…out there.

Who would you say is your biggest influence on the guitar?

Marc Bolan / Mick Ronson / Johnny Ramone.

I remember you wearing a really smart leopard skin jacket years ago. Have you still got it (and do you want it!!)?

Aaaaaagh–no!!!! Dunno where that thing is.

How did you feel about relocating to London when the band signed to Chrysalis?

I never did. Always lived in Belfast. Not really a problem as it was only an hour flight.

What was the best thing about being in SLF?

Playing and going places. Hate hearing people in bands complain about travelling – just think how lucky you are.

Can you tell us the story behind you leaving the band?

Didn’t leave. Was told to leave by the manager…

It is really great seeing you up there playing your songs solo Henry. What was it that made you decide to go for it again (excuse the cheese)?

Thanks. Agent put the idea in my head and after a bigggg lot of thinking I thought – go for it!

Are you planning to record any new material for your forthcoming tour?

Just finishing an album now – hope it works.

Have you seen the new SLF book and what are your views on it?

Not seen it yet–sounds good tho. Covers the REAL SLF.

Finally, are you able to tell us where you are playing on your next tour?

No dates yet. I’ll put them on my website.

Buy Music:

Stiff Little Fingers on amazon.co.uk

Stiff Little Fingers on amazon.com

Henry Cluney Official Website

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