Still touring in support of their 2014 full length album “No Going Back,” legendary Irish punk rockers Stiff Little Fingers visited Ottawa recently to perform as part of a very special Vertigo Records anniversary celebration.
Aside from being there to see them own the stage live at the 27 Club, I also had a chance to speak briefly with longtime bassist Ali McMordie leading up to the event.
What struck me as special about this conversation, and about this band whose debut record dates back to 1977, is the tremendous gratitude they seem to feel for their cult-following of longtime supporters.
When asked what is the one message Ali wanted to leave a potential audience, as to why they might consider seeing Stiff Little Fingers live on this tour, he had no problem being both honest and self-deprecating.
“I don’t think any of us believed there would still be a large group of people who’d still pay to see us today, and we are very thankful that an old Irish punk band like us still means something to anyone. If there was one reason to come see a band like ours after forty years of making our brand of music, it would be that you never know if you’ll get the chance to do it again. We are getting old.”
When asked if and why he believed angst-ridden punk rock is still relevant today, he referenced not only the commonly referenced Donald Trump elitist conundrum, but also the recent election of a far right autocrat in Brazil. “Our music is still viable because the anger and the worry is still very real.”
As they stood on the small night club stage at the former Zaphod Beeblebrox location, it was obvious that this is not at all a band even close to past their prime. They were fun, energetic and raw. Sure, it might not be as pretty as it might have been in 1983, but I can assure you that they left the audience wanting more after every song.
A real highlight for me was their performance of The Specials’ classic “Doesn’t Make It Alright,” where they admitted to trying to release the song ahead of the band that crafted the song. Paying homage to their punk rock brethren, and educating their audience on the forefathers of their era, Stiff Little Fingers only showed their ages when they spoke of it.
Because make no mistake, the fire burns like it did when the songs were new.
Check them out on a tour date near you! https://www.slf.rocks/
