I just wanted to say that I've decided to listen to this song because I had a friend at my care centre. He died very recently of cancer, and he was a massive fan of this band. I miss him a lot and so to honour him, will be listening to this song.
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 😂.
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...
@williamsomerville-g2z probably saw you! Saw them Edinburgh one tour,Newcastle the next.Even went up to barrowlands at Glasgow for the first reunion gig.Great live! Surprised I'm not deaf,cos dam they were loud!.60 and still love them
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.
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.
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)
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
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 !!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 !
Stiff Little Fingers & the Inflammable material LP were immense. When John Peel played the first 6 tracks of Inflammable Material side A, straight off, on the radio one night in 1979....I was gripped, mesmerised, fecking well impressed....& I knew then, that I was living in one of the best times on the planet to be a teenager, an angry & ignorant teenager. Made a huge change to my life & helped me to find a freedom in life, when the way wasn't clear before. That album, along with Another Music in a Different Kitchen by the Buzzcocks, were..and are, two of the best & most important LP records of all time. A Life long, music lover, nothing much has happened to change that. Still angry, still free...at 63. Hanx.
@@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. 🙂
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.
@@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.
There's nothin' for us in Belfast The Pound's old and that's a pity Ok so there's the Trident in Bangor And then you walk back to the city We ain't got nothin' but they don't really care They don't even know, you know They just want money We can take it or leave it What we need Is an alternative Ulster Grab it and change it-it's yours! Get an alternative Ulster Ignore the bores and their laws Get an alternative Ulster Be an anti-security force Alter your native Ulster Alter your native land Take a look where you're livin' You got the Army on the street And the RUC dog of repression Is barkin' at your feet Is this the kind of place you wanna live? Is this where you wanna be? Is this the only life we're gonna have? What we need Is an alternative Ulster Grab it and change it-it's yours! Get an alternative Ulster Ignore the bores and their laws Get an alternative Ulster Be an anti-security force Alter your native Ulster Alter your native land And they say they're a part of you And that's not true, you know They say they've got control of you And that's a lie, you know They say you will never be free Free Free Alternative Ulster Alternative Ulster Alternative Ulster Alternative Ulster
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,
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 .
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
@@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
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
I just wanted to say that I've decided to listen to this song because I had a friend at my care centre. He died very recently of cancer, and he was a massive fan of this band. I miss him a lot and so to honour him, will be listening to this song.
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 😂.
The good ole days
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'm jealous of you, bud. They disbanded before I could see them. I did see the 'Mats and Dillinger Four though. You can probably tell where I'm from.
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...
Henry will still come and play live in my local pub. No pop stars good honest real music. check out henry cluney wheatsheaf Oxford!
@@davetommo4739 Sounds like he’s a decent bloke, if ever I’m down your way I will drop in for a pint or two 👍.
Saw them a couple of times in Edinburgh late 70's early 80's brilliant live band . Am now 72 and still alive and kicking.
@williamsomerville-g2z probably saw you! Saw them Edinburgh one tour,Newcastle the next.Even went up to barrowlands at Glasgow for the first reunion gig.Great live! Surprised I'm not deaf,cos dam they were loud!.60 and still love them
Im 50 amd Irish. These guys built bridges!
I’m 60 and English. I agree. (Ps my profile pic is me with my SLF tickets)
@@JulieWallis1963 I'm nearly 59 and from Hammersmith London and have seen SLF loads in the late 70s early 80s. Awesome band
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.
52 and English, totally agree with you comment
I’m 44 and Dutch. I have no strong feelings either way.
I'm 59 nearly 60 . One of the best bands ever ,
Went to see them when I was 19 I’m now 58 and still love it
Same here mate, saw them twice in '80 when I was just 15. Never been the same since 😊
A bit embarrassing when they still tour and come out with walking sticks though 😉
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.
Me in 2025 Ulster County NY:
"Wait, what's this"?
Better late never than never I guess.
I’m 49 next month and had never heard this until the Irish Rock Museum posted it on their instagram page, what a tune 🫶🙌☺️
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)
@splide16 weird when punks tell people what to do
I am 53 and these guys gave my life meaning
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
Birmingham isn’t that for Black Sabbath fans?
@@josejones7025
Idiot.
@@josejones7025
Idiot
@@josejones7025
Idiot
@@josejones7025 Idiot
Most important song of my youth.
Alternative Ulster.
1st seen them Middlesbrough Town 1981.
Brilliant band.
. .one of the most important first generation UK Punk bands, in my opinion
@@shruggzdastr8-facedclown 👍👍
Defenders of the colonialst monarchy.
First band I saw live. My big sister took me. I was 12. I was terrified. Now I think what a cool band to be my first live show
Or.....how cool was
your sister?
I was 15 in 1980, from Holland,played this every Day,still great.!
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 !!
Inflamable Material hit like a sledgehammer right in your face one of the greatest punk bands back in those times
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.
@@petemccarry2326 must have been drunk, at least he overpowered them with SLF´s music, good story, cheers.
Saw them in 2004 at the Metro , Chicago
in those times or any. I liked a lot of post-punk bands but there's no-one in the punk space that measured up to these guys if you ask me.
Never understood a word they've banged out over years ...Still love um....SLF
😂
Love it....I'll be 44 5 Nov and born 80...these lads are legends
I'm 62 now i saw these guys at Victoria hall Stoke-on-Trent years ago and I'm still listening 😅
Same here!
introduced to SLF when i was a junior leader in Colerne fantastic. Fantastic
A classic punk rock anthem that has stood the test of time. Still rocks after all these years. 😊
They sound great live
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.
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.
Hey, David, great, you're the age of my kids and listening to the bands we favoured at 1980 +/- . Keep on pogoing!
SoCal high school grad ‘81: the holy trinity = SLF, Gang of Four, The Jam…
You must have loved them glory holes at catholic school
Great song by a great band
saw them a few weeks back still rocking it ..
These guys speak louder than Ulster politicians .. it’s a pity the majority doesn’t listen
F**k the majority! The masses are asses and we are better and SUPERIOR!
Line them up and don't stop until there's nothing left.
I got to see them at CBGB in the early 2000’s. It was a dream come true kinda night.
Helped to me through my teens❤
🤘
Why?
Steady diet of this in the 80's. The best!!
Ouch! This hit my plexus, now and then!!! Pure energy!!!
I’m 71, they make me feel great about the future.
I'm 34, and they still give me hope.
I'm 59from Rome!! Stiff Little Fingers🔥✊
Que de bons souvenirs à réécouter les STF . On écoutait ça à fond , la grosse defonce ! super soirée avec les potes de lampaul en 1981 !!!!
This band and X-Ray Specs were on some random punk collection album I bought in the 90s. I keep going back to these two bands.
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.
Stiff Little Fingers still rock
2:20 Henry randomly shouts and Jake turns as if to say, "What the hell, don't throw me off!"
This is awesome
My favourite track from them
BIG TUNE ..OLD SCHOOL Going to get my cherry 18 eyelid DM BOOTS..LOVE IT
Crazy that I saw them at the Paradise in Boston Mass 21 years ago, which was 21 years since the first time they had played in the U.S
Perhaps the best band in the world, it´s really good at least. I get goosebumps just from hearing them, a real band.
I have many Irish friends and they all agree with me.....the greatest Irish band after Thin Lizzy :)
Better than Thin Lizzy
Totally agree my friend, l always love a band that has something to say. SLF says it all. Stay good my friend,🏴🇬🇬 closest flag I could find 🎸🐒🎇
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 !
They are a British band not Irish. Thin Lizzy only ever had one Irish member, the drummer.
@@george-ev1dq my bad , but also my pals' very bad :):)
Serious performance of a powerhouse tune. What a gig that must have been to both play and attend.
Stiff Little Fingers & the Inflammable material LP were immense.
When John Peel played the first 6 tracks of Inflammable Material side A, straight off, on the radio one night in 1979....I was gripped, mesmerised, fecking well impressed....& I knew then, that I was living in one of the best times on the planet to be a teenager, an angry & ignorant teenager.
Made a huge change to my life & helped me to find a freedom in life, when the way wasn't clear before.
That album, along with Another Music in a Different Kitchen by the Buzzcocks, were..and are, two of the best & most important LP records of all time.
A Life long, music lover, nothing much has happened to change that.
Still angry, still free...at 63.
Hanx.
Bless you son.😊
Bloody brilliant. Best gig I’ve been to.
The production on this is alarmingly good for a punk act from 1980.
I *think* it's recorded for German TV !
This band was huge in 1980
Sorry but that sounds like a zoomer take
German TV had very good broadcast sound engineers for these shows. In fact they may have used Conni Planks mobile? Anyone know?
@@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. 🙂
brilliant record brilliant band still going strong in october 24
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.
SLF from the F... good Irish rock
they are a UK band from Belfast, not Ireland.
@@george-ev1dqah stop you trouble maker=It's 2024 and stop trying to stir up stuff
@@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.
seen em 40 times , nothing left to say.
Saw them in Berlin around 1980, lots of trouble between Punks and british Soldiers. Great gig.
I would have loved to be in t that crowd. I may have gotten my nose broken, but it would have been worth it.
Have an original master copy of the Band recorded in Belfast by John Peel in 1978, it is on reel to reel and still plays perfectly.
If you can, you should upload that. I just discovered these guys.
Gillar hela listan. Till och med Carabao och Ganja fanns med.
Still have my 7" reel to reel recording of the SLF 1978 Peel sessions, a priced possession.
Happy Birthday Jim, hope you have a great day 😀
Still the greatest punk band ever
I'm 52 and won't bore you with who or what changed my life because it's irrelevant in a yt comment section, it's not like we are ever going to me. 🤣
There's nothin' for us in Belfast
The Pound's old and that's a pity
Ok so there's the Trident in Bangor
And then you walk back to the city
We ain't got nothin' but they don't really care
They don't even know, you know
They just want money
We can take it or leave it
What we need
Is an alternative Ulster
Grab it and change it-it's yours!
Get an alternative Ulster
Ignore the bores and their laws
Get an alternative Ulster
Be an anti-security force
Alter your native Ulster
Alter your native land
Take a look where you're livin'
You got the Army on the street
And the RUC dog of repression
Is barkin' at your feet
Is this the kind of place you wanna live?
Is this where you wanna be?
Is this the only life we're gonna have?
What we need
Is an alternative Ulster
Grab it and change it-it's yours!
Get an alternative Ulster
Ignore the bores and their laws
Get an alternative Ulster
Be an anti-security force
Alter your native Ulster
Alter your native land
And they say they're a part of you
And that's not true, you know
They say they've got control of you
And that's a lie, you know
They say you will never be free
Free
Free
Alternative Ulster
Alternative Ulster
Alternative Ulster
Alternative Ulster
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,
I was born in 1966 👌👌👌🎱🎱🎱🍺🍺🍺
Saw them in 79 with the specials at malvern winter Gardens great memories
best generation ever!
class
No los había escuchado pero leyendo el libro de Sinéad O'Connor esta en su lista de preferidas
My work inspired by this.
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 .
Fuckin magic
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
They’re too cute to be punks!
Ye have to live slf ...listen to all the albums ...the sad songs ..and the political aspect ...tell me now then is brilliant
Hanx!
Go get it now!
Hanx
Why didnt it start with that Famous riff ?
grab it take it its yours!
55 love it up the Dubs
Dubs?
John Peel's favorite record
Nope, that would be Teenage Kicks by the Undertones.
Wow the boys do the do so apropereate in this time😊
Love how the camera men can't seem to be able to focus on the bassist. The only time he was in a shot was when he walked into it.
Punk is dead, where still dying !!!
Best band in the world.fukin love em.bwfc.
not this bitch I'm still at it
Si está muerto dónde está la tumba??
@@juanpablomadero2050 no hay tumba. el rap lo incinero.
Where are you still dying?
😍
Listen to the lyrics!! Great tune regardless but the lyrics are 🔥🔥🔥
Gary Bryan!
SLF were great on the Rough Trade label but when they signed to Chrysalis they were never the same .
Beyond bridges....☘️🌈🇨🇮
Got to go to Bangor once or twice. Pubs in Belfast were better.
Haha, that look at the end when they got lost a bit
It's blasphemy that the intro is cut. Complete: ruclips.net/video/V5OyHIV1j5w/видео.html
It’s Greenday back in the 90’s really is t it
The only track that tops this is suspect device.
white noise for me
Waelchi Overpass
Anarchy on half shell. /sF
Hay bandas que por mucho que griten no dicen nada; esta es una de ellas.
¿Tal vez es porque tu no entiendes que dicen? El mensaje de SLF es muy profundo y una inspiración en esta canción.
@@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
"Alternative Ulster" couldnt be a better message when Northern Ireland was practically at civil war...
I was there and it wasnt pretty....
or maybe he cant read English (no habla) !!
The drummer is so swole
Well Sepultura is pretty good as well but SLF is more melodic.
punk
yeah bud, punk af
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