Stiff Little Fingers Interview

Hi, how are you?

Fine, thanks! Apart from getting over severe jet lag. (We've just returned from Australia. It's a bloody long way away!)

How would you personally describe the band?

That's always a difficult one for anyone in a band. It's better to have other people do it for you. Although, I tend to disagree with just about everyone's description !

How’d you come up with the name?

We took it from a song title on the first Vibrators album: "Pure Mania". We had our first gig booked and no name for the band. (We were going to call ourselves The Fast, but someone else already had that.)

If you were stranded on a desert island (and somehow had a music player available) what is the one album you'd want with you.

Again, difficult to limit it to just one. But, if I was pushed. Probably Elvis Costello's: "This Year's Model".

How has the punk scene changed since you first started? Is it better/worse or just the same?

It's a branch of the entertainment industry now. When we started, it was something fresh, exciting and (dammit) dangerous. Ever since record companies realised there was more to it than a "quick fix" to make money with (i.e.: after New Romanticism faded away and punk didn't) they invested heavily in pop-punk bands and brought the whole thing into the mainstream. Nothing wrong with that and good luck to the bands making a fortune, it's just not what it originally meant.

Do any of you have stiff little fingers and do you have any advice for people with stiff little fingers?

No arthritis yet. Although, I have just passed the 50 year old mark so I suppose it's on the way. Therefore, I wouldn't presume to give advice, but I may soon need some !!

Whats your favourite song to play live/favourite place to play live?

Songs change with each tour. Generally, either the most recent thing we've written or a revamped old song tend to be the favourites. On recent tours I've been really enjoying "Tin Soldiers", simply because Steve, the drummer, and I have been fucking about with the intro. "Strummerville" is also always a personal favourite.

You're prime minister for a day...what do you do?

Stop the stupid Iraq war. Immediately. Bring everyone home. (Oh, and since I'd have his phone number, call George W. and tell him what a wanker most of the world thinks he is.)

Plans, gigs and releases for the rest of 2005? (oops! I'm 3 years out of date!)

Ah! 2005, that was a good year. Can't remember exactly what we did then though. For the rest of this year, however, we've got some upcoming Irish shows in June, then Meltdown at the RFH. A couple of festival thingys in August. A full U.K. Tour in early October, followed by (hopefully) some shows in Italy. That's it. Oh, and more songwriting!

Cheers,

Jake Burns.