Inflammable Material

Lest we forget, Belfast’s Stiff Little Fingers were a pretty potent political statement as well as one intense rock ‘n’ roll band. Serrated and sawn-off classics like (“Sus-sus-sus-sus”) ‘Suspect Device’, ‘Alternative Ulster’, ‘State Of Emergency’ and ‘Wasted Life’ were two-fingered salutes to the balaclava mob who disapproved of punk’s ability to vault the sectarian divide (the band’s lyrics were penned by journalist-turned-managerial Svengali Gordon Ogilvie). They even had the balls to follow The Clash’s lead, remodelling Marley’s ‘Johnny Was’ with ragged guitars and whiteboy reggae rhythms. What a band – just ask Moby – and this is their classic.

No 24 in 2009, as voted for by over 200 Irish musicians. Down from No 10 in 2004.