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Stiff Little Fingers put their hands up for Integrated Education

Stiff Little Fingers have once again showed their support for Integrated Education in Northern Ireland, with a generous donation of memorabilia being auctioned on Ebay, with proceeds supporting the Integrated Education Fund (IEF).

March 1, 2023

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Stiff Little Fingers

Stiff Little Fingers formed in 1977 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Their first album, ‘Inflammable Material’, made the world aware of The Troubles and is generally considered to be one of the greatest punk albums of all time.

They wrote initially about their own lives, growing up at the height of the Troubles in Belfast, in songs like ‘Suspect Device’ and ‘Wasted Life’.  In November of 1977, they released those two songs on their own Rigid Digits label and sent a copy to BBC Radio One DJ John Peel, who started playing it every night.

These were the first songs of what became Stiff Little Fingers signature style: lyrics that meld the personal and political, music that combines the energy of punk with infectious hooks, and delivery that rings of honesty and commitment.  In 1979 they became the first band ever to hit the UK top 20 album charts on an independent label with their debut ‘Inflammable Material’.  The album chronicles the band’s anger and frustration at the Troubles in Northern Ireland and called on youth to create their own reality.

Stiff Little Fingers have continued to call for systemic and comprehensive change to ensure Northern Ireland has a better and brighter future for today’s young people.  One cause particularly close to their hearts is Integrated Education and they have become dedicated supporters of the IEF.

Ali McMordie developed contact with the IEF whenever he discovered his former school Cliftonville in North Belfast was becoming Integrated following a democratic ballot of parents. Ali commented:

“We are a mixed-background band and we understand the importance of educating children together.”

“When you’re young you tend to just absorb the social politics of peers and parents before you get to think for yourself but if you’re taught about people of other religions, race and persuasions then I think that’s a great thing,” added Ali.

In Spring 2023, dozens of items of rare Stiff Little Fingers memorabilia (from the personal collections of band members Ali McMordie and Jake Burns) are being auctioned on eBay to support the work of the IEF.  Items include an original Suspect Device 45 sleeve and the original 1977 Stiff Little Fingers gig poster hand drawn by Ali, to name only a few.

The IEF would like to thank Stiff Little Fingers for their ongoing commitment and support for Integrated Education, and all their devoted fans for their generosity.  The funds raised will help the IEF to work towards a Northern Ireland where children from different traditions learn and play together at the same school, helping to build a society where there is respect and celebration, not fear, of religious and cultural diversity.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the auction and raffle, you raised an amazing £5635.27!