"Inflammable Material" is an influential album by Stiff Little Fingers, a punk band from Northern Ireland. This album was released in 1979 as the group's debut, marking them as one of the key bands in the first wave of British punk.
"Stiff Little Fingers" was originally formed in 1977 with members Jake Burns, Henry Cluney, Gordon Blair, and Brian Faloon. Different political and social issues shaped the band's music found in the "Inflammable Material" album.
The title "Inflammable Material" indicates the band's confrontation with volatile subjects. The album mainly includes the band's commentary on their lived experiences during the Troubles, a period of violent sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland. They did not shy away from addressing controversial issues like police brutality, street violence, and wartime trauma, which they exhibited in the songs 'State of Emergency', 'Here We Are Nowhere', and 'Wasted Life', among others. In addition, they covered Bob Marley's "Johnny Was," giving it a 8-minute-long punk-reggae rendition in relation to the armed conflict.
"Inflammable Material" was a major commercial success, even without any promotion from radio or music television. It debuted at number 14 in the UK Albums Chart, becoming the first independent release to achieve this feat. This album introduced a raw, hard-edged sound which was adored by the fans and well-received critically, leaving behind a notable impact in the punk rock scene. The realness and powerful lyrical aspects of "Inflammable Material" continues to resonate till date, making it a milestone in the history of punk music.
