Hanx!, Stiff Little Fingers - Promo
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Stiff Little Fingers – Hanx!
Artist: Stiff Little Fingers
Title: Hanx!
Album Type: Live Album
Original Release Date: September 1980
Label: Chrysalis Records
Genre: Punk Rock / Northern Irish Punk
Background & Production Hanx! is the first live album by Belfast punk legends Stiff Little Fingers and is widely considered one of the greatest live punk documents of the era. Recorded during the band’s 1980 tour at Aylesbury Friars and the Rainbow Theatre in London, the album was released at the height of the band's popularity. The title is a phonetic play on "Thanks!", a nod to the band's appreciation for their loyal fanbase. Produced by Doug Bennett, the record captures the raw, blistering energy that defined their live sets, which many fans felt was sometimes smoothed over in their studio recordings.
Musical Composition & Performance The tracklist serves as a "best-of" the band’s early career, featuring high-velocity versions of songs from Inflammable Material and Nobody’s Heroes.
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Sonic Intensity: The album is defined by Jake Burns' signature raspy vocals and the "chainsaw" guitar interplay between Burns and Henry Cluney.
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Key Tracks: The live versions of "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device" on this record are often cited as the definitive versions of these songs, possessing a frantic urgency that became a rallying cry for the Northern Irish youth.
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The "Bloody Sunday" Cover: The album includes a powerful cover of Bob Marley’s "Johnny Was," transformed into an 8-minute punk-reggae epic that showcases the band's ability to blend social consciousness with heavy, rhythmic experimentation.
Legacy & Collector Notes Hanx! reached #9 on the UK Albums Chart, an impressive feat for a live punk record. For collectors, the album is a must-have because it captures the original lineup—Jake Burns, Henry Cluney, Ali McMordie, and Jim Reilly—at the peak of their powers before their initial 1983 split. It is highly valued for its "no-frills" production, which successfully translated the sweat and chaos of a 1980s punk gig onto vinyl.
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Keywords: Stiff Little Fingers, SLF, Hanx!, Live Punk, Jake Burns, Belfast Punk, Chrysalis Records, 1980 Vinyl, Alternative Ulster, UK Punk.
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Collection Ideas: Essential Live Albums, Punk Rock Classics, Northern Irish Music History, 1980 UK Hits.
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Related Artists: The Clash, The Ruts, Buzzcocks, The Undertones, The Damned.
MINT - sealed
NM - likely never played - almost perfect
VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play
VG - signs of wear, light scratches you can feel
GOOD - surface noise, visible groove wear
POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio
OIS - original inner sleeve
