Please give a brief history of the band, including current line up.
Jake: SLF formed in Belfast in 1977 taking the name from
a track on the first Vibrators' album. We released our first single: "Suspect
Device" on St. Patrick's Day 1978 and toured the U.K. for the first time
(as guests of the Tom Robinson Band) in September. A second single "Alternative
Ulster" and an album "Inflammable Material" followed and the band signed
to Chrysalis Records in 1979. Three more studio albums and a live album later
the band broke-up. Re-forming in 1987 for a short series of concerts, the
demand was so huge we were persuaded to remain together. Since then the band
has recorded a further four studio albums, the most recent being: "Hope St." (EMI)
in 1999. The line-up of the band today is: Jake Burns: guitar & voice, the
only remaining original member, Bruce Foxton: bass & voice (ex. of The Jam),
Ian McCallum: guitar & voice the only Scotsman born in England ! & Steve
Grantley: drums & voice (ex of Jake Burns & the Big Wheel, Julian Lennon
and a load of other bands!!)
Discography.
Albums worth bothering with:
Inflammable Material (Rough Trade 1979)
Nobody's Heroes (Chrysalis 1980)
Hanx ! (Chrysalis 1980)
Go For It (Chrysalis 1981)
Now, Then... (Chrysalis 1982)
All the Best (Chrysalis 1983)
Flags & Emblems (Castle 1990)
Get a Life (Castle 1992)
Tinderbox (Abstract 1997)
And best of all...Hope St. (EMI 1999)
If someone reading this interview had not heard anything
by SLF (unlikely), how would you describe the band/music?
Jake: SLF are a modern rock band with punk sensibilities
and attitude. We are also, very loud
What is your favourite country to play in and why?
Jake: Different countries have different things to recommend
them. I've always enjoyed travelling and therefore every country has its
perks. I love the Americans' enthusiasm for life and I find that infectious.
Equally, and somewhat of an opposite, I really like the laid-back approach
of the Irish, Spanish and Italian people. I always loved playing in Sweden,
which we used to do a lot but since re-forming have never had the opportunity
to do. Also, our one trip so far to Japan was fantastic. However, if I have
to nominate one gig above all others, it will come as no surprise to people
that I would chose Glasgow. St. Patrick's Night at Barrowland has become
as much a tradition for me now as Christmas. It's always a joy to go the
city and the folk up there have always been incredibile in their support
of the band.
If you could take a vocalist, guitarist(s), bassist and drummer
from different bands to make your perfect band who would you choose (can
be deceased)?
Jake: It might sound corny to say that I'm perfectly happy
with the line-up we have but if I'm putting together a band to watch and
I'm allowed the realm of fantasy then: Keith Moon: drums, Steve Cropper:
guitar, Elvis Costello: vocals, Little Richard: piano, Clarence Clemons:
saxaphone & Nick Lowe: bass
What is your favourite compilation album SLF have appeared
on?
Jake: Never really thought of it. We've been on some really
strange ones.
What was the last band you have been to see and were they
any good?
Jake: The most recent band I saw was Mike Peters band
supporting Big Country. They were really good apart from the drummer, who
was total pants.
What is the favourite song (and what band is it by) of each
member of the band?
Jake: Don't know about the others but I'd probably opt
for an Elvis Costello song. "Shipbiulding" "Every Day I Write the Book" "Watching
the Detectives" something like that.
Plans, gigs and releases planned for 2000.
Jake: We have the traditional U.K. March tour starting
on 3rd in Morecambe. Then I believe we are playing in Belgium/Holland hopefully
in May. Beyond that we have to wait and see. I would hope to get to America
in some form or other (North or South) and possibly even Australia but nothing
has been decided yet.
Any final comments?
Jake: Just that I hope this forthcoming tour will be as
much fun as the "Hope St." tour was in March last year and I'm looking forward
to playing and meeting everyone again. Cheers, Jake.
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