Yeah. I spent a semester in college teaching theatre once a week to a very poor middle school in a bad neighborhood. One of the kids told a story about watching his brother shoot another kid who was bullying him right in the face. There were several similar stories.Marky Dread wrote: ↑12 Mar 2017, 8:21amI understand that punk was about getting real and dealing with issues that surround you. It was easy for the English bands to sing about anarchy and riots but SLF were in the real war zone. However I completely understand the stance The Undertones took also. When you are witnessing people being shot and blown up daily then you just might want some escapism.Low Down Low wrote: ↑12 Mar 2017, 5:52amI've said it before, I'd like the album to kick off with Alternative Ulster, its the bands mission statement and has that classic, unforgettable opening riff to boot. But all told, this is just a relatively minor caveat.
The debt to The Clash is unmistakable but I would heartily contend that no punk album, not s/t or even Bollocks, carries the sense of urgency and danger that Inflammable does. That was the record that shook me and my mates out of our lethargy and disinterest concerning the N.Ireland troubles. Easy now to forget the impact of writing songs like that in the war zone that was Belfast, what a radical thing it was - even for a punk band - to cross the political divide. Much easier to keep your head down and write about silly boys chasing girls and chocolate treats (not knocking the Undertones, that's just the reality).
Wouldn't mean much without the powerful, melodic tunes, of course, and Inflammable is packed with those too.
The class ended, up as a group, writing a play that was a romantic comedy taking place at a school dance.