Stiff Little Fingers

Original 70s punks from Belfast still fronted by the iconic Jake Burns - and fave band of former England defender Stuart Pearce. Unlike many of the genre, SLF's music combines 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.

Formed in '76, Durham band Penetration make uncompromising, aggressive punk. Splitting in 1980, they reformed in 2001 and have been playing periodically ever since. The band have undergone a few member changes over the years, with the current line-up being Robert Blamire, John Maher (ex-Buzzcocks), Paul Harvey and Steve Wallace. As always, they remain fronted by the powerful vocals of Pauline Murray, a singer who has drawn inevitable comparisons with Patti Smith and Siouxsie Sioux.