‘The army were on the streets – and we were bored’: Stiff Little Fingers on making Alternative Ulster

‘We quit our jobs – and ended up in limbo’ … Jake Burns, Jim Reilly, Ali McMordie and Henry Cluney in 1979. Photograph: Virginia Turbett/Redferns

Jake Burns, songwriter, vocals

I was approached by Gavin Martin, who ran a fanzine called Alternative Ulster. He wanted to put a flexi-disc on the cover and said: “Can we use Suspect Device?” That was going to be Still Little Fingers’ debut single so I told him he couldn’t have that, but I would write him a song.