Scared Stiff

Scared Stiff were a psychobilly/rockabilly band from Ireland that were active mainly in the late 1980s and very early 1990s. They were part of the underground psychobilly scene, mixing classic rockabilly sounds with punk energy and a darker, rougher edge. Like a lot of bands in that scene, they never became mainstream, but they built a cult reputation among fans of the genre. 

The band formed after the breakup of another Irish psychobilly group called Shark Bait. Their sound fit right in with the European psychobilly movement at the time -fast, raw, and high-energy, with driving rhythms and a slightly gritty feel. They played both original material and covers, and their music leaned heavily into that stripped-down, no-frills style that psychobilly fans love. 

Their most well-known release is an album called 'Dark Streets', which came out in 1989. It’s basically their defining record and the main reason they’re still remembered today. One of the tracks on the album is also titled “Scared Stiff,” and the record has become something of a collector’s item over the years. If you’re into old-school psychobilly, it’s one of those albums people recommend digging up. 

The band didn’t last very long and faded out in the early ’90s. One interesting side note is that frontman Dave Finnegan later became much more widely known as an actor, especially for his role in "The Commitments". Because of that, Scared Stiff sometimes gets rediscovered by people who stumble across his music background. 

These days, Scared Stiff are mostly remembered as a cult band rather than a major name. Their music still pops up on streaming platforms and psychobilly websites, and every so often there’s talk online about reunions or renewed interest, but nothing major has really come of it. Still, for fans of old-school psychobilly, they’re a solid and underrated part of the scene.