Originally released as a single on 17 October 1978, the song later appeared on the band's 1979 debut studio album, Inflammable Material.

Jake Burns, the lead singer of Stiff Little Fingers, was asked to record "Suspect Device" for a Flexi disc to be included in a Northern Irish fanzine called Alternative Ulster.

[3] Working with Eddie and the Hot Rods manager Ed Hollis, the band cut a series of demos for "Alternative Ulster" at Island Studios in London in May 1978.

Shortly following the single release, Stiff Little Fingers went on tour, opening for the Tom Robinson Band, and working on their debut album, Inflammable Material.

[4][5] While the Undertones were accused of ignoring the events of The Troubles in their music, the overtly political lyrics of "Alternative Ulster" and "Suspect Device" drew criticism from the other side.