The Jam

The Jam was an early British punk rock band. The band drew upon many influences, including American soul, R&B and aspects of Modernism. Even into the 1990s their music proved to be highly influential, as it created the foundation for the success of britpop (Blur, Oasis), as well as being a major influence on Green Day. Though they acheived limited fame in North America, they rank as one of the most highly successful British groups of all time.

History

Formation (1975-1976)

The Jam formed out of Woking, Surrey, England in 1975. The original line-up consisted of guitarist and lead vocalist Paul Weller, guitarist Steve Brookes, drummer Rick Buckler, and bassist Bruce Foxton. Early in the band's career, Brookes left the band, and was not replaced. In the following two years, the Jam gained a small but loyal following around London from playing minor gigs.

Related Topics:
Woking - Surrey - England - 1975 - Paul Weller - Steve Brookes - Rick Buckler - Bruce Foxton - London

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Early recordings (1976-1978)

In 1977, the Jam was signed to Polydor Records and released their debut single, In the City, which broke the Top 40 in England. That May, the band released their debut album of the same name.

Related Topics:
1977 - Polydor Records - In the City - Same name

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The album, like those of the Clash and the Sex Pistols, was comprised mainly of straight punk rock - fast, loud, and to the point. However, what set them apart from their British contemporaries was that their music was not overtly political, in the same vein as Joe Strummer; though their track Time For Truth bemoaned the loss of the British Empire and expressed disparaging sentiments about 'Uncle Jimmy'. The band also announced that they intended voting

Related Topics:
The Clash - The Sex Pistols - Joe Strummer - British Empire - 'Uncle Jimmy'

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Conservative in the approaching general election, a statement which later caused them much embarrassment. By the same token, their music was not a mockery of British society as noted in the lyrics of John Lydon. Moreover, Weller was more interested in R&B music, as well as Mod culture, while the Clash drew upon reggae influences.

Related Topics:
Conservative - John Lydon - R&B - Mod - Reggae

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The Jam, having achieved a notable following in such a short time, was hard pressed to produce more material. As a result, their sophomore album, This Is the Modern World was criticized as such. The one notable exception to this was John Peel who played the complete album, uninterrupted, on one show. The album did spawn a few moderately successful singles, most notably the title track.

Related Topics:
This Is the Modern World - John Peel

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All Mod Cons (1978-1979)

Following the release of This Is the Modern World, the Jam spent most of the next two years touring. A number of failed U.S. tours and successful U.K. shows preceded the release of All Mod Cons, their critically and commercially successful third album.

Related Topics:
U.S. - U.K. - All Mod Cons

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Considered by many to be the band's masterpiece, the album exhibited the potential of Paul Weller as a great songwriter, particularly in fan favorites such as "To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time)," "'A' Bomb in Wardour Street," and "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight". The album also included a cover of the Kinks' "David Watts," one of their few songs with Bruce Foxton on lead vocals, marking Ray Davies' influence on the band.

Related Topics:
The Kinks - Ray Davies'

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Going Underground, and into the 80s (1979-1981)

November of 1979 brought about Setting Sons, another massive U.K. hit, and a minor chart position in the U.S. The album began life as a concept album about three childhood friends, though in the end many of the songs did not relate to this theme. By this time the band had adopted a left-of-centre political stance, their track 'The Eton Rifles' being inspired by scuffles between demonstrators on the TUC's Right To Work March and pupils from Eton College. It became a single and was the first of the Jam's to crack the U.K. Top Ten.

Related Topics:
1979 - Setting Sons - Concept album - TUC's - Eton College

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Another notable song from the album was Bruce Foxton's "Smithers-Jones," originally a b-side to one of their earlier singles. The song is almost unanimously considered to be his greatest contribution to the Jam; the song was given a complete makeover, including a strings arrangment, for the album release.

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Early next year, the Jam's popularity would reach even greater heights upon the release of their first U.K. #1 hit, "Going Underground". Some sources dictate the single's success to be accidental, and that the song was originally planned as the b-side to "The Dreams of Children". This rumor remains unconfirmed.

Related Topics:
Going Underground - B-side

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1980 also introduced Sound Affects to the Jam's catalogue, a more straightforward release compared to the likes of Setting Sons. "That's Entertainment," allegedly written in ten minutes, peaked at #21 and became one of the Jam's most noted songs. "Start!" became another #1 single, with a bassline lifted straight from the Beatles' "Taxman".

Related Topics:
1980 - Sound Affects - That's Entertainment - Start! - The Beatles' - Taxman

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The Gift and dissolution (1981-present)

Though 1982's The Gift was another massive commercial success, some critics were not fully supportive of the Jam's new direction. A complete reworking of the band's sound produced several soul and R&B-stylized songs, most notably the #1 hit "Town Called Malice," with a bassline lifted indirectly from the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love". The band followed with yet another #1, "Beat Surrender." A number of live performances entailed The Gift, as well as the live album Dig the New Breed. Around the time of its release, the band broke up.

Related Topics:
1982's - The Gift - Town Called Malice - The Supremes - Dig the New Breed

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Weller, who felt he had done all he could with the Jam, formed the Style Council with Mick Talbot of The Merton Parkas. The band did not become nearly as popular as the Jam had been, but they did produce some U.K. Top 10 hits. He then went on to pursue a solo career; the albums from this period are said to be among the first britpop recordings; the "Modfather," as he had come to be known as, also played lead guitar on Oasis' "Champagne Supernova". In Britain, he is still regarded as one of the finest songwriters in recent history.

Related Topics:
The Style Council - Mick Talbot - The Merton Parkas - Britpop - Oasis

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Bruce Foxton released one solo album, which did not achieve much popularity. He then became the bassist for Stiff Little Fingers. Rick Buckler played for Time UK, and is now working as a furniture restorer. Together, they released a history of their experiences in the Jam, which harshly criticized Paul Weller - who, of course, achieved much greater fame than either of them ever did.

Related Topics:
Stiff Little Fingers - Time UK

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