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Left to right: Bruce Foxton, Rick Buckler, Paul Weller

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.

Formation

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.

Early recordings

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.

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 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.

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.

All Mod Cons

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.

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.

Going Underground, and into the 80s

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 which was reflected in the lyrics of 'The Eton Rifles'. This track was 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.

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.

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.

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".

The Gift and dissolution

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.

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.

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.

Quotations

Two lovers kissing amongst the scream of midnight,
Two lovers missing the tranquillity of solitude.
Getting a cab and travelling on buses,
Reading the graffiti about slashed seat affairs:
That's entertainment.

- From "That's Entertainment" (1980)

Saturdays kids play one arm bandits,
They never win but that's not the point is it?

- From "Saturday's Kids" (1979)

I first felt a fist, and then a kick
I could now smell their breath
They smelt of pubs and Wormwood Scrubs
And too many right wing meetings

- From "Down in the Tube Station at Midnight" (1978)

The public gets what the public wants
But I want nothing this society’s got

- From "Going Underground" (1980)

Personnel

Paul Weller - lead vocals, guitar
Bruce Foxton - backing vocals, bass guitar
Rick Buckler - percussion

Discography

Albums

Notable songs

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 == Going Underground, and into the 80s ==
-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. The same month of its release, "The Eton Rifles" became a single, and the first of the Jam's to crack the U.K. Top Ten.
+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 which was reflected in the lyrics of 'The Eton Rifles'.  This track was inspired by scuffles between demonstrators on the [[TUC|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.
 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.