The Jam



The Jam were a British Punk Rock band from The Seventies and early Eighties who spearheaded the "mod revival" movement.

Throughout its career (except for a short period in the beginning), its lineup was as follows:
 * Paul Weller - vocals, guitar
 * Bruce Foxton - bass, backing vocals
 * Rick Buckler - drums

While sharing the sociopolitical outrage and fast tempos of their contemporaries such as the Sex Pistols and The Clash, The Jam distinguished themselves by their love for The Sixties mod scene - whereas other punksters wore ripped clothes and played amateurishly, The Jam wore neatly tailored suits in imitation of The Who and drew on a wide variety of influences such as Soul and R&B, The Who, Power Pop, Psychedelic Rock, Pop Punk, Post Punk and New Wave. Their songs were distinguished by their accessible, poppy hooks and Weller's highly-acclaimed lyrics, whose sociopolitical criticism and distinct "Englishness" drew comparisons to Ray Davies.

In 2007, Foxton and Buckler re-united as "From The Jam", with Russell Hastings and David Moore, playing Jam songs. Foxton also played with Weller on the latter's 2010 album "Wake Up The Nation". However, Paul Weller has ruled out a full re-union in the strongest possible terms.

Discography:

 * In the City (1977)
 * This Is the Modern World (1977)
 * All Mod Cons (1978)
 * Setting Sons (1979)
 * Sound Affects (1980)
 * The Gift (1982)

Notable songs:

 * In the City
 * All Around the World
 * A Bomb in Wardour Street
 * Down in the Tube Station at Midnight
 * The Eton Rifles
 * Going Underground
 * Start!
 * That's Entertainment
 * Town Called Malice
 * Just Who Is the 5 O'Clock Hero?
 * The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)

Tropes:

 * Breakup Breakout: Paul Weller, who subsequently started the Style Council with Mick Talbot before becoming a successful and highly influential solo performer concurrently with the Britpop era.
 * Cool Shades
 * Cover Version: "Slow Down" by Larry Williams, the Batman theme, "In the Midnight Hour" by Wilson Pickett, "David Watts" by The Kinks, "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas, "So Sad About Us" and "Disguises" by The Who.
 * Fan Nickname: Weller's influence on Britpop through his work in the Jam, the Style Council and his solo work have earned him the nickname "the Modfather".
 * Genre Shift: While they didn't completely abandon their Power Pop and Punk Rock styles, later albums reflect Weller's increasing interest in American soul music (the main style he would pursue in the Style Council).
 * Punny Name: Sound Affects and Setting Sons.
 * Rock Trio
 * Sharp-Dressed Man
 * Suspiciously Similar Substitute: The bassline and beat of "Start!" are lifted straight out of "Taxman" by The Beatles.
 * Three Chords and the Truth