Perky Mod revivalists The Jam emerged from the south of England in 1977 and scored an incredible run of 18 UK chart hits – including the No 1s Going Underground, Start! and Town Called Malice – before self-combusting five years later.
They released six albums, at least one of which, 1978's All Mod Cons, has gone down in music history as a rock classic.
The Jam was the start of the frontman Paul Weller’s rise to stardom, which continued with The Style Council and then with a solo career during which the so-called “Modfather” has set the template for dignified, ageing music legends.
In 2007, 25 years after The Jam split – and a year after Weller told the BBC “me and my children would have to be destitute and starving in the gutter” to consider a reunion – the bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler announced they were reviving the band’s classic material with an outfit called From the Jam. New guy Russell Hastings was brought in on vocals and guitars.
Two years later Buckler quit, but Foxton – who, to be fair, sang lead vocals on several Jam songs – has kept the tribute act alive all by himself. We chatted to him ahead of his appearances in Abu Dhabi and Dubai this weekend.
If you got the chance to go back and redo anything from the old days, what decisions would you change?
I’d do the same all over again, apart from supporting Blue Öyster Cult in the States [in 1978].I noticed all the gig promo posters feature you doing the splits in the midst of a huge jump. Do you do that every night? I am suffering from permanent knee damage due to 35-plus years of doing that. I still have my moments, though.
Do you ever feel like your and Rick’s musical contribution to The Jam was overlooked in favour of Weller’s?
No. Real fans of the band know it was a three-way effort. Without Rick’s drumming or my bass playing we wouldn’t have enjoyed the success we had.
What is your relationship with Weller like today? When was the last time you spoke?
Absolutely fantastic. I spoke to Paul at the start of his current UK tour wishing him luck and he wished me the same ahead of my Australia tour, which we’re just coming back from.
Is it true you didn’t speak to him for 25 years following the break-up of The Jam? Why did you decide to break the deadlock by playing on his 2010 album, Wake Up the Nation?
To be honest, I can't remember how long it was, but it's all great now. Playing on Wake Up, and together at the Royal Albert Hall [in May 2010], were moments I'll cherish forever.
Did you ever meet The Kinks songwriter Ray Davies? Did he dig The Jam’s cover of David Watts, which you sang?
Yes, a nice guy. I didn’t ask him if he liked our version of that great song, but it didn’t do him any harm, though.
I hate to point it out, but you’ll be 60 later this year. How will you mark the date? And how long do you think you can keep this all up?
By looking forward. Who knows what’s around the corner? I’m in a very good place at the moment. Very happily married, with a lovely stepdaughter. I have my health and the band are going from strength to strength.
What do you make of the modern music scene?
Not much really.
From the Jam perform at The Music Room, Majestic Hotel Tower, Bur Dubai Thursday, March 19, and at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Abu Dhabi Friday, March 20. Tickets are Dh100 from platinumlist.ae
rgarratt@thenational.ae
