"The Jam"

The Jam" Documentary Review.

 The Jam" is a movie/documentary about the band who may just well be the most talented punk rock band. Formed in 1972 and consisting of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler, all three grew up in Surrey, England. 

 The band was not your typical punk band… Weller's father managed the band, they dressed in "Mod" clothing, respected the Union Flag and voted conservative. Anathema of bands like "The Clash" or "The Sex Pistols", the trio were a respectable lot. 

 Paul Weller, the bands song writer was a writing machine. He pumped out 18 consecutive top 40 singles. At one time, "The Jam" had six songs in the top 50 on the charts. Only "The Beatles" have accomplished that. They were the first punk band to play "The Top of The Pops" and they did it twice. 

 The album "The Gift" reached number 1 and when the group disbanded in 1982, their first 15 singles were re-released and all placed within the top 100.

 On Polydor Records, the band would sing mostly about growing up in the suburbs and what it was like to be young in the era in which they lived. The lyrics unlike many of the punk bands were not hateful or laced with cursing. Even their audience was much more well behaved than a normal punk band following. Listening to this band reminds me of "The Who". Not only by dress (in the Mod) but sound. Much of their riffs were right out of Pete Townsend's play book. The band would later credit Townsend and "The Who" for their influence.Weller and the rest were certainly more talented musically then most punk bands. As a trio, much like "Cream", it is difficult for three musicians to accomplish a rock sound. As such, the bands drummer needed to fill the riffs (much like Keith Moon had to when Townsend took the lead guitar role). Both the lead guitarist and bassist too had to fill the void of one less guitarist in the band. The fact that the three could chug it out was another example of why I think this band was the very best, most talented of all the punk bands. 

 Jam would not be without criticism, however. Even though Jam would credit The Sex Pistols along with The who, the Sex Pistols would take aim at them, as would The Clash. The Clash were very critical of Jam, they thought that they weren't punk enough being that where they came from. The clash felt that Jam was in it solely for the money. The fact was that there was no denying that "The Jam" were pure talent and had a huge following in the London, Germany music seen.With Rick Buckler on Drums, Bruce Foxton on Bass and Weller as Lead singer, the group was an anomaly on the Punk and New Wave seen; a true force to be reckoned with. The band was never contradictory, never wanted to make a splash in the wrong way, they just showed up and played, often in a suit and tie. They were all childhood friends and got along very well; no ego and no in fighting among the band members.It wasn't until Weller after a tour announced that he wanted to disband the group at which time the other two band members were shocked to hear this news. The three would soon never speak again. The three would never again achieve the same success that they had as "The Jam". They would all go on to do different things musically, apart from one another, but, the success of each wasn't even close to the adulation that the three once enjoyed as "The Jam"

Broadway Bob, The Jam, Punk Rock, New Wave, Top of The Pops, Apple, Sony, London, England, Paul Weller, The Sex Pistols, The Clash.