It’s fair to say that when the news dropped that Bruce Foxton, the bassist of iconic punk/mod group The Jam would be bringing his incredible live ‘From The Jam’ show with The Gift’s Russell Hastings lighting it up on vocals to Aussie shores, we exploded in exuberance.
Releasing only six studio records, The Jam left an unforgettable imprint on music and are still cited by countless bands as their core influence. Their blend of mod-lyrics and raw sonics gave the band both punk credibility as well as blinding chart success, a feat only really achieved by similar outfits like The Clash.
With the From The Jam 2015 national tour kicking-off this week, we decided to piece together a list of The Jam’s greatest tracks, creating a perfect playlist to get you super amped for the forthcoming musical brilliance that will shake Australia’s shores.
Selecting tunes from their modest-sized arsenal, we visit the most important tracks from The Jam’s career that cemented them a force to be reckoned with in the worlds of punk and mod rock, the tunes that earned them incredible chart success, as well as a few of Tone Deaf’s personal favourites outside the more commercial hits.
‘In The City’ – In The City (1977)
They say you’ll never forget your first love, and for fans of The Jam from the beginning, this would be the very first song that won their hearts.
The debut single from the band dropped back in ’77, experiencing modest success in the charts, many citing Weller’s lyrics of British youth akin to that of mod-rock originales, The Who.
‘That’s Entertainment’ – Sound Affects (1980)
Kind of an obvious one we know – but come on, this is as anthemic as the late ’70s early ’80s can get.
A bit of fun trivia, the “acoustic punk” track was said to be penned the track in just 10 minutes, Paul Weller on this, “I was in London by the time I wrote ‘That’s Entertainment’, writing it was easy in a sense because all those images were at hand, around me. I wrote it in 10 mins flat, whilst under the influence, I’d had a few but some songs just write themselves. It was easy to write, I drew on everything around me.”
Whattaya know?
‘English Rose’ – All Mod Cons! (1978)
One of The Jam’s softer efforts, the title and lyrics weren’t printed on the original vinyl release as the band attested that the lyrics didn’t mean a whole lot without the acoustic guitar and howling atmospheric winds behind them.
In saying that, ‘English Rose’ is a timeless classic and a welcomed change of pace from their more high-octane tunes.
‘Town Called Malice’ – The Gift (1982)
If you ever want to please a crowd, drop this song. From the moment Foxton’s bass begins to rumble and the screeching organ pipes in, it’s almost impossible to not get up off your ass have a boogie.
Believe it or not, this is the only track by The Jam to chart in the US. Crazy, right?
‘(Just Who Is) The 5 O’Clock Hero?’ – The Gift (1982)
The Jam mastered their story-telling abilities by their sixth and final studio LP The Gift, and the shining example of their prowess was this track.
The focal point of ‘(Just Who Is) The 5 O’Clock Hero?’ is about a factory worker on the daily grind, coming home and complaining about his miserable job.
It’s oh so English and oh so real, with brilliant lines “Too knackered to think so give me time to come round/Just gimme the living room beat to the TV sound” and “My hard earned dough goes in bills and the larder/And that Prince Philip tells us we gotta work harder!”
‘Going Underground’ – B-Side Dreams Of Children (1980)
“I’m going underground” was the more eloquent (and safer) way of saying “fuck authority” which if you listen to the band’s words, is exactly what this chart-topping hit is exclaiming.
‘Man In The Corner Shop’ – Sound Affects (1980)
A record that’s laden with some massive hits like ‘That’s Entertainment’ and ‘Start!’ we always felt that this was always wrongfully overlooked.
One again flexing their narrative muscles through song, Weller sings of two characters and the apex, the lucky man in the corner shop who apparently leads such a fulfilled life.
FROM THE JAM AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Thursday, 5th March 2015
Capitol, Perth
Tickets: Oztix | 1300 762 545
w/Custom Royal
Friday, 6th March 2015
Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Tickets: Prince Bandroom | 1300 762 545
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
Saturday, 7th March 2015
The Factory, Sydney
Tickets: The Factory
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
Sunday, 8th March 2015
The Depot On Beaumont, Newcastle (Acoustic Show)
Tickets: The Depot On Beaumont | Bigtix
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
Thursday, 12th March 2015
Port Macquarie Panthers
Tickets: On the Door | 6580 2300
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
Friday, 13th March 2015
Twin Towns, Tweed Heads
Tickets: Twin Towns | 1800 014 014
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
Saturday, 14th March 2015
New Globe Theatre, Brisbane, Qld – Limited Tickets Available
Tickets: Ticketbooth | 1300 762 344
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
Sunday, 15th March 2015 – NEW SHOW
New Globe Theatre, Brisbane, Qld – New Show
Tickets: New Globe Theatre | 136 100 | Ticketbooth | 1300 762 344
w/Sarah Mcleod And Mick Skelton
