Groove, Groove - To The Beat Of This Drum.

The album that introduced me to The Jam is now 30 years old and as I have had it on repeat all day it still brings the good.

The Gift: 30th Anniversary (The Gift and beyond…) is now available for preview on itunes.

Move, Move, We Got The Gift Of Life.

Paul Weller is currently on the cover of two magazines and the offices of Waist High are abuzz today!

NME is celebrating its 60th birthday this week with eight special edition covers and this month's MOJO honors 30 years since The Gift and the end of The Jam.

In the MOJO cover story John Harris "tells the tale in forensic detail, as Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler revisit that tumultuous time..."

Photos: NME and MOJO

Paul Weller Says He Hopes To Never Be "Skint" Enough To Re-Form The Jam.

 

Speaking with ShortList, Paul Weller said that some recently reformed bands have been motivated only by the mighty dollar, something he said he would never be tempted by, "Money talks, doesn't it? Simple as that." 

Responding to the news that the recently reformed Stone Roses would make upwards of £10 million from their reunion shows next summer, and an additional £1 million for each of their festival appearances, Weller said, "Hopefully I'll never be that skint, mate. I mean, I don't know the Roses that well, apart from Mani who's a good mate. There'll be a financial consideration, obviously, but I know from [Mani's] point of view that he's been mad to do it for years. He's actually really wanted to get back with his mates and he loved that band. But for Ian [Brown] and John [Squire], I don't know...I really don't think there's too much love lost there. We live in that age, though, don't we? It's either bands reforming, bands playing their classic album or tribute bands."

When asked if he would do a "classic album" gig, Weller's response was, "Nah. I'm going to go out and play a classic album next year, but it'll be my f*cking new one. Not one from 20 years ago."

53-year-old Paul Weller and wife Hannah Andrews are expecting twins next year, he has five other children from previous relationships.

Photo: NME

The Jam's Sound Affects To Be Reissued.

 

The Jam's fifth studio album has been given the reissue treatment and is set to be released on November 1; exactly 30 years after its original release. The two-disc Sound Affects Deluxe Edition is set to be available exclusively in the UK and will feature the original album in remastered form, 21 bonus tracks, a 24-page booklet of sleevenotes by John Harris of The Guardian, rare photos, and a brand new interview with Paul Weller. 

Of the 21 bonus tracks, eight are previously unreleased and include demos of "Start!" and "Pretty Green," alternate versions of "Set The House Ablaze" and "Monday," and a cover of the Kinks' "Waterloo Sunset." 

Sound Affects Deluxe Edition can be pre-ordered at amazon.co.uk.

Photo: amazon.co.uk

Bruce Foxton Reunites With Paul Weller.

 

Bruce Foxton has reunited with Paul Weller to play two songs on Weller’s new album Wake Up The Nation, "Fast Car Slow Traffic," and "She Speaks." 

This news is kind of a BIG DEAL because Foxton and Weller have not recorded together since a bitter 1982 falling out over The Jam related royalties. 

Jam drummer Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton formed From The Jam in 2007 without Weller, who at one time stated that he and his "children would have to be destitute and starving in the gutter" for him to front the band once again. 

Buckler left From The Jam in late 2009 and was replaced by Mark Brzezicki (Big Country), and according to From The Jam's Official Facebook Page, Brzezicki, Foxton, and vocalist Russell Hastings are preparing to head into the studio to record some new material. 

Paul Weller admits it took the deaths of his father John and Foxton's wife Pat to bring them together. Weller told MOJO magazine, "We'd both lost loved ones and without getting too spiritual that was the spur of it. I spoke to him...when his wife Pat was ill and that broke the ice... There was no big plan, it was easy, a laugh, and nice to see him and work together again. We just slipped back into it." 

Photo: Gighit 

Quote: contactmusic.com

Weller Says He Was Right To Split The Jam.

Paul Weller says he has no regrets about splitting up The Jam - and has repeated his distaste for the current reunion without him. The band split in 1982 at Weller's behest, but drummer Rick Buckler and bassist Bruce Foxton recently formed a new version of the group, From The Jam, with a different singer.

However, speaking to BBC 6Music's Music Week show, the original frontman says there is no going back for him.

"It was the right thing to do. It was an artistic decision, without sounding poncey. I didn't want to be in the same set up for the rest of my life. I like to change and move on," Weller explained.

"Do I miss it? No, not particularly. I quite like what today is. It was a lot of pressure, being that kind of spokesman for a generation. Whether it was my own fault for setting myself up or not, I don't know, but it was a lot of pressure for a young man. I certainly didn't miss that."

Weller added he would not be attending his old bandmates shows any time soon.

"I'm not mad about the idea, it's a bit cabaret to me," he explained. "I thought we were against all that."

In response, Jam drummer Rick Buckler said, "I don't understand the spleen-venting. It is totally out of the blue and I was shocked by it.

"In the Jam days, we were quite a unified force. We had to be. I don't know why he's got it in for me - we haven't spoken since 1983. You can understand my bemusement. The Jam was a band, it wasn't just Paul Weller."

Weller's first album in three years, 22 Dreams, will be released this summer. The first single, "Echoes Round the Sun," was co-written with Noel Gallagher.

Photo: BBC Radio via bbc.co.uk
Material: nme.com & independent.co.uk

Happy 25th Birthday The Gift.

Reaching #1 on the British charts in 1982, Waist High favorite The Gift was the final studio album by The Jam.

From their debut In the City in 1977, to The Gift in 1982, The Jam had 18 top 40 singles in the UK, including four number ones.

Not every critic's favorite, The Gift delivered "Precious," "Happy Together," "Carnation," the great "Town Called Malice," which entered the chart at number one, and the beautiful "Ghosts," which "looks at our own insecurities against a simple click beat and vocal with one of The Jams sweetest ever."

Conceived by a "thriving Weller as a new direction in pop, on The Gift he aspired to perfection, sometimes reaching his goal, sometimes hitting the post, but nearly always on target when it came to passion and integrity, and keen to capitalise on The Jam's status as Britains best loved band."

Quotes: terriano via cd.ciao.co.uk

You Better Recognize.

It was on this day in 1977 that The Jam released their first single "In The City," which peaked at #40 in the UK charts. They achieved 17 other Top 40 hits including four UK #1's.

You Better Recognize.

It was on this day in 1982 that The Jam were at #1 on the UK singles chart with "A Town Called Malice," and "Precious," their double A sided #1.

Formerly of The Jam. Currently of The Jam tribute band THE GIFT, named after their final album.

Photos: thejam.org & magazine.brighton.co.uk

All Mod Cons.

From Guardian News comes The 100 Greatest British Albums. Say hello to All Mods Cons coming in at # 56, "A great cure for homesickness: 13 songs stuffed with class hatred, petty violence, suburban frustration and a very English kind of romance."

500,000 Can Not Be Wrong.

The Jam is getting about a half a million hits a month.

"Bruce Watson and Mark Brzezicki spent nearly two decades in one of Scotland's finest rock bands BIG COUNTRY. Bruce Foxton was a founder member of first generation punk/new wave's legendary JAM. The Jam gave Big Country their first break on the British live circuit. Opening for them at Wembley Arena for six nights back in 1982, which were their final dates. With the break up of Big Country and then the passing of STUART ADAMSON in 2001, Bruce and Mark have been working with other acts, but had a yearn to be in a band that was part theirs as opposed to being paid session men."

When "Bruce was working with FISH and DEAD MEN WALKING recently, there was a lot of demand for Big Country songs. Bruce and Mark had met for the first time in awhile when recording the new Fish album and decided that it was time for them to make their own waves. Encouraged by Big Country manager Ian Grant, Bruce and Mark approached Big Country bass player Tony Butler but he was not available, as he has temporarily retired from live work."

Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Foxton "had a mutual wish to work with each other and nearly did in 2003 with Simon Townshend, so when it became known Tony wasn't available; it was obvious whom to call. When Mark called Bruce said, 'Count me in!'"

There is a business connection as well in that "Ian Grant was there at the outset of The Jam's career in that he gave them their initial gigs in London at The Nashville Rooms and Red Cow (both legendary venues of the pub rock/punk rock era). The musical combination of these three whets the appetite. Add to it former Big Country keyboard player JOSH PHILIPS with singer JJ GILMOUR formerly of THE SILENCERS and one can unashamedly drool over its musical potential."

The Casbah Club is:

Bruce Watson (Big Country)
Mark Brzezicki (Big Country)
Josh Phillips (Big Country)
Bruce Foxton (The Jam/SLF)
JJ Gilmour (The Silencers)

The Gift.

It was this week in 1982 that The Jam's The Gift went to #1 in the UK. About Waist High's favorite from the album, "Ghosts," allmusic.com called the song "Tender yet tense."

(Weller, P.)
Why are you frightened can't you see that it's you
That ain't no ghost it's a reflection of you
Why do you turn away an keep it out of sight

Oh don't live up to your given roles
There's more inside you that you won't show

But you keep it hidden just like everyone
You're scared to show you care it'll make you vulnerable
So you wear that ghost around you for disguise

But there's no need just cos it's all we've known
There's more inside you that you haven't shown

So keep on moving, moving, moving your feet
Keep on shuf-shuf-shuffling to this ghost dance beat
Just keep on walking down never ending streets

One day you'll walk right out of this life
And then you'll wonder why you didn't try

To spread some loving all around
Old fashioned causes like that still stand
Gotta rid this prejudice that ties you down

How do you feel at the end of the day
Just like you've waked over your own grave

So why are you frightened can't you see that it's you
At the moment there's nothing so there's nothing to lose
Lift up your lonely heart and walk right on through.