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| Two Thirds Of The Jam Will Tour The UK Together On 2nd May 2007 two thirds of the original line-up of The Jam will make history when they reform for their first official UK tour in 25 years under the moniker "From The Jam - Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler." The band will embark on a 20-date UK tour - their first live shows since the original Jam disbanded after they performed what was to be their final concert (Brighton, England, December 1982). Bruce and Rick's timely reunion also coincides with the band's 30th anniversary and release of their debut album In The City (originally released by Polydor Records on 29th April 1977). From their original signing to Polydor Records on March 19, 1977 to their sudden split during December 1982, The Jam sold over 14 million albums worldwide and chalked up 4 No.1 hit singles in the UK singles chart. The interest, cultural and musical impact and reverberations of this highly influential and legendary British band are still felt and cited by current bands today. The Jam were the first rock band to re-define a new generation of mod culture in the late seventies, not seen since the arrival of the The Who, The Kinks and The Small Faces. "The traditional thing in the music business is to record your album and then tour it, but for this tour we've decided to perform The Jam's greatest hits - Going Underground, Down in the Tube Station at Midnight, The Eton Rifles, Strange Town, Town Called Malice plus some of my own songs", says original Jam bass guitarist, vocalist and writer Bruce Foxton. "This tour is deliberately intimate and something of a warm-up to our own material which we'll launch later", adds Foxton. "The plan is for us to get close to the fans, have some fun and then follow up with a larger tour in the autumn." "I have stayed close to The Jam fans over the years, " says drummer Rick Buckler. "The songs mean so much to so many people. Fans have been demanding that we play live for years. Paul Weller has a fantastic solo career and is one of the UK's most talented songwriters. Paul is always welcome to join us for the reunion, but until then, we've got a tour and a new album to do!" In 2006 Foxton joined Buckler and session musicians Russell Hastings and David Moore on stage as a special guest in Guildford, Birmingham and Brighton. "The reaction from the fans was incredibly overwhelming", recalls Foxton. "I have reflected on the continual demand from the public for a full Jam reunion. Rick and I talked this over very carefully as The Jam means so much to everyone, including ourselves." "Times have changed since 1982", adds Foxton. "'We've all grown up and got our own lives' - as The Jam song Burning Sky goes! For all true Jam fans this is as good as it gets for now. I am really looking forward to playing those songs again with my great friend, Rick. It's been too long." The line-up includes Bruce Foxton (bass, vocals), Rick Buckler (drums), Russell Hastings (vocals, guitar) and Dave Moore (guitar, keyboards). The band will perform all The Jam's greatest hits and classic tracks from all their studio albums including - That's Entertainment, This Is The Modern World, The Gift, A Bomb On Wardour Street and a few surprises! Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler have penned new material and plan to release a new studio album in Autumn 2007. Universal Music UK is planning a major reissue campaign to coincide with The Jam's 30th anniversary. Bruce Foxton is a part of the English Rock and Roll establishment. A musician (born 1/9/1955 Woking, Surrey) who is most commonly recognised as the bass player in legendary bands The Jam and Stiff Little Fingers. In The Jam, he and drummer Rick Buckler were the driving force, power and rhythm section behind singer, guitarist, and songwriter Paul Weller. Bruces versatility is evident, taking lead vocals on "David Watts" (The Kinks) and "News Of The World", which was one from his catalogue of own compositions. Foxtons most notable work being "Smithers-Jones", done with bass/guitar/drums for the B-side of "When You're Young" and later reworked with strings for the Setting Sons LP. After The Jam split in '82, Foxton pursued a solo career. He had a hit with the single "Freak" and collaborated with other musicians, until he got the call from Stiff Little Fingers' Jake Burns, staying with with SLF for fifteen years, recording four albums, namely, Flags and Emblems, Get a Life, Tinderbox, and Guitar and Drum. In 1994, Rick and Bruce collaborated on Our Story, a biography of their eventful and cherished years in The Jam.Bruce toured with Bruce Watson, Mark Brzezicki (Big Country) and Simon Townshend (The Who) in 2006 as The Casbah Club supporting The Who in the U.K and Europe promoting their new album "Venustraphobia." Bruce is now touring again with his old soulmate, Rick Buckler. Rick Buckler (born Paul Richard Buckler, 6 December 1955, in Woking, Surrey, England), was the drummer and founding member of The Jam, a band forever live in Rock and Roll history, that reigned from 1977 until disbanding in 1982. The drums and bass guitar of Rick and Bruce were an integral part of The Jam's sound and success. The Jam split with Paul Weller choosing to leave the band in 1982. In 1983, Buckler joined 'Time UK', featuring himself, Jimmy Edwards and Ray Simone, both formally of 'MasterSwitch', as well as Danny Kustow from the Tom Robinson Band and Nick South of both the Yoko Ono Band and Steve Marriot's All Stars. Time UK sold nearly 60, 000 copies of their first single, "The Cabaret". Buckler was reunited with ex Jam bassist and Time UK's Jimmy Edwards as 'Sharp', who recorded some songs for the Unicorn record label. These rare recordings have subsequently been re-issued on a Time UK anthology. After Time UK's demise, Rick left the music business and indulged his passion in carpentry/cabinet making.This was well documented and publicised on Granada TV's "After They Were Famous." Russell Hastings (born 7th July 1965, Sussex England) has been working with Rick Buckler since November 2005. A musician/vocalist in his own right Russell has shocked audiences nationwide this year with his authentic and passionate interpretation in performance (vocals and guitar) of The Jam's back catalogue. Russell grew up on The Jam and this is evident in his attention to every detail, from the Rickenbacker to the Marshall 4x4 everything as it was and should be. Energy, pride, execution and dynamic delivery have created an anticipation for 2007 as he collaborates with Bruce and Rick on their reformation. David Moore (born 10th Sept 1963, Carlow, Eire) is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who will play guitar and keyboards for Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler 2007. Davids prior collaborations include work with musicians and live acts from the world of folk, to punk, rock and blues. Dave grew up with The Jam and cites Weller, Strummer and Pete Townshend as key influences. Daves flexibility and passion as a musician compliments the "trio dynamic" that was The Jam adding the "hammond" and second guitar creating a new "fuller and fresh" sound for 2007. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |