This is the modern world: Foxton on relations within The Jam
BUT I’M DIFFERENT NOW: BRUCE FOXTON AND THE JAM’S TROUBLED RELATIONSHIPS
BY JIMMY BOWMAN
THE END of The Jam was one of British music’s biggest splits in 1982, leading to the bitter end of relationships between former band mates Bruce Foxton and Paul Weller. Finally 28 years later the deadlock ceased as 2010 saw them reunited at the Royal Albert Hall. Pair this with Foxton’s From The Jam’s first release ‘Later Day’ provoking promising reactions from the public and you have one almighty comeback which poses the question, what comes next for Bruce Foxton?
Foxton’s journey here was not an easy one as emotions from the past still ran high between ex band mates. Once dominating the UK charts playing with The Jam, Foxton and former Jam drummer Rick Buckler formed From The Jam, a rejuvenated version of The Jam. This was the first time since the split that any of the original members had played together. Buckler’s mysterious and abrupt departure from the new band coincided alongside Foxton and Weller rekindling their relationship. Coincidence? Possibly. “I’d be grateful if he did point it out (why he left) but look it’s water under the bridge now and I’m continuing and he’s doing something new so good luck to him.”
The road to friendship wasn’t without its hardships. “I had a very emotional couple of years with my wife sadly passing away in 2009 and that obviously knocked me sideways. Russell (Hastings, From The Jam member) has been brilliant, well all my friends and family have been brilliant, you know as you do you rally round.” Foxton’s loss came the same year as the passing of Weller’s father and former Jam manager John Weller. What a catalyst they turned out to be.
“It’s great that we’re good mates again because we’re (From The Jam) in his studio and although it’s not Jam product it’s great to be working and hanging out with him you know, there’s a great vibe there.”
By now it was common knowledge that Weller had Foxton feature on his 2010 album ‘Wake Up The Nation’ but did anyone really ever expect the two to perform alongside each other ever again? The answer was no, the reality was that they did and in 2010 a select few had the privilege to watch Jam history in the making. “The Albert Hall, that was one of the highlights of my life I think. It was a very emotional and incredible few minutes, it whizzed by really considering all the worry and the stress and effort that went into it but you know, Paul is quite rightly so still very successful and being invited to play three tracks with him at the Albert Hall on his birthday was just amazing.”
“It was just an incredible night to see 5,000 people get up and give such an emotional roar and cheer and applause. It’s something I will never forget. I could have stayed up there all night.”
Perhaps it was the criticism regarding the trio’s stubbornness that spurred Foxton and Weller to make the performance possible. With the news that Weller is featuring on From The Jam’s forthcoming album it had to be asked whether or not the “Albert Hall” collaboration was the last we’ll ever see, or would Foxton play once again alongside Weller, this time on a From The Jam stage?
“Well you know good question, one I can’t answer. Who knows is the answer. Three or four years ago if someone had said to me Bruce you know you’ll be playing with Paul (Weller) again at the Albert Hall and recording with him on his album and on your album I’d have said that all sounds great but I can’t see it. So who knows, if it works out that way that would be amazing for him to come on and play those songs. There’s a possibility at some point I suppose.”
So where does that leave Foxton today? Despite not all members of The Jam appearing to be happy, the relationships are the best they have been since the split, and as for From The Jam and The Jam’s the music? “I mean it obviously has stood the test of time, 30 odd years, it’s incredible to be perfectly honest. I mean you know I just want an audience (laughs). There are a lot of younger people coming out and I suppose that’s either their parents were into The Jam originally and now their kids have grown up and got into it as well, also like we touched upon with Paul’s continued success young kids get into what Paul Weller is doing now and probably will say, well what has this guy done in the past? Then discovering that he was in The Jam and listening to Jam records thinking well that weren’t bad either. So yeah as I say as long as an audience is there that’s all that matters to us.”
“People want to hear good music played by good musicians and not manufactured. So like you, I’m relieved and pleased, it’s sad in a lot of ways but at least you know people have got taste and that you can’t beat good music.”
Links
From The Jam's official website.
BY JIMMY BOWMAN
THE END of The Jam was one of British music’s biggest splits in 1982, leading to the bitter end of relationships between former band mates Bruce Foxton and Paul Weller. Finally 28 years later the deadlock ceased as 2010 saw them reunited at the Royal Albert Hall. Pair this with Foxton’s From The Jam’s first release ‘Later Day’ provoking promising reactions from the public and you have one almighty comeback which poses the question, what comes next for Bruce Foxton?Foxton’s journey here was not an easy one as emotions from the past still ran high between ex band mates. Once dominating the UK charts playing with The Jam, Foxton and former Jam drummer Rick Buckler formed From The Jam, a rejuvenated version of The Jam. This was the first time since the split that any of the original members had played together. Buckler’s mysterious and abrupt departure from the new band coincided alongside Foxton and Weller rekindling their relationship. Coincidence? Possibly. “I’d be grateful if he did point it out (why he left) but look it’s water under the bridge now and I’m continuing and he’s doing something new so good luck to him.”
The road to friendship wasn’t without its hardships. “I had a very emotional couple of years with my wife sadly passing away in 2009 and that obviously knocked me sideways. Russell (Hastings, From The Jam member) has been brilliant, well all my friends and family have been brilliant, you know as you do you rally round.” Foxton’s loss came the same year as the passing of Weller’s father and former Jam manager John Weller. What a catalyst they turned out to be.
“It’s great that we’re good mates again because we’re (From The Jam) in his studio and although it’s not Jam product it’s great to be working and hanging out with him you know, there’s a great vibe there.”
By now it was common knowledge that Weller had Foxton feature on his 2010 album ‘Wake Up The Nation’ but did anyone really ever expect the two to perform alongside each other ever again? The answer was no, the reality was that they did and in 2010 a select few had the privilege to watch Jam history in the making. “The Albert Hall, that was one of the highlights of my life I think. It was a very emotional and incredible few minutes, it whizzed by really considering all the worry and the stress and effort that went into it but you know, Paul is quite rightly so still very successful and being invited to play three tracks with him at the Albert Hall on his birthday was just amazing.”
“It was just an incredible night to see 5,000 people get up and give such an emotional roar and cheer and applause. It’s something I will never forget. I could have stayed up there all night.”
Perhaps it was the criticism regarding the trio’s stubbornness that spurred Foxton and Weller to make the performance possible. With the news that Weller is featuring on From The Jam’s forthcoming album it had to be asked whether or not the “Albert Hall” collaboration was the last we’ll ever see, or would Foxton play once again alongside Weller, this time on a From The Jam stage?
“Well you know good question, one I can’t answer. Who knows is the answer. Three or four years ago if someone had said to me Bruce you know you’ll be playing with Paul (Weller) again at the Albert Hall and recording with him on his album and on your album I’d have said that all sounds great but I can’t see it. So who knows, if it works out that way that would be amazing for him to come on and play those songs. There’s a possibility at some point I suppose.”
So where does that leave Foxton today? Despite not all members of The Jam appearing to be happy, the relationships are the best they have been since the split, and as for From The Jam and The Jam’s the music? “I mean it obviously has stood the test of time, 30 odd years, it’s incredible to be perfectly honest. I mean you know I just want an audience (laughs). There are a lot of younger people coming out and I suppose that’s either their parents were into The Jam originally and now their kids have grown up and got into it as well, also like we touched upon with Paul’s continued success young kids get into what Paul Weller is doing now and probably will say, well what has this guy done in the past? Then discovering that he was in The Jam and listening to Jam records thinking well that weren’t bad either. So yeah as I say as long as an audience is there that’s all that matters to us.”
“People want to hear good music played by good musicians and not manufactured. So like you, I’m relieved and pleased, it’s sad in a lot of ways but at least you know people have got taste and that you can’t beat good music.”
Links
From The Jam's official website.
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