NU NEWS FEATURE - But I’m Different Now: From The Jam talk new album and ties with Weller.

But I’m Different Now: From The Jam talk new album and ties with Weller.

Article by Jimmy Bowman.

THE JAM were arguably the UK’s most successful band of the late 1970s and the early 1980s. Original band member Bruce Foxton’s new band From The Jam are more than just a ‘tribute’ act performing Jam hits, 2011 saw them perform a sell out UK tour alongside well received shows in Europe.

The end of The Jam was one of British music’s biggest splits in 1982 and led to strained relationships between former band mates. Finally 28 years later, 2010 saw Weller and Foxton play together as well as From The Jam’s first released single ‘Later Day’ generating a positive response towards new material. Despite the departure of drummer and original Jam member Rick Buckler in 2009 From The Jam have had continued success gaining a loyal fan base.

Following their Northampton date at the Roadmender Bruce Foxton talked about the upcoming album. “We’re doing it at Paul Weller’s studio. Hopefully it’ll get released sometime in late spring early summer.” The new single Later Day, sounded to many like a continuation of The Jam which to Foxton does not seem a bad thing “It’s just really what’s coming out, what comes natural to Russell, me and Mark. There’s no conscious effort although a lot of people have said it sounds like a continuation of what The Jam maybe would have done. If that is what people are hearing then maybe that’s not a bad thing you know. The Jam did very well and if it’s a continuation of that and the success that we had all those years ago then fantastic”. Foxton described the new material as “good melodic pop tunes”.

New tracks include titles ‘Glad I’ve found my tears’ and ‘No.6’ in which the Modfather himself features on. “I’m very excited about them because Paul (Weller) is playing on the track No.6. He’s playing various instruments piano, Hammond organ, what else did he have a go at… obviously guitar on some other tracks. He even played recorder and glockenspiel on a couple of tracks, he was brilliant.”

The passing of Weller’s father and Foxton’s long-term wife brought the two band mates together again. Since their 2010 Royal Albert Hall performance relationships between the former band mates has taken a turn for the better. “It’s great that we’re good mates again because we’re 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”.

As for the future, will we see a From The Jam and Weller collaboration live on 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 again with Paul 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. There’s a possibility at some point I suppose”. We live in hope, as after all, this is the modern world.

To read the full interview head over to realbowman.com

From The Jam's official website.