The Jam

Led by singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Weller, The Jam were a commercially successful and critically acclaimed British new wave band of the late 70s/early 80s. They had 18 consecutive singles in the Top 40 of the UK charts, and their 'mod' image led to a minor revival of the subcultural style.

The group formed in 1972 and underwent several stylistic changes before releasing their debut single and album, both titled In The City, in 1977. Both single and album were minor successes, with the band being a curiosity at the time for having clear influences from the 60s, such as The Who, The Beatles, soul and R&B. Second album This Is The Modern World was not well received however, and the band appeared to be on the decline.

However, third album All Mod Cons (1978) was a big success, and is now considered one of the best British albums of the era. 1979 saw their biggest hit single yet when "The Eton Rifles" got to No.3, and fourth album Setting Sons was another critical and commercial hit. In 1980, "Going Underground" became The Jam's first chart-topping single, and Sound Affects continued The Jam's hot streak of albums. It contained probably their best-known song, "That's Entertainment", and another No.1 hit: "Start!".

Their fifth album, The Gift, had a more obvious R&B sound and wasn't so like by reviewers, although it became their first album to chart at No.1 and included another No.1 hit single in "Town Called Malice". Another single reached the top of the charts - "Beat Surrender" - before the band split up.

Paul Weller went on to form the distinctly soul-influenced The Style Council, and then success as a solo artist. Bruce Foxton (guitar, bass) and Rick Buckler (drums) recently announced their intention to tour again, playing Jam material and new songs, but Weller has resisted the temptation to complete the reformation.