Paul Who?

Though the above is probably one of the least flattering photos ever taken of me, my vanity has been trumped by the desire to share today's momentous meeting with two of my all-time musical heroes, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton from the Jam. Who are, in fact, currently touring the US as From The Jam; Paul Weller isn't involved (no great shock there), but with two gents from the mod revival band Maximum High pitching in, it's basically the closest thing fans will ever get to a real Jam show in this century.

I don't generally get starstruck with my interview subjects, but I was actually a wee bit nervous on this particular assignment — really, I was worried that any minute I might start gushing embarrasingly about how much those old Jam records meant to me, how they made me want to pick up a guitar, saved my life, etc. I absolutely worshipped the Jam in my high school mod days, memorizing every lyric and scanning every photo for potential sartorial tips; I even had two copies of the Setting Sons LP just in case one got damaged. (Ditto for Paolo Hewitt's book, The Jam: A Beat Concerto, which was more difficult to find in the States than a box of genuine Cuban cigars.) My college band Voodoo Sex Party — I know, not very mod sounding — covered "It's Too Bad" and "Strange Town" in our sets, and to this day I keep a hefty number of Jam songs in steady rotation on my iPod.

Thankfully, I managed to keep it together during our interview — and even better, Rick and Bruce turned out to be lovely, funny, humble guys who seem genuinely touched that people still care so much about the music they made back in the 70s and 80s. They're also clearly delighted to be playing the old songs again, and I'm incredibly stoked to see them play at the El Rey this Saturday. (Of course, should anything "happen" to Russell Hastings, From The Jam's frontman, I have a Rickenbacker and I'm not afraid to use it...)

Comments

[Michael]

Dude, I'm so happy (and envious) you got the opportunity to talk to Rick and Bruce -- evidence that this year is already looking better than '07. You neglected to mention where we can check out the interview, though.

[Dan E]

Alas, it won't be available online until April. But I will let you know when it runs...

[Laura]

Paul Weller isn't pulling out The Jam lately either. Definitely no surprise. Just what happened there?

I bet they are sounding great.

Voodoo Sex Party is an absolutely ridiculous band name.

[Dan E]

A friend of ours was once making illicit copies of a Voodoo Sex Party gig poster on the college admission dept's xerox machine, when an administrator snuck up on him and looked over his shoulder. "Will it be real voodoo?" asked the older gent. "Or is it just films?"