The late ’70s British punk explosion gave the music world many great bands, but few have had the lasting impact of The Jam. Featuring frontman and songwriter Paul Weller, bassist Bruce Foxton and drummer Rick Buckler, the band was never truly a part of the punk scene of the time. Instead, influenced as much by ’60s mods as by the then-current punk trend, The Jam seemed to be the center of their own universe. In their suits, playing alcohol-fueled R&B covers alongside The Who “” and The Kinks “” inspired originals, they built a fervent fan base from the moment their first single, “In The City,” was released in April 1977.
With that release, the band set the template for hundreds of indie rock trios to follow, from The Question to Green Day. The group soon spearheaded a worldwide mod revival that has never quite subsided.
Those diehard followers helped the band score 18 Top 40 singles in their home country before they split in 1982, ending things with the number one single, “Beat Surrender.”
The Jam has continued to be chart perennials through countless reissues, but music fans have long held out hope that the band might one day reunite.
Unfortunately, Weller, who has a hugely successful solo act, has expressed no interest in getting the old group back together.
Buckler and Foxton, whose solo careers fizzled, had no such reservations. While The Jam without Weller is unthinkable, they have put together the next best thing, From the Jam, a quartet also featuring guitarists David Moore and Russell Hastings. The group performs at the House of Blues on Jan. 24.
While the majority of the material in the band’s show was penned and sung by Weller, From the Jam also includes Foxton’s material with the trio. His hits include “Smither-Jones” and “News of World.” The latter tune is also known from its stint as the theme to British TV show “Mock the Week.”
While Weller’s presence is sorely missed, fans of the group “” many too young to have seen the Jam “” have flocked to see Foxton and Buckler re-create their glory days.
For the band’s followers, the reason is obvious. Their music had a raw power that connected with the listener.
“The Jam were better and cooler than The Pistols, The Clash and The Specials put together,” opines actor Robbie Rist, best known for his role in the sitcom classic “The Brady Bunch” and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle films. Rist has led a parallel life as an influential musician and producer and is an original Jam fan.
He cites the song “Man in a Cornershop” in a list of favorites.
“I got The Jam album ‘Sound Affects’ by accident when I was in 11th or 12th grade,” he recalled. “I subsequently fell completely in love with it.”
He finds himself listening to those Jam records more than most others from that era.
“I’m not sure why, but they still feel fresh and new to me, unlike The Clash, who sound like they were just trying way too hard,” Rist said.
FM94.9 DJ Tim Pyles also has a place in his heart for The Jam.
“At a certain point in my life, The Jam was the pinnacle of my fandom and love of the mod/ska revival I was part of here in San Diego,” he said. Pyles, who cites “Start!” as his favorite tune, is still a major fan. He even had his scooter, a staple of mod life, signed by Weller a few years back.
“The band wrote great songs and anthems for the youth both in England and here in Southern California. Their music was something to which I could relate,” he stated.
Jennifer Rassmussen, of Secret Society Scooter Club, places The Jam’s love of mod styles ahead of their music in importance.
“While possibly seen as a negative to some, they were the first to get commercial play and introduce this culture to the mainstream,” she said. “They helped create a way of life that continues to exist today.”
While the lack of Weller’s participation keeps From the Jam from being a true reunion, the chance to see two thirds of the legendary band, performing the hits that made them music icons, shouldn’t be passed up.
With Hastings doing a more than passable Weller impersonation this is as close to seeing the real thing as we’re ever likely to come.
From the Jam performs at the House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave. Downtown, on Thursday, Jan.24. Admission ranges from $22.50 to $25, 8 p.m., 21 and up.
For more information visit www.hob.com.