The Jam

In their native England, The Jam were one of the most popular and influential bands of the punk-rock era, although strictly speaking, they weren't exactly a punk band. Starting the band as teenagers in 1975, singer/guitarist Paul Weller, drummer Rick Buckler and bassist Bruce Foxton led a revival of the 1960s mod sound and look. The sound was in debt to the melodic power of bands like The Who, The Kinks and The Small Faces, while the look was decidedly clean cut compared to the punks, favoring suits, ties and sharp retro fashions. The band's debut album, In the City did echo some of the Clash's early bluster, but subsequent efforts dove deeper and deeper into the 1960s, until 1982's swansong The Gift was so indebted to American R&B; that it sounded more like Curtis Mayfield than Joe Strummer. The band split up in 1982 and Weller went on to form the more pop-oriented Style Council.

Elements of The Jam's sound and ethos have endured in a range acts from both sides of the Atlantic. Jam acolytes include: Oasis, Ted Leo and The Pharmacists, The Figgs, Franz Ferdinand and Green day.

1. In The City, 1976
2. This Is the Modern World, 1977
3. All Mod Cons, 1978
4. Setting Sons, 1979
5. Sound Affects, 1980
6. The Gift, 1982

• Last.fm: Similar to The Jam

• Yahoo! Music: Similar to The Jam

• MSN Music: Similar to The Jam

• Vh1.com: Similar to The Jam

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