From the Jam – All Mod Cons

From the Jam – All Mod Cons

by Pete Clemons

Forty years ago, or at least just over, saw the release of that most iconic of albums ‘All Mod Cons’ by The Jam.

Garry Bushell, in his review, commented on the perceived fact, that, during the run up to the release of ‘All Mod Cons’, the ‘David Watts’ single had apparently relegated The Jam to a spent force. He later pointed out how that comment had been a trifle premature. He continued to mention how the next single ‘Down in the Tube Station’ was a whacking great poke in the ribs pointer to the possible strengths of this, their third and most satisfyingly rounded album.

At its release, and for the normal run of the mill listening public ‘All Mod Cons’ seemed to perfectly capture snapshots of aspects of everyday life, as seen through the eyes of Paul Weller. Wonderful lyrics coupled with great tunes instantly had the making of this, now, classic album. Not only that but ‘All Mod Cons’ also looked back musically and spiritually to the 1960s. Although the record itself was totally grounded in the 1970s.

And judging by the recent crowds at both The Empire in Coventry and The Assembly in Leamington Spa, The Jam are still fondly remembered in these parts. Incidentally, the Leamington Spa gig came 40 years to the day after The Jam played at Coventry Theatre on the ‘Apocalypse Tour’ in support of the ‘All Mods Cons’ album.

At both the Empire and Assembly gigs it was ‘From the Jam’, a hybrid of Paul Wellers super group that contains bass player Bruce Foxton from The Jam’s original line up. They performed the ‘All Mod Cons’ album in its entirety and almost in track order as it appeared on the album. For practicalities, however, ‘English Rose’ was tucked into a quieter seated, more acoustic section, during the middle of the gig. After the main course the set list included hits such as ‘News of the World’, ‘Strange Town’, ‘Eton Rifles’, ‘Private Hell’, ‘Town Called Malice’, ‘In the City’ and ‘When your Young’ which did make me smile due to the fact it was sung by many ‘in reflection’.

As with this kind of gig, by bands from this era, very few words came from the stage. Without any heirs and graces 20 or so songs were delivered in blistering fashion. There was little or no tuning of guitars and certainly no sermons delivered.

At the time of the release of ‘All Mod Cons’ The Jam were still in their ascendancy. Such was the sudden growth of their following at that time meant that, for the Apocalypse Tour, the band were suddenly moved up from playing smaller venues such as The Locarno/Tiffany’s to the larger, grander seated theatres such as the Coventry Theatre.

And what happened to The Jam at the end of their time was totally unprecedented. The trio of Bruce Foxton, Rick Buckler and Paul Weller had steered the band to incredible heights. At the time, they were arguably the most popular group in the UK and then, seemingly out of the blue, Paul pulled the plug on it all.

For a short while the country reeled as news of the break up hit the headlines of a lot of national newspapers let alone the music press.

However, for the last 10 years or so, ‘From the Jam’ who have always comprised of ex The Jam band members, have resurrected interest in The Jam and their music once again. They have consistently toured in tribute to all that The Jam created. And the resulting audiences have remained as faithful to the band, just as they had been, 40 years ago.

All Mod Cons  - The Jam - Album