Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

As a fan of both the brilliant and aggressive song writing of Paul Weller and the edgy ripping sound of the band, consisting of Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler. I was impressed by the performances amassed here. The Rickenbacker sound was an impressive part of it too.

We here in the States just didn't get enough exposure to this band, while this DVD won't make up for it, at least we get a little better picture of one of the original British "Punk" invasion.

I finally picked this up; haven't watched all of it, but seeing In the City again was pretty cool. In the back of my mind I could hear Joe Strummer's take on the Jam: "...they got Burton suits/you think it's funny?/turning rebellion into money." Joe Strummer with a jetglo Rick... there's an image worth conjuring.

That does remind me of the efforts by a movement of punk elitist that was developing at that time, somewhat forgotten about now, to call The Jam and there fans "Mods". Then the term "Power Pop" started getting used after that. Even Paul Weller says the phrase at the very beginning of "News of the World", before Bruce Foxton starts singing.
I would say that the band even encouraged, in not so many words, to start distance themselves from the pack, so did The Clash, by using so many reggae, disco, and soul influences. I think that's why we remember these two bands as listeners, over many others.

Finally got around to watching the whole thing over Christmas.. three times. What a great, great band. I remembered something that Strummer said on the Westway to the World dvd about the Clash not being "little Englanders," not afraid to absorb other types of music into their songs. The Jam were superb little Englanders, because Weller's songs capture so perfectly a certain English way of life (which accounts for their relative lack of success in the U.S.), but from the start they had that Mod soul undercurrent. And very cool to hear the Rickenbacker used for something other than the "jingle jangle" sound. I loved Weller's custom Ric with the stop-bridge and no tailpiece. Maybe Rickenbacker could offer a Weller signature model, with a "decals of your choice" option.

I have to agree, the Jam was a great band and very underrated. Bruce Foxton was an excellent bassist who came up with some very smooth lines and great melodies, and the band seemed to be above and beyond most of the "punk" movement that they seemed to be lumped in with and tried to distance themselves from toward the end of their career. Great songs, great energy and a great DVD!