ARTIST · MOD / PUNK

The Jam

Three-piece precision and Union Jack scepticism—power pop with class consciousness.

Mod revival
Punk rock

Updated 27 October 2026

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Biography

Paul Weller's Rickenbacker rhythm and Bruce Foxton's melodic bass defined British new wave songcraft.

Going Underground and That's Entertainment remain lyric sheets DJs quote between spins.

Their influence underpins Britpop's melodic discipline without the genre tag existing yet.

Remastered vinyl generations expose punchy drums, Vox grind, and vocal urgency.

The Jam were Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton, and Rick Buckler, and they came out of the late-1970s punk scene with a passion for 1960s mod style. In the City (1977), All Mod Cons (1978), and Setting Sons (1979) brought a sharp social realism and a series of hit singles.

Sound Affects (1980) included That’s Entertainment and Going Underground, which entered the UK chart at number one. Weller broke up the band at its peak in 1982 and formed The Style Council. Foxton and Buckler later played as From the Jam.

Interesting facts about The Jam

01 English punk/mod revival band formed in Woking in 1972.
02 The Gift (1982) included the UK number-one single Town Called Malice.
03 Split at their peak in 1982; Paul Weller formed The Style Council soon after.
04 Going Underground entered the UK chart at number one.
05 Weller formed The Style Council after the split.