Gary James' Interview With Bruce Foxton Of
The Jam





Calling Woking, England home, The Jam played the club circuit in and around London for seven years before signing with Polydor Records. When I spoke with bassist Bruce Foxton, their fourth album "Setting Sons" had just been released and plans were in the works for a U.S. tour.

Q - Bruce, you've stated before that you want to be famous. Why?

A - The Jam wants to be a very successful group that is accepted all over the world, on our own terms. By that I mean no one is going to manipulate our style of playing.

Q - Do you see any differences between the music being played by American musicians and British musicians?

A - I find it hard to relate to American groups and their lyrics sometimes. British music in general tends to be a lot more environmental and more about day to day living.

Q - Were you the first group to be labeled "New Wave" because you wore suits and ties?

A - That wasn't the reason. It's just a tag to sell you to the media. We relate to the original ideas of New Wave, but would like to be associated with our own movement.

Q - Why has New Wave music become so popular?

A - It's refreshing. Up until late '76, music had become very stale. The influx of groups that came in on the Punk / New Wave scene offered something new.

Q - What kind of venues are The Jam performing in on this tour?

A - 1,500 to 3,000 seat capacity places where we headline. We went out before with Blue Oyster Cult and Be Bop Deluxe as a support act and it just wasn't happening. This time over we're doing it our way.



© Gary James. All rights reserved.

Note: The Jam had 18 consecutive Top 40 singles in the United Kingdom, from their debut in 1977 to their breakup in 1982, including four number one hits.