Sticky Wicket
From the Jam features original members of The Jam, Bruce Foxton and Rick Butler with additional guitarist Dave Moore and Russel Hastings taking the place of Paul Weller. It appears that this as near as we’ll get to a reunion of The Jam with Weller not being interested and having some less than favourable things to say about Foxton and Butler’s efforts. Being a local band however they are assured of a good turn out on the main stage but with Weller’s voice being such an integral part of their sound it remains to be seen whether they can avoid coming across as nothing more than a tribute band.
The good news is that Hastings vocals bear more than a passing resemblance to Weller so when they kick off with ‘This is the Modern World’ for a moment it’s almost like taking a step back in time. Foxton both looks and acts much the same as he ever did and gives a vibrant performance (which will be familiar to anyone who saw him during his 15 year stint with SLF). The set list covers pretty much the whole spectrum of the Jam’s back catalogue with ‘David Watts’, ‘Pretty Green’ and ‘News of the World’ making for an impressive opening. Now I admit I was only ever a casual fan of the band and whilst some of the material still hits the spot there are other songs that fall a bit flat these days; you certainly couldn’t say that of the excellent ‘Eton Rifles’ though and naturally the crowd are in fine voice for that one.
For some in the crowd though, whilst it’s enjoyable to hear these songs played live again they don’t seem to be able to get over the fact that Weller is not in attendance. Although he has the sound to pull it off Hastings doesn’t really get animated and when they play ‘That’s Entertainment’ it just lacks the passion and bite of the original. You can’t blame Foxton and Butler for wanting to revive the band, they have as much right to play these songs as Weller but the fact is that as a three piece in their original incarnation Weller was the main man and it’s never going to be quite the same without him.
They throw in ‘Smithers Jones’ and ‘In the City’ towards the end and it’s entertaining enough, the crowd seem to dig it and the parade of hits in the set list keeps the casual observer happy but the fact remains, if Weller was up there with them they’d be selling out Wembley. With this line up you wonder how long they can hold the interest but for an evening slot at Guilfest it’s warmly welcomed.