Russell: No, because everything happens the way it should in this world, regardless of whether I like it or not. So in answer to your question no, I have no regrets. Interview with post-punk legend Jah Wobble about music, Sid Vicious, star signs, Brexit and everything else you can think of Unable to tour during the pandemic, Russell has stated that having time to record was “quite a relief… We, like everybody else, were concerned about the future and were glad when we were allowed to get in the studio”, with Bruce adding that the process was “extremely creative and fun.” From The Jam to working alongside a captivating frontman. This is establishment of the genius that Bruce Foxton has come to signify, and in his partnership with Russell Hastings has flourished accordingly, and the strength of their time together on stage has only enhanced what is evident in their new album, The Butterfly Effect. Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings team up once again to release their third album together The Butterfly Effect.

Being known as an active touring band, From The Jam obviously could not tour during the pandemic. However, Hastings has stated that having time to record was ‘quite a relief … We, like everybody else, were concerned about the future and were glad when we were allowed to get in the studio’, with Foxton adding that the process was ‘extremely creative and fun.’ Russell: Erm, I don’t know, because I’ve never been anything else. Maybe I would be working on property restoration now, as I enjoy all aspects of that and I’m good at it. The Butterfly Effect’ marks the third joint album the pair have done together and it’s a delicious stroll through their joint record collection, tipping a hat to the artists that have influenced them whilst remaining true to their own creative wanderings.Ahead of Tuesday’s Drive I was joined by Bruce Foxton and Russel Hostings of From The Jam. After The Jam split, bassist Bruce Foxton formed From The Jam to continue touring the band’s huge hits and since joining forces Foxton & Hastings have released two studio albums. It was great to chat to both of them ahead of their third studio album, The Butterfly Effect. We covered all sorts from what it’s like playing The Jam’s hits live, how a Covid induced touring break lead them to the studio and what we’ve got to look forward to in the new album. Plus a top tip for drying a wet phone and a few thoughts on the charts and modern radio. What was once familiar will always come round again, only this time with an edge to it that will the reminisces feeling overwhelmed, and the new sound embracing the time-honoured as if it was a frequent visitor that had all the answers to the questions being asked. The biggest compliment that I can give the new album is that it would be great to see and hear it done live as a gig – front to end – in full – perhaps with a couple of The Jam numbers as an encore – but in my mind it deserves a Foxton and Hastings show of it’s own… perhaps with a podcast chat with them together after the show to top it all off?. Selected items are only available for delivery via the Royal Mail 48® service and other items are available for delivery using this service for a charge.

The majestic Lula was the first single from the album, and the one that we had an early preview to during the making of the album on social media. It was lovely to witness this as part of the live set in Dorking and it undoubtedly deserves its place in the show. It has been described by Russell as “A catchy pop song about a spoilt woman who seemingly has everything yet has nothing.” and you could hear this becoming a singalong favourite in time too. Circles would be the closest to what many would consider to be the traditional ‘sound of The Jam’ (if such a thing exists). A blistering-pop-anthem with angry guitars and it’s a song that you could immediately imagine sounded loud, fast and fierce in a live setting with the energy of the band dialled up to the max.

Statistics

Russell: No, I don’t, actually. As long as it sounded and looked great and kept people happy, I don’t see a problem with it at all. Only when some members can’t cut it anymore does reforming a band could become a problem.

a b "From The Jam 2007 tour". Noble PR. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2007 . Retrieved 30 July 2007. From 2 January we’ll be featuring significant albums reviewed 2003-2023 in our featured album sequences as part of GRTR!@20

On The Go

From the eye-catching artwork (guitar plectrums and strings cleverly positioned as butterflies in the striking blue and red vinyl colourways), this album oozes class and style, and I’m pleased to say that the music is as vibrant and colourful as the album cover. It brings us 12 great melodic songs spanning different musical genres and styles, from the psychedelic 60s to country and western, 70s soul, jazz and strings, along with a good dose of early Jam punk-inspired attitude. The Batman theme sparks up and then the band come on ripping straight into Away from the Numbers and Strange Town. Just brilliant!. The energy on stage is felt throughout the crowd which is soon pogoing along to an incredible live sound.

Hearing the cool, jazzy ‘Wanted’ and the constantly shifting ‘Circles’ can’t but help to bring a warm smile to even the most cynical of hearts. Whilst ‘Time on Your Side’ doesn’t quite hit the mark, it’s the only slight dip and the throbbing ‘Two of Us’ more than makes up for this, it’s Quadrophenia atmosphere full of the end of the Summer of Love and fisticuffs on Brighton beach.

T HE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “ Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings have teamed up once again to release their third album The Butterfly Effect. The Jam To Play Australia – Without Frontman". ABC "Dig Radio". 11 December 2007 . Retrieved 12 March 2008. Personal favourites on the album for me include Feet Off The Ground (“We listen to our heartbeats, We listen to our fears, we listen to our memories as the months turn into years”) – a really upbeat but emotional song on time passing and togetherness of a relationship (or friendship between the duo perhaps?). Bruce: BBC Radio 2 mainly. Also, Liam and Noel [Gallagher] have gone on to produce some good stuff, and my old mate Paul [Weller], as for the inspiration, all the events happening, I guess.