By Tom Semioli
Legend! Icon!
With his patented plectrum prowess as purveyed on a Rickenbacker, and later a Fender Precision, the oft airborne Bruce Foxton was the key to The Jam’s overwhelming power and cohesion as a musical unit.
A role model – musically and sartorially – to a generation of bass players, Foxton anchored this remarkable triumvirate which modernized Brill Building pop and ‘60s British beat and expanded the language of “punk” with their yen for soul and rhythm & blues.
Foxton’s bass passages were often the hooks beneath Paul Weller’s melodies. Bruce quoted the greats while maintaining a stripped-down approach sans grace notes or unnecessary fills! (Are there any other kind?)
Pity that The Modfather broke up to band much too soon – or at all. Bruce pursued a solo career, waxing platters that are woefully underappreciated. In addition to his fifteen-year tenure in Stiff Little Fingers, Foxton reunited with drummer Rick Buckler in to form the repertory ensemble From The Jam (go figure what inspired that moniker), touring the globe to packed venues. Foxton has made amends with Weller, and they’ve appeared on each
Bruce Foxton - Biography
Biography
Foxton was born in Woking, Surrey. In The Jam, he and drummer Rick Buckler played with singer, guitarist, and songwriter Paul Weller. Foxton initially joined as lead guitarist (while Weller played bass), but the pair switched positions following the departure of guitarist Steve Brookes. Foxton also took lead vocals on a few tracks, most notably the singles "David Watts" (a cover of a Kinks track) and "News of the World", which was his own composition. Foxton also penned other tracks, possibly the most notable being "Smithers-Jones", done as a straightforward rock take for the B-side of "When You're Young" and later reworked with strings for the Setting Sons album. Stiff Little Fingers would regularly perform the song live after Foxton joined.
Whilst in The Jam, Foxton discovered The Vapors and co-managed the group with John Weller, Paul's father. Ironically, The Vapors enjoyed greater success in the U.S. than The Jam would ever have with the Top 40 single "Turning Japanese", but broke up shortly thereafter.
After The Jam split, Foxton pursued a brief solo career, and released the album Touch Sensitive (UK #68). He had minor UK hits in
Dancefloor deluxe
In The Jam, he and drummer Rick Buckler were the driving force, power and rhythm section behind singer, guitarist, and songwriter Paul Weller. Bruce's versatility is evident, taking lead vocals on "David Watts" (The Kinks) and "News Of The World", which was one from his catalogue of own compositions. Foxton's most notable work being "Smithers-Jones", done with bass/guitar/drums for the B-side of "When You're Young" and later reworked with strings for the Setting Sons LP.
After The Jam split in '82, Foxton pursued a solo career. He had a hit with the single "Freak" and collaborated with other musicians, until he got the call from Stiff Little Fingers' Jake Burns, staying with with SLF for fifteen years, recording four albums, namely, Flags and Emblems, Get a Life, Tinderbox, and Guitar and Drum.
In , Rick and Bruce collaborated on Our Story, a biography of their eventful and cherished years in The Jam. Bruce toured with Bruce Watson, Mark Brzez
Bruce Foxton: “We once butchered some Rickenbackers, putting in P-Bass pickups to make it sound like a Precision. But all it did was screw up a lovely guitar”
He’s the sharp-suited mod who partnered Paul Weller in The Jam and penned the best basslines in punk.
Now, as he keeps the classics alive in From The Jam and releases a fantastic new album of originals with Russell Hastings, Bruce Foxton looks back on burying the hatchet, beating tinnitus and why the Beatles can’t sue him for the Start! bassline…
When you’re young
“Most kids want to be professional footballers or firemen. I just wanted to play music and I thought guitar was a good start – the piano was a bit too big and expensive. My mum and dad, bless them, they saved up their pennies and bought me an acoustic guitar to start the ball rolling. I was a bit clumsy, just dabbling to start with. But if you want to do something good, you’ve got to do it on a regular basis. And I just went on from there.”
Trading places
“I joined The Jam as rhythm guitarist. They had a lead guitarist in Steve Brookes and Paul [Weller] was on bass. But when Steve le
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