First Time Hearing THE JAM! Bass Teacher REACTS to “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight”

[@jenscee7679]

The Jam ended up being the biggest British band up to their end in 1982. They are the sound of my youth.

[@liminalzone909]

Same. Going underground was the main song in my head for over a decade.

[@gh-vi9tk]

Sound effects is a cool LP. Liza Radley, man in the corner shop, Monday..... 😎

[@thomasrae9730]

Me too. First band to release three singles that went straight to Number 1.

[@LouisL1963]

Same here - Bruce was my first playing influence. Told him that when I met him at the LBGS in 2013. Really nice guy - very humble about his ability.

[@salkdhfpoahergpoahre1534]

@@liminalzone909 My dad had friends at Musician Magazine and got a bunch of press copies of albums from he 80s, and one of them was Sound Affects. Took me years to realize there was also a Going Underground 45 in it!

[@richgates]

Bruce Foxton is criminally underrated.

[@robertcaple2607]

He’s the real MVP in that band

[@richgates]

@@robertcaple2607 He definitely is the highlight in most of their songs, but I really do love all of Paul Weller's projects.

[@B0K1T0]

oh wow is this "criminally underrated" bs still a thing on youtube?

[@richgates]

@@B0K1T0 Apparently so. Have a great day.

[@sidsuspicious]

@@richgates Underrated by whom?

[@JackSlider-hf1jb]

imagine knowing nothing about late 70s punk/new wave music, the absolute musical goldmine awaiting you

[@LowEndUniversity]

Better late than never!

[@johnnywarnerperfectroad66]

Political protest/ punk late 70s aggressive sound ... I was there and more a greb.. what was the Mod aside from clothing..I saw Mod but somehow oblivious...A real melting pot time Mötorhead were best mates with the Damned and often had more in common with punks than Heavy metal. What about Two Tone Scar influences

[@alexanderwilliams3955]

@@LowEndUniversity I envy you coming to this stuff fresh! Pretty Green and Funeral Pyre are two more Foxton lines well worth investigating

[@jonathansteadman7935]

​@@johnnywarnerperfectroad66 SKA, NOT SCAR😊

[@fritzwalter1540]

Especially if you re not only focussed on certain instruments. So many wonderful and timeless harmonies waiting. As much as I love Ramones or Clash, there were so many unique Bands around. Though Pistols and Damned, at least at the start, were raw RocknRoll, later so many gems were written as well. Buzzcocks with Ever fallen in love? Or The Boys with Brickfield nights. Nothing in my life blew me away like these harmonies Press labeled as punk.

[@lookandlisten5740]

Bruce Foxton ( the Jam) and JJ Burnel ( the Stranglers)....that's all you need to know when it comes to Bass Brilliance.

[@jameshalley5467]

You are forgetting the best of all ....mick karn

[@pedge66]

Rattus Norvegicus The stranglers 4. Side 2, 20 odd minutes of brilliance

[@colinstobbart599]

Jane munroe of Au pairs as well.

[@TheGamingJewYT]

Agree with this entirely. Bruce is the greatest, nobody else is even relevant 🙏

[@jalmarirantala6059]

Don't forget Paul Gray from The Damned

[@mikemccarthy1287]

You will love ,a town called malice, by the jam

[@somersetfan1]

If you ever watched Billy Elliott...

[@C.Baumann]

@@somersetfan1 I was going to say the same exact thing. My favorite Jam song, and it's nothing like the rest of their stuff!!!I It has a total soul vibe. It seems like it could be very influenced by "You Can't Hurry Love" by the Supremes.

[@davidfilcher]

I was going to say exactly the same thing

[@srodgers66]

Town Called Malice is the only Jam song americans seem to know. But the Jam's peak was around the time of "Eton Rifles' and "Strange Town".

[@GiT5UM]

Check out its B' side, a tune called 'precious' absolute blaster. Weller was heavily influenced by motown.

[@racheltaylor6578]

Ian Dury and the Blockheads-Hit me with your rhythm stick has a great bass line by Norman Watt Roy.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thanks! They’re on my list for soon!

[@danielhoskins4690]

Now there’s some funky bass! “My old man” is beautifully played as well (just my ignorant guitarist opinion), but really that was an incredible pub rock/funk band.

[@rzh101]

@@LowEndUniversity Cool - Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick is my favourite bass line ever.

[@silgen]

Great bassist, he also played the bass loop on the Clash song Magnificent Seven, which has to be one of the most sampled bass lines of all time.

[@danielmoran9902]

I saw NWR once! He was sat on a bench in Greenwich Park. I walked by, saw it was him and said 'Orright, Norm!?' He looked up and said 'Hello, son...' He was extremely thin and I wondered how he managed to cart that bass about with such grace. Nice geezer, impressively large teeth!

[@lanceaxt7476]

Reason why they never took off in the US: Paul Weller didn't want to put the time in to make The Jam as big here as they were in the UK. The band specifically spoke to the British working class and Downing Street politics, and Weller didn't feel that such issues would translate. Same with his follow-up band The Style Council, which took the soul and jazz from the Mod movement and combined it again with British socialism. Simple fact is The Jam was almost too British for America. But those who saw them live saw one of the most ferocious live acts of the late 70's and early 80's, maybe more so than The Police.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Great read, thanks for the insight!

[@lynnejamieson2063]

The Jam and Paul Weller in general have maintained the kind of respect here in the UK that The Police and Sting could only dream of. I’ve both read about and known people who have met Weller and Sting (though no-one that has met both) Sting had a sense of entitlement and expected/demanded free drinks and Weller after receiving a compliment on his top, literally took it off and gave it to the person.

[@deargdoom8743]

The Police were static live. Crap live act, in fact. The Jam were superior in all respects.

[@paulleonard1862]

​@@deargdoom8743 The Police argued on stage too much. Never seemed happy playing live. The Jam just delivered with passion.

[@lanceaxt7476]

@@lynnejamieson2063 Although I've heard from those lucky enough to see them live that XTC was also a pretty damn energetic band as well.

[@Paul-dz6fs]

Bruces "trick" was that he was originally rhythm guitar, but after Steve Brookes left just before they were signed to Polydor, Paul switched from bass to Rhythm/ lead as he became main vocalist ( he had trouble playing bass and lead vocals at the same time) and Bruce switched to bass. Bruce had to fill out the sound and support mainly chord based guitar work from paul in the absence of Steve's Lead guitar. The Jam were from my home town and another local band of the punk era you need to hear is The Stranglers. I would recommend "Straighten out" as a good bass player in Jean Jacques Burnell 😀

[@LowEndUniversity]

Always love stories like this of how a band arrived at their sound organically and completely based on circumstance. I think some of the best art comes from a "working with what you've got" mentality!

[@Upperroad4480]

Weller said that they were a mod band.

[@Paul-dz6fs]

@@Upperroad4480 Were they ? .. Not as I recall them back in the early days. They were a band, but not of any particular genre. I should just add that I first knew them in around 1974 when they were just starting out and still riding around on push bikes as school kids. Their early influence was more Beatles and their early sound was more akin to The Searchers than The Small faces or the Who. They saw the punk movement and saw it as an opening and the Mod Influence happened after "The Modern World" album, influenced by their youth, almost as revivalists. Paul was at that time, running around Woking on a scooter.

[@outofthesinking]

Never too late to discover The Jam. Bruce Foxton is an amazing bass player, going to see him in May.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Glad I did! I have everyone here to thank!

[@warrenfontana1325]

From the Jam, very good. Enjoy 🙂

[@outofthesinking]

@@warrenfontana1325 Thank you, saw them last year, Bruce was ill so didn't make it, still a great gig though. Looking forward to it.

[@gbc7344]

Saw him last month ( from the Jam ) ..they still rock..enjoy

[@outofthesinking]

@@gbc7344 Thanks, I can't wait. The Skids and Purple Hearts also playing, should be a great night

[@jaschul]

For another UK master of the P-Bass, check out Bruce Thomas of Elvis Costello & the Attractions. Listen to "Goon Squad" or "Lipstick Vogue" and hear, essentially, James Jamerson crossed with John Entwistle. Thomas is amazing.

[@MattMcQueen1]

I came here to recommend Bruce Thomas. Amazing bass player. I'm also recommend Joe Jackson's "I'm the Man" (Graham Maby)

[@nautje]

⁠@@MattMcQueen1Me too! Lipstick Vogue is probably my favourite

[@rbrc59]

Couldn't agree more. Bruce is the finest British bass player of his generation.

[@plectrumizer]

yup, him and Jean-Jacques Burnel - my bass heroes when I started playing - I'd add Pump it Up to the BT list

[@robertoc2485]

Didn't Bruce Thomas play bass finger style? I'm sure when I've seen him he played that way.

[@motionoutoftime]

Your hunch about The Jam being a bass-dominant band is spot on. There's a lot of space to fill in a power trio, and Bruce Foxton wrote some incredibly tasteful bass lines to fill that space. As a longtime fan of The Jam, I recommend checking out (in chronological order in terms of release date): --- In The City (1977) --- In The City Art School Away From The Numbers --- This Is The Modern World (1977) --- The Modern World Standards Life From A Window --- All Mod Cons (1978) --- All Mod Cons To Be Someone Mr. Clean David Watts (Kinks cover) In The Crowd Billy Hunt It's Too Bad Fly The Place I Love 'A' Bomb In Wardour Street --- Setting Sons (1979) --- Girl On The Phone Thick As Thieves Private Hell Saturday's Kids The Eton Rifles When You're Young --- Dreams of Children (single - 1980) --- Going Underground --- Sound Affects (1980) --- Pretty Green Monday Set The House Ablaze Start! That's Entertainment Man In The Corner Shop Boy About Town --- The Gift (1982) --- Happy Together Ghosts Precious Just Who Is The 5 O'Clock Hero? Running On The Spot Carnation Town Called Malice

[@LowEndUniversity]

Amazing list, will save it for when I can circle back. Thanks for this!

[@davidbeeson9408]

You’ve missed loads out on this great list. ‘Time For Truth’ for starters.

[@alecstewart4924]

The Jam one of the best British bands. Bruce is still playing these songs live with "From The Jam" They still sound fantastic. Another British bassist to check out is Tony Butler who played in another great British band-Big Country. Great video really enjoyed your insight into Bruce's playing

[@fashionicon1972]

FROM THE JAM CABERET ACT,

[@chet-vk6it]

XTC White Music and the first 2 Joe Jackson albums also essential for British bass. Graham Maby is a legend.

[@plectrumizer]

XTCs version of All Along the Watchtower is beyond epic! Especially the bass and drums

[@alwAudio]

Maby is awesome!

[@Goddzi]

Agreed, definitely check out Graham Maby! ❤️

[@jonathansteadman7935]

THE English band, and they were HUGE 79 -82 When Weller split them up. They still mean everything to those of a certain age.

[@jinggaddi]

When Paul Weller sings, "I fumble for change," Bruce Foxton plays those lovely bass harmonics mimicking the loose change jangling in your pocket.

[@LowEndUniversity]

That's seriously heady, gotta love it!

[@eliamberson9782]

Gang of Four. Any song from Entertainment or Solid Gold is incredible. The band Wire also has some great lines.

[@graphicmaths7677]

Saw them at the Shepherd's Bush Empire last year. Andy Gill is no longer with us sadly, but they've still got it.

[@jonathanbarb5516]

The Jam is awesome! So influential. You'll love their catalogue. And your should also check out Gang of Four!

[@jeremysmith2875]

Damaged goods would be a great reaction video

[@jonathanbarb5516]

@@jeremysmith2875 yeah! Or even "natural's not in it"! I think that's a cooler bassline, but there's lots of uniqueness to that band that I think our dude here would enjoy!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Gang of Four are in the queue for pretty soon! Stay tuned.

[@jonathanbarb5516]

@@LowEndUniversity excellent!

[@petehurd5301]

@@LowEndUniversity Gang of Four's 'Not Great Men' inspired Flea to play the bass.

[@cuckooflower]

Amazing. The Jam are one of my favourite bands. So many great bass lines. Bruce Foxton was absolutely key to their sound.

[@pauldouglas9464]

If you want some bass driven Punk or Post Punk you can't beat New Model Army (first 2 LPs) and the Stranglers (first 3 LPs). And for harmonics check out the intro of the track Vengeance by New Model Army.

[@ewrlon]

Stuart Morrow is my bass hero.

[@davzer3773]

NMA bass is just magic!

[@MrWidestripes]

Stuart Morrows tone was so good live, NMA early albums were amazing

[@BennyDogwasp]

This. Stuart Morrow is the man. My Country, Vengeance, Notice Me, anything really off the first 2 albums.

[@anok4u2]

Yeh, came on to mention NMA and anything in the Stuart Morrow period, they lost something live after he left.

[@TheGamingJewYT]

I love that in a video celebrating Bruce, theres a ton of people mentioning other bassists, its nice that after over 40 years people are still in bruces shadow ❤🤣

[@andyroberts2435]

Bruce is still out touring with his band - From The Jam. Have seen him live a few times over the last few years and he still plays with the same drive and energy.

[@graphicmaths7677]

I always found it slightly sad that he ended up in his own tribute band. Same thing happened to Peter Hook.

[@cricketbat09]

The Jam were massive here in the UK. So many great songs.

[@artunderwood2641]

Great review, check out "The Stranglers" song, "No More Heroes". Great bass work.

[@butnooneshome]

Nice 'N' Sleazy, In The Shadows, Old Codger ... Actually anything by the Stranglers, JJ is a bass god !!

[@eidetecker]

The Jam's 'Snap (Greatest Hits)' is the best introduction because the double album is chronological, so one can hear their evolution from start to finish quite brilliantly. Listening to that album tells ya everything about them.

[@secallen]

Fun analysis. Other British new wave bassists you will like: JJ Burnel (Stranglers), Derek Forbes (Simple Minds), Colin Moulding!!!! (XTC)

[@lanceaxt7476]

Colin is one of the best bassists out there period. Good choice (as is XTC in general).

[@secallen]

@@lanceaxt7476 Colin is such a creative and original bassist - as well as being an amazing songwriter -- and singer! So much talent in one person.

[@Ps51noah]

I love his bass playing. He also played for about 15 years with Stiff Little Fingers (SLF). I am a fan of both bands. The Jam does a killer version of "In the Midnight Hour" which version my band used to cover.

[@tmcwilliam01]

We need some SLF!

[@rohnnyjotten3985]

Green Day owe SLF big time! they more or less made a pretty fortune on ripping them off.

[@wired_0402]

Awww man… ain’t that the truth… I‘m turning 60 and still make the annual pilgrimage to the Barra’s on St Patrix! Ali has all the moves, but when Bruce joined SLF, they created the supergroup of our era… IMHO 😮. JJB, extremely gifted and almost too good for the ‘have a go yourself’ movement, but Bruce was the raw and real deal IMO, he has the brain, the heart and the baws.

[@sreisscruz]

I'm a US fan of The Jam - Found them in college in the early 80s! I found their music to be "Note Perfect" - Each song has amazing Guitar / Bass / Drum parts... All-time favorite band!

[@Buckers2202]

On the first verse when Paul sings "a distant echo" I always hear those harmonics that follow like a train in the distance of a tunnel. This song is an absolute classic, the final part with Bruce just down picking, pummeling those root notes with Paul's vocals getting more and more animated with the grim subject matter is just so good 🔥

[@stevebodman6943]

Bruce was never underrated by Jam fans, his bass was in many cases the driving force of a track. I recently saw From the Jam and Bruce is still killing it.

[@mlwsf]

Gang of Four might be another band to check out, particularly the Sara Lee era. Also when will you be doing classic English Ska: English Beat, Specials, The Selecter, etc?

[@LowEndUniversity]

Hopefully soon! Lots to get to, but Gang of Four are for sure in the queue!

[@tharrison7832]

How about The (English) Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom! And also New Model Army - "Lights Go Out" or "Poison Street" or "Frightened "or "Coming and Going". Also Eton Rifles by the Jam,.

[@peroskarstorholm4196]

The bass lines and the groove in Town Called Malice is a classic in my book ❤

[@wonderfullife3108]

That's very Motown, bassline sound very influenced by 'You can't hurry love', brilliant song though I agree.

[@PaulMikna]

Right, as well as Start!

[@krawkpun]

This exact song was on my recommendation list. The only item additional item I wanted to point out is that Bruce Foxton has a lot of energy on stage, which is quite opposite of the stereotype of a bass player. He's always moving, always grooving, and seems quite happy doing what he's doing. I tend to focus on him more as a result. This is really important in a band like the Jam, because Paul Weller needs to be stuck to the microphone and is generally quite serious and intense on stage, and the drummer, Rick Buckler, seems to have zero emotion at all. He has the most amazing posture for a drummer I have ever seen.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Rad! I almost commented on that, how he was totally the "front man" in terms of the stage energy focal point. Love the "space" available when you're a trio!

[@richiedagger733]

The stranglers - nice and sleazy

[@Getoffmylawn9]

You're going to love delving into the jam

[@snowblindcomics7051]

I love the direction this channel is going. Great video!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thanks so much!

[@zhegwood]

You'd probably also dig Gang of Four. I Found the Essence Rare is a good one, but that whole Entertainment! album is gold.

[@TheHeroAppeared]

Couldn't agree more. Their album Entertainment is incredible.

[@LowEndUniversity]

They're in the queue!

[@Hasta-la-pasta]

The Smiths - Big mouth strikes again. Andy Rourke’s bass tone is exquisite!!

[@SO-ym3zs]

Not to take anything away from Marr and Morrissey, but Rourke plays such a huge, underappreciated part of the Smiths' unique sound. Terribly underappreciated. RIP

[@alex-E7WHU]

Great choice.👍

[@Hasta-la-pasta]

@@SO-ym3zsMarrs jangly bright playing against Rourkes bass tones are signature. I could do without Morrissey honestly. Rourke is so technical and funky

[@tonydalton459]

Barbarism Begins at Home. Incredible bass line.

[@Hasta-la-pasta]

@@tonydalton459agree

[@richardc8353]

Great to see Bruce get some attention and respect. There’s a lot of great songs to check out.

[@stevenclarke5606]

Great Bass Player

[@herryhubert2706]

An old punk here. The Jam and the Clash first albums were my introduction to punk in the summer of 77. Even until today they have remained among my favorite bands. For as far as the Jam is concerned, especially the first 4 albums are pure gold, the first two sounding the most punk-like and the 3rd and 4th being next step. They called it mod-revival, but I could barely compare it to bands like the Kinks or the Who, maybe apart from the covers they played. As Paul Weller had to play guitar and do the vocals, he chose for putting an emphasis on the latter, as he put as much effort in writing the lyrics as he did writing the music. About any Jam-song can't be evaluated without reading the lyrics to it. Typical example of how Paul acts with the lyrics is when he sings: "Hey boy, the shout, have you got any money". It's nice to put the spotlight on the bass. Bruce well deserves that. But what made the Jam so special was how they were as a band: the pronouciation of the words, the power even in the more mellow songs (listen to That's Entertainment) and how it all fits together. The total is more than the sum of the pieces. In later interviews Paul would backstab his former bandmates by stating things like: "They could only play punk". Well, that just maybe the reason why the Jam had this unique sound. Because whatever Paul did afterwards (Style council and solo) was nice, but never came close to the Jam.

[@franklydon4555]

Wire is another great under rated British band. Also Gang of Four.

[@hannahpumpkins4359]

The bassline on 'Monday' is absolutely gorgeous.

[@AlNikon]

A favourite track of mine.. great bassline :-)

[@UncleSpellbinder]

This entire band... their entire catalog... THE JAM... completely and criminally underappreciated in the States. I don't know if it was because of the British subject matter, Paul Weller's overtly British accents... Whatever the case, The Jam were among the great bands alongside the Stones, The Who, The Beatles. Fu**ing BRILLIANT.

[@thomasrae9730]

My favourite band as a young man. Lucky enough to see them live twice. Totally amazing at Glasgow Apollo. The second time I was fortunate to see them twice the same day. The band let fan's in to see the set up in the afternoon. Amazing seeing what happens before the concert at night. The Sound check just remembered what it was called. We were standing at the Apollo backdoor when someone walked up and banged the door "Saying typical of this place you can't get in here,follow me" When all of us standing around realised who it was we followed him. It was Rick the drummer. We followed him into the sound check through the front door of the Apollo. The Sound check was amazing including a few tracks they played for about a hundred or so fans in an around 5 to 6 thousand concert hall. Poor Apollo was pulled down a long time ago though many bands loved the place. Back to the 1980s. Quadrophenia was also made into a movie. As we said We Are The Mods.

[@WilliamBell-t8k]

Only a British band could produce a song of such sensibility. Bill

[@colinbaker3916]

As I recall, the Jam had 18 UK hits between 1977 and 1982, two of which were imports. They had four number ones, three of which entered the charts in top position. Paul Weller loved Motown. The bass at the start of Town Called Malice is obviously inspired by the opening of You Can’t Hurry Love by the Supremes.

[@danbowen7883]

The original Mods were around in the sixties. They were a youth movement which favoured sharp suits and rode Italian scooters. They were often in conflict with biker gangs(Rockers). The revival in late 70's and early 80's was massive in the UK and featured bands like The Specials, The Beat and Madness.

[@MojoRising-vl7sq]

Ska revival Top notch two tone

[@tomball77]

Original Mods probably go back to the late '50's but really took off in the '60's

[@richardscantlebury488]

One of my favourite songs of all time.great bass and great lyrics

[@robertpassarella5348]

This is the beginning of stress rock.Rock bands that are not reliant on blues as their main influence. The Jam ,The Undertones,The Dills,The Plugz,The Weirdos,The Buzzcocks ect.. all influenced what would happen in Indie Rock in the mid and late eighties.

[@PaulMikna]

As a bass player we covered a lot of Jam tunes back in my college years, and Foxton was a real thrill to cover! He also sings b/u vocals while playing those complex lines!

[@SO-ym3zs]

Late 70's-80's Post-Punk, Alternative, and New Wave are filled with so much awesome bass. Sonically and/or musically, so many bands of that era put the bass right up front: The Jam, Joy Division, The Cure, REM, The Smiths, The Sound, Pixies, Talking Heads, Big Country, Oingo Boingo, The Armoury Show, Siouxsie and the Banshees, PiL, The Stone Roses, Psychedelic Furs, House of Love, Japan, The Police, Duran Duran.... It's an absolute goldmine for bass lovers. I wish more bass channels would talk about Rourke or Gallup instead of rehashing stuff about Jaco and Jamerson (as awesome as he is) repeatedly.

[@LowEndUniversity]

I'd love to get to all of those bands, many on the list! I get asked why I don't do Jaco and Jamerson, and it's because of that exact reason. Tons of coverage and the bigger bass channels already have excellent breakdowns of those players. As a rock/metal bassist myself, I love shining the light on underappreciated bassists in heavier music!

[@SO-ym3zs]

@@LowEndUniversity I play many genres, but rock and metal are where my bass heart lies, so that's good to hear! I think you'd find many of those bands/players interesting to discuss here.

[@Colin-ro6lh]

Big part of 70's UK punk scene(far away from post punk etc) & 79 - 82 they were part of the Mod revival scene that didn't last long

[@Colin-ro6lh]

You need to learn what new wave / post punk actually is because without sounding funny you don't have a clue

[@georgeconradie4854]

Nice! Never heard it before but is now one of my favourite songs.

[@RibombeeTeacher]

Monday and Gang of Four are incredible bass lines. Bruce Foxton often goes underrated when looking at these all time bassists lists, but he is truly a brilliant influence.

[@beardobeardo8518]

I took up the bass a few years ago after playing guitar religiously since 1988-89. I never realized how difficult bass is in comparison. Been playing(bullshitting) my way playing bass in a band for almost 3 years now and learning these different aspects of the instrument by these greats like Foxton and Watt or all my favorite punk artists has really helped me undertake the challenge of bass that the guitar just didn't present to me. Thank you for sharing this and being open to such great music. The Jam is a total powerhouse. Dig the New Breed is a great one to crank on the home stereo!!!! That live bass sound is amazing.

[@anthonymoore1705]

paul weller one of the best songwriters of all time, eton rifles, going underground, a town called malice, thats entertainment, just a few to check out.

[@seqtrailrider]

Listen to the Album setting sons. So privileged to have seen one of Bruces last shows in Australia just recently. A true magician

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

That's entertainment is a great song by "The Jam"

[@icouldbewrongicouldberight]

Love the version on Compact Snap!

[@markjones127]

Weller was basically the figurehead of the 70's/80's MOD revival and was referred to as the Modfather, I remember buying an obligatory Mod Parka coat which you'd sew cotton badges all over featuring your favourite bands of the time, the first two badges on pretty much all Parkas would be The Jam and The Who, usually followed by all the Two-Tone bands, The Jam were held with very high regard, I also grew up in one of the seaside resorts where the Mods would have their rally's every summer which was an amazing spectacle!

[@markjones127]

I have a really funny photo of me when I was 9 in a Mod Parka coat and amongst all the cool band badges was a Smurfs badge which I think must have made me really rock and roll!!! 🤣

[@johnsmithers5044]

Check out the songs "Pretty Green" or their blantant Tax Man rip off called"Start".The Jam often went from 0 to No.1 in the charts when a new single came out.They were HUGE in thr UK.

[@tommycoopersmagiccarpetwea817]

. . . and good ole George didn't sue for royalties👍

[@robertoc2485]

I loved ' going underground '

[@buckmelanoma758]

Yes!!!! Thank you. Bruce is one of punk’s greatest bass players

[@philippowers5909]

Proto-Punk and Post-Punk are such underrated sub-genres. They are so much more accessible than people realize.

[@davidbidgood3987]

The bass line at time mimics the sound of the train on the track running in ' the tube'. Just genius, I love The Jam.

[@erwinschrodinkle7228]

Teenage me is still alive, trapped in an old fart's body. This made me happy!

[@terrysutton8452]

Pretty sure someone must have mentioned these to you before, but New Model Army always had great bass lines. They had a series of great bass players and fans often argue which one was the best, but the bass playing was always innovative and of a high standard. I definitely recommend you should check them out.

[@TommyrotLLC]

I have an original pressing of the 7" single of this song. The Jam are just amazing.

[@markperlsweig7807]

Just a very polite FYI since you are listening to one of my all time favorite bands from our youth. The video you are watching is a televised presentation which is being mimed on stage because the music is the album track. Foxton usually plays a Rickenbacker 401 or 403 jet black and Weller mostly plays a Rickenbacker 360 in Fireglo. Glad everybody still loves it.

[@dannyeglen4750]

Weren't his early riccys actually Ibanez?!

[@littlejimmy7402]

From back in the time that if you wanted a record, You went to the record store. But, if You wanted The Jam, The Damned, or Stiff LIttle Fingers, or so many great UK bands of the time, You had to go to a record store with an Import section. Those records cost more because they weren't being pressed in the states yet, i.e. they came over on a boat.

[@srodgers66]

Music is so homogenous now, you forget how differrent the scenes were in different coutries. Thankful to have been in my mid teens in England in 1977.

[@Terry-ed1pi]

They were new wave. Tbh

[@silgen]

Some suggestions for British/Irish three piece bands with prominent bass: Cream (Jack Bruce) - suggest Tales of Brave Ulysses Early Thin Lizzy (Phil Lynott) - I suggest The Rocker from the album Vagabonds of the Western World. Motorhead (Lemmy) = suggest Bomber Just noticed all three are the main vocalist as well :)

[@silgen]

Just thought of another suggestion - Pink Floyd live version of Echoes in Pompeii, but it's a long song and Roger Waters doesn't get to shine until near the end, but it's worth waiting for, I love it. There's also some great bass by Guy Pratt on the Pink Floyd Live Pulse concert, check out the live Pulse version of One of These Days.

[@shanebarnes-mu3ij]

I always found this song moving, it’s about a man being set upon by right wing thugs in the underground, while on the way home with take away food. Proper social commentary.The Jam were punk, Mod and just bloody good.

[@sspbrazil]

One of my favorite bands. Bruce is a great bass player.

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

Rancid's Black album is a bass Odessey...a real treat...

[@ericchristensen634]

By far my favorite Rancid album and I rarely hear that sentiment. That album has an edge that was completely unique to their catalogue.

[@Inzo42]

@@ericchristensen634which Rancid album is “the black album”?

[@cuckooflower]

@@Inzo42 Their 2000 self titled album. It sounds like Matt Freeman wrote it and everyone else is just playing along.

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

@@Inzo42 yeah rancid 2000 is self titled i believe

[@alexanderkantakusiniii8411]

@@cuckooflower young al capone and loki sound like Lars-y kinda songs...GGF might be my favorite rancid song...

[@Jettonx]

This song is such a vibe to play! Definitely a favourite of mine. Glad you’ve got round to this gem

[@tadbarker7082]

Jean-Jacques Burnell was undoubtedly the top bass player from the British punk & new wave bands. Listen to the Stranglers first 4 albums: ‘Rattus Norvegicus’, ‘No More Heroes’, ‘Black & White’ and ‘The Raven’. The band’s songs were uniquely built around the bass. On stage he moved in a different time signature to what he was playing… astonishing really.

[@jedpcuk]

I just discovered your channel and I love watching you discover the music of my youth! British 80’s music of all genres just remains the best, so diverse but so many amazing bassists :-)

[@jonathanmeare1123]

I'm off to see Bruce Foxton (bass player) in his new band 'from the jam' in a couple of weeks (all mod cons 45 year anniversary tour), last time I saw them (the jam) was in 1982 on their farewell tour (twice that year). From the jam are supported by the Purple Hearts, one of the mod revival bands you need to check out.

[@Willopops]

I clicked on this by accident & I’m glad I did. This is a classic from my youth. I’m not a musician, so it was interesting to hear you break it down. I hope you played it some more to take in the lyrics as well. So many good tracks by them: Going Underground, Start, Man In The Corner Shop, Dreams Of Children are just a few.

[@strumbolli]

Every Jam song has baselines like this. Listening to Jam records as a kid is how I learnt to play bass.

[@Poshbilly1]

Must have listened to this 100s of times over the years but as a non musician this has provided a whole new perspective.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Love it! Appreciate you!

[@realdocloco]

The Jam was the first band I saw live, early '78. And they made a HUGE impression on me! They were incredibly energetic on stage then. Later, they started playing more pop-orientated songs like this one, but always with Paul Weller's amazing songwriting.

[@PRODUCERMAT]

The loud piece at 12.15 on your video was intended to sound like a tube train passing through the station….. all very well orchestrated 😊

[@stephenhancock9507]

Bruce is in a band called "From the Jam" I've seen them 4/5 times and there just like watching The Jam great song choice and Bruce is one of the best bassists England has seen in my humble opinion, I'm glad you have now heard of The Jam

[@kevinwilliams1421]

I’m going to watch Bruce next month (from the jam) cannot wait seen them a few times still amazing

[@bartman58]

Reacting to News of the world next please.....the bass player sings that, and therefore completely changes the dynamics of the guitars, also, one of the best intros ever

[@her-osmith-aerosmithtribut3183]

Saw Bruce playing on Saturday and he’s absolutely awesome

[@fooman65]

The Mod revival was massive in England and bands like this influenced and inspired a whole new wave of musicians but not just musicians, the whole movement united countless teenagers. It's worth delving into the history for sure. Do The Stranglers, Nice n Sleazy

[@Paul-yh8km]

There's a lot of Jam to checkout. The Eton Rifles, Funeral Pyre, Going Underground, The Modern World, In The City, David Watts (cover), Start, All Mod Cons, Girl on the Phone, In the Crowd. The Jams lyrics often attacked the wealthy, the press, the upper class, politicians, political inaction etc.

[@timstolinski8683]

Love this song, thanks for doing this video. Worked on harmonics in my lesson last night so seeing this practical application was very helpful and timely.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Oh, awesome! They're one of my favorite embellishments to use on bass, and I think you'll find them to be a great tool for melodic songs!

[@Macdaddy418]

gotta hit up Bruce Thomas from Elvis Costello and the attractions. "Lipstick Vogue" is a great place to start. "everyday i write the book" is another although its bit more mellow, but an incredibly beautiful bassline

[@LowEndUniversity]

I’ve got “Pump It Up” on the list!

[@Kubino21]

@@LowEndUniversity Hey Mark, Pump It Up is great, but Lipstick Vogue is even better and I wholeheartedly recommend that you react to it instead. Bass on that track is incredible, crazy fast, and there is even a little bass solo thrown in there.

[@ryanhitchcock]

I was just listening to this song this morning and thinking about how great this bassline is. Great breakdown! I don't know if XTC and their bassist Colin Moulding are on your radar but they're another great British new wave/punk band to check out. "When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty" from their third album is a great one, but a later period song of theirs "Mayor of Simpleton" has a really cool Bach-inspired counterpoint bassline that I think you'd really dig. Also in the same realm "Concrete Jungle" by The Specials (Horace Panter) has a really cool driving bass part.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Awesome man, thanks so much! I definitely know of XTC, probably have heard a song or two, but not very familiar with them past that. I'll work them in soon!

[@perrylindsay6682]

first time watching, i was a mod in that small time period and the jam were brilliant but what surprised me with this and its obviously your job was the way you just picked up on the way he was playing the bass ,i would love to play any instrument but ill stick to to playing the pillows with my drumsticks for now😊 but great to see a musician just crack it so quick👌👍

[@traceyhart9607]

Sound of my youth saw The Jam live many times and still now Bruce is still touring with From The Jam.

[@darkpitcher5242]

whoa you are off into a huge rabbit hole fella Paul Weller is a genuine tour de force

[@jm252]

listen to The Associates - Club Country... Bonkers Bass Line! Nothing like it.... Awesome!

[@DennisNelson-ee2il]

One of my favourite songs of all time,by one of my favourite Band's.Used to see Bruce Foxton quite a lot,around where I live,and Paul Weller.Another Band you will like is Cardiacs,Big Ship is a good song to start with.It's aways more enjoyable when a muscian reacts to bands.

[@EartwisterTV]

Try Private Hell off the album Setting Sons, if you want some serious driving bass. Ps. Weller did hit his guitar a lot harder than that, but he, like many of his ilk at that time, hated miming and often appeared half hearted when having to do so on TV.

[@ac9110]

That was excellent and although I've known this song since its release, you've managed to point out some things I'd never noticed.

[@wishawweather5421]

Excellent breakdown of a classic tune. I was in a few bands in my younger days and I'd always tell the bassist to learn this foxton masterclass so we could play it on the road.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thanks friend! Love that, this feels like a blast to play live.

[@Upperroad4480]

If it wasn't for a photograph I saw when I was a mod,I wouldn't have known what a bass was.

[@zicowilco60]

I used to follow the JAM ..i was 17 in 1977 ..they became our friends 🧡

[@robinhope-xg7vw]

Best band of the day. Great memories watching them all place 👌🏾