From The Jam: Bruce Foxton & Russell Hastings return with new single and album


FOXTON & HASTINGS 

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT’ 

OCTOBER 28 2022 

PREORDER HERE 

FIRST SINGLE ‘LULA’ OUT 1ST SEPTEMBER 

Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings team up once again to release their third album together ‘The Butterfly Effect’ out October 28th. 

Active from 1972-1982, The Jam created a legacy that would cement themselves as one of the all-time great British bands. The classic lineup consisted of frontman Paul Weller, drummer Rick Buckler and bassist Bruce Foxton, who carried on their legacy by forming From The Jam in 2007 with Buckler and new vocalist Russell Hastings. Created to tour the iconic back catalogue and ensure its continued relevance, the lineup has undergone a few changes over time, but the songs remain the same. With Foxton & Hastings writing and recording original music, this material has gained widespread acclaim of its own. Following on from previous albums ‘Back in the Room’ and ‘Smash The Clock’, the duo are set to return with ‘The Butterfly Effect’, displaying a growing maturity to their song writing and a renewed sense of confidence. 

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.’ That sense of fun is a recurring theme throughout the 12 tracks, with the duo bringing together their influences for a familiar-sounding record and a journey through various genres. Described by Foxton as ‘a collection of very melodic songs, with very different angles, yet it all ties together’, the tracks range from 60s pop to 70s Motown and Americana on an album full of future classics.

Serving as the lead single from the album, the addictive ‘Lula’ is described by Hastings as ‘A catchy pop song about a spoilt woman who seemingly has everything yet has nothing.’ This standout track succeeds in capturing a summer vibe, thanks in part to a blistering saxophone solo from Tony ‘Rico’ Richardson. 

The pair demonstrate their capability of packing a punch with ‘Circles’, pure power pop that showcases the energy of the band. This vigour is apparent also on ‘Two Of Us’, which Hastings labels ‘a nod to Quadrophenia’. The ‘sha-la-la’ repeats and loud, ringing guitars instantly takes you back to a time of mods vs rockers and heady sunny days in Brighton. 

The Motown influences come through with ‘Time On Your Side’, complete with brass work from Nicky Madern and jaunty Hammond organ chords. The chorus, accompanied by fun vocal harmonies and handclaps, is one of the strongest on the album.

Yet for all the assuredness this album presents, a softer side comes forward with the plaintive and delicate ‘Rain’, showcasing a wistful and soul-baring set of lyrics set to gently fingerpicked guitars and quieter vocals. The equally stirring ‘Too Old to Cry’ also brings strings into the mix, reminiscing on past times and voicing hope for the future with the refrain of ‘Things are getting much better’. 

The duo both name The Beatles as a huge influence on their work – no more is this apparent on the lively closing track ‘Anything You Want’ with its bouncy rhythm and psychedelic ending. Recording the vocals for this track unknowingly with covid, Hastings’ voice nevertheless shines and brings the album to a rousing end.

The band’s working partnership was formed back in 2006 when The Jam’s drummer Rick BucklerRussell Hastings and well-known Jam bass player Bruce Foxton took the back catalogue out on the road to incredible success. Rick left the band back in 2009 and Bruce and Russell were joined by Big Country drummer Mark Brzezicki. Mark continued for five years and then Mike Randon the current drummer took over duties on the kit. The band have gone from strength to strength playing the biggest venues in the UK and across Australia, Japan and New Zealand.

The new album ‘The Butterfly Effect’ is due out on 28 October. Pre-order here. 

UK TOUR DATES 2022/2023: 

September: 

Thursday 15th – White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Friday 16th – Revelation, Ashford

Thursday 22nd – ‘That’s Entertainment’ – Lowther Pavilion, Lytham

Friday 23rd – City Hall, Hull

Tuesday 27th – The Tivoli, Wimborne

Wednesday 28th – The Great Hall, Exeter

Friday 30th – Great British Alt Fest, Skegness

October: 

Monday 3rd, Tuesday 4th & Wednesday 5th – The Crooked Billet, Stoke Row (acoustic)

Friday 7th – Dorking Halls, Dorking

Saturday 8th – Chepstow Racecourse

Friday 14th – UEA, Norwich

Saturday 15th – The Spa, Scarborough

Friday 28th – KK Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

Saturday 29th – The Foundry, Sheffield

November: 

Friday 5th – The Great Hall, Gillingham

Saturday 12th – Beckett Theatre, Leeds

Friday 18th – Town Hall, Cheltenham

Saturday 19th – The Great Hall, Cardiff

Friday 25th – Empire, Coventry

Saturday 26th – Rock City, Nottingham

Sunday 27th – After The ‘Storm (as part of WinterStorm 2022), Troon – with The Skids and Big Country

December: 

Friday 2nd – G Live, Guildford

Saturday 3rd – Brighton Centre

Friday 9th – indigo at the O2

January: 

Friday 20th – The Forum, Bath

Saturday 21st – Corn Exchange, Cambridge

Friday 27th – Usher Hall, Edinburgh

March: 

Friday 10th – Boiler Shop, Newcastle

Saturday 11th – Town Hall, Middlesbrough

Friday 24th – Barbican, York

Saturday 25th – Engine Shed, Lincoln

Friday 31st – Town Hall, Birmingham