The latest reunion tour from across the pond rolled into town recently with very little fanfare due to the fact that neither of these punk legends ever managed to make a big splash in The States first time around. (Hugh Cornwell once penned a Stranglers song reflecting this frustrating state of affairs, cynically titled ‘Big in America’).

Despite the lack of hype, this was a gig I’d been looking forward to for a while, as had the sea of beer-bellied and salt-&-pepper haired ex-mods, decked out in fishtail parkas, targets, and pork pie hats.

Opener Hugh Cornwell sauntered onto a dimly lit stage with his two cohorts and proceeded to tell us he was a bit miffed that he wasn’t billed outside on the hoarding. He introduced himself as H.C. from The Stranglers, who were around about the same time as the great fire of London - which is where most of their records got destroyed, but he was still here, although slightly charred.

The three piece then launched into the early Stranglers classic, ‘Get a (Grip) on Yourself’. The stripped down sound was a far cry from the pomp and fanfare of the Stranglers but that unmistakable voice still sent a shiver. The sultry Caroline Campbell did an excellent job filling the formidable boots of JJ Burnell on bass, as well as managing to keep the predominantly male audience focused on the stage for the entire set. That familiar JJ sound of a woody Fender played with a pick kept the audience bouncing along as Hugh strummed and crooned his way through such classics as ‘Peaches’, ‘Nice & Sleazy’, ‘Down in the Sewer’, and ‘Bear Cage’ along with some of his more recent solo efforts. Some of the old snarl and anger was missing from the delivery, as were Dave Greenfield’s Doors inspired organ solos, but these mellower, stripped down Stranglers songs were well received nevertheless.

Onto the main event, From The Jam, featuring two thirds of the original Jam, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton. Apparently front man and chief songwriter Paul Weller was courted but flatly refused - not surprising considering it was he who broke the band up in the first place in order to expand his musical horizons and get more in touch with his feminine side through the Style Council.
Weller then went on to become a musical legend and inspiration to such artists as Oasis and Arctic Monkeys, while Foxton and Buckler were left hanging out to dry along with legions of distraught Jam fans. Until now that is.

To fill the void, the boys drafted in guitarist/Keyboardist Dave Moore and new singer Russell Hastings who sounds, strangely, more like Weller than the great man himself. God only knows where they found him, rumour has it he was a former contestant on Stars in their Eyes. Either way, the old chemistry was back and it was all systems go as the band tore through their back catalog from soup to nuts. ‘In the City’, , ‘Mr Clean’, ‘David Watts’, ‘So Sad About Us’, ‘Eton Rifles’, ‘Strange Town’ and on and on.

Bruce Foxton, looking sharp as ever and in effervescent form, bounced around like a teenager on speed. He even managed a few trademark aerial splits, which he had to work up to. (I think the big one came during ‘Start’).

Shaven headed Rick Buckler looked more like my old geography teacher as he beat out those old familiar rhythms, obviously having the time of his life. Singer Hastings did an excellent job but respectfully allowed Foxton to command the stage in Weller’s absence.
This was a Jam concert alright, and they delivered to the boisterous approval of a teary-eyed crowd of nostalgic fans. It must have been satisfying for the boys to finally get some of the long overdue recognition that was so often credited solely to Paul Weller. Truly a night to remember for the band and fans alike.