Friday 26 June 2015

THE JAM: ABOUT THE YOUNG IDEA. LAUNCH PARTY at SOMERSET HOUSE

Paul Weller and Martin Freeman
The Jam: About The Young Idea is a new comprehensive exhibition dedicated to one of Britain’s best loved bands. Or, in the words of Paul Weller’s father which greet entrants painted in huge letters, “The best fucking band in the world.” 

Whichever way you slice it, during their five-year and six-album recording career, The Jam achieved that rare balance of attaining huge commercial success whilst maintaining their integrity. Much has been written and said about Weller’s decision to split the band in 1982 but to have continued without his heart in it would have made a mockery of the band’s honesty and openness. It was the right thing to do and in keeping with their/his ethical code.

That doesn’t mean it’s not nice to have a little reminisce now and again this exhibition provides the perfect opportunity to reflect on those days. It also offers a look at what young Britain was like for many during the 1970s and early 80s. With the entire band and the Weller family opening their archive plus items from collector Den Davis, and curated by Nicky Weller, Tory Turk and Russell Reader it’s packed with memories.

The launch party was last night and thanks to Mrs Monkey’s contacts and the kindness of photographer Martyn Goddard and his wife Bev, we were in for an early view and to hobnob with an array of obvious and less-obvious guests. After passing Bar Italia Scooter Club’s line-up at the gates we wandered into the courtyard of Somerset House and a quick scan revealed, among others: Mick Talbot, Martin Freeman, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, the Strypes, Gem Archer, Mark Powell, Jeremy Vine, Steve Craddock, Paul Whitehouse, Mark Lamaar, Matt Berry, the grey haired bloke out of Phoneshop, some Mods, the occasional female and, wait for it, Trevor & Simon.

Yet the very first person we spotted was Bruce Foxton and naturally we nabbed him for a photo and asked what he thought of the exhibition. He still hadn’t been in to see it. Bruce, probably wary he was going to get accosted all night, wasn’t very chatty and appeared slightly disorientated so we left him alone before I could ask him to explain that “Freak” single. As a kid I always thought he was quite tall but he’s not, he just jumped high.

After a few glasses of champagne it was time to mooch around the exhibition. It had everything you’d expect: items of clothing (boating blazers, Union Jack jackets, suits, bowling shoes, “Eton Rifles” jacket, boxing boots etc); instruments (row of Rickenbackers including the Wham!, the red one with “I Am Nobody” scratched into the body, the black one, Bruce Foxton’s white bass from “Town Called Malice”, Rick Buckler's drum kit etc); posters, fanzines and music press front covers; photos, badges etc.

All well and good but the real treasure came in the early rooms (think there were six in total) which had gone through Paul Weller’s teenage drawers and uncovered his early dreams and schemes. Like many (guilty) he’d drawn himself in cartoon format (“The Adventures of Paul The Mod”); designed early ideas for imaginary single and album covers (guilty); sketched a row of Black Power fists (“Right On Brothers”); and made attempts at poetry and songs. These were circa 1972-3, when Weller was about fourteen. He had it all worked out but unlike most of us dreamers had the steely determination to see it through. The family photos and pictures of a kipper-tied Jam attempting to entertain working men's clubs are a treat too.  

Martyn Goddard was a photographer for Polydor (starting with Queen in 1973, luckily he moved onto better things...) and worked with The Jam all the way from In The City to Sound Affects and chatted us through some of his work: the picture of Bond Street tube station at midnight, the In The City wall, strolling down Carnaby Street, his own jukebox on the sleeve of Sound Affects which he still has and uses. Martyn said he knew right from the start the band were special as they had something about them and everything came directly from them. They weren’t controlled by managers or external forces, it was simply them and they knew what they wanted. Although Martyn saw them progress from new band with a debut record to a having records enter the charts at number one he didn’t really see a change in them as people. It was noticeable in Martyn’s images that although Weller was the creative driving force the photographs were always of the three of them. They – Paul, Bruce, Rick – were a band. Martyn suggested Paul felt strongly tied to the fact they were a band and that was a contributing factor in splitting to allow him greater freedom, unencumbered (my word, not Martyn’s) by the other two. I don't think there's any argument in that. More of his work can be seen in a separate exhibition, Golden Faces: Photographs of The Jam 1977-80 by Martyn Goddard at Snap Galleries and in a new book, Growing Up With The Jam.

I wouldn’t have put much money on Paul Weller attending the launch do but he was there. There were scores of Wellers in fact. Getting access to him was nigh on impossible though as he was scuttled in and then out by security. He did grab a few folk for a hug, a couple of photos, a photo opportunity with Martin Freeman - who rather than prepare for his forthcoming role as Steve Marriott had come as Max Headroom - and then off to a secret hideaway away from pestering acolytes desperate to touch the hem of his garment. Not sure about the blue lensed shades but he looked fit and well. I cannot answer Mrs Monkey’s query as to whether he uses a spray tan with any great authority.

Back outside and on to the free beer we had a good chat with Paul Cook about the Sex Pistols and their contribution to Britain’s history; working with Edywn Collins; and getting the Professionals back together (Cook and Steve Jones, not Bodie and Doyle). Author and man-about-town Mark Baxter and I chewed on the idea of an equivalent Style Council retrospective, something I put to Mick Talbot shortly afterwards (I can work fast sometimes).

Mick didn’t really think there would be much call for a Style Council exhibition in this country but Italy or Japan might be more accommodating. Ever the Internationalists the Style Council. Like Paul Cook, Mick wasn’t a hoarder of stuff but did have a few pieces knocking around. “Haven’t you got a pair of your old espadrilles in the bottom of a wardrobe?” Mick couldn’t confirm that. I should say this was the third time I’ve spoken with Mick and he’s always been interesting and good fun. He also spoke about playing on The Jam’s version of “Heatwave” (I love that version) and memories of joining the band at the Lyceum to do it live. He sounded like a Jam fan, just like the rest of us.

The Jam: About The Young Idea is at Somerset House, London. Open daily until 31 August 2015, admission £9.50.

Golden Faces: Photographs of The Jam 1977-80 by Martyn Goddard at Snap Galleries, 12 Piccadilly Arcade, SW1 from 1 July to 8 August 2015 (Tuesday to Saturday), admission free.

Details of Growing Up With… The Jam can be found here.   
From The Jam. Bruce Foxton's attempt at reforming the band aren't going to plan...

10 comments:

  1. Incredible piece sir! Not being able to get there having you describe is the next best thing!

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  2. Thanks a lot. Was a very quick sketch.

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  3. thanks for this, I'll try to get down to see it, I owe it to my teenage self.

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  4. Shame the £235 a head preview party for fans was such a con . I would wager that the media launch was a freebie , the biggest joke is the celeb fans who are not old enough to have even seen the jam live , bloody Hobbit

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  5. alright for some , shame about the real fans who paid £235 for the preview party , which was a complete let down , I suppose its ok for the free loading champagne socialists to get an invite to a decent party , even the ones too young to have even see the jam live , bloody Hobbit

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  6. I hear ya David. I take it you're talking about the book launch. Did seem like a ludicrous amount to fork out. For what? Would love to read a full report somewhere.

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  7. The Public Gets What The Public Wants…

    To celebrate the opening of this extraordinary exhibition, its organisers have chosen PledgeMusic – the fans’ choice – to allow fans a special and unprecedented opportunity to enjoy VIP access to the exhibition.

    Fan Preview Party – Saturday 27th June 6.30 – Late
    A limited number of tickets will be offered for fans to beat the queues and enjoy an exclusive Preview Party. Special guests, including the organisers and the curators, will be on hand to chat and guide the guests around the exhibition.

    Included in the package:
    VIP Laminate Pass
    Admission for one person to the evening event, plus refreshments
    Limited edition souvenirs including a programme, poster and a badge set, and additional exclusive print shot and signed by Martyn Goddard, all presented in a specially designed Jam gift bag.
    Plus the unique opportunity to see the first ever showing of the recently discovered unseen video footage of The Jam

    Exhibition tours by exhibition curators Nicky Weller, Tory Turk, Russell Reader and advisor Gary Crowley. Den Davis, whose collection will feature prominently in the exhibition, will also be on hand to talk about his collection.

    Also in attendance for the evening will be Bill Smith (designer of The Jam logo), photographer Martyn Goddard, and taking snaps of the occasion will be Jam photographer Derek D’Souza. Other special guests to be announced shortly

    ‘The Jam: About The Young Idea’ at Somerset House runs from 26 June – 31 August 2015. General admission tickets can be purchased via the Somerset House website: https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/
    As you can see from the above it sounds good , what actually happened is as below
    1. It wasn't an exclusive preview as the exhibition was open to the public before this event took place
    2. No body was introduced to us apart from Nicky Weller , no body offered to guide us around the exhibition.
    3. The VIP treatment consisted of a bottle of beer & a glass of fizz on arrival and nibbles were offered by wandering staff , which included single prawns on a cocktail stick , mini burgers , smaller than a £2 coin , some miniscule tartlets & some mushroom ball in breadcrumbs , also very small. There was a free bar which ran out of beer & closed at 9.00pm
    4.The advertised time of the event was 6.30 -- late , we didn't enter the exhibition until 8.50 & were surprised to be shown the door at 9.30 , meaning we couldn't enjoy the exhibition as we didn't get to see it all , the video screens were turned off while people were still watching , I believe the last people left the event at 9.45 , but were only later than us because they were waiting for their gift bags. 9.30 is not late
    5.In the advert there is mention of special guests , it even goes on to say '' special guests to be announced shortly'' . The carrot was dangled & we fell for it , no special guests were announced & none turned up
    6. They couldn't even get the gift bags right as there were two items missing , although Den Davis has promised to sort this .
    The £235 ticket price was , in my opinion a rip off & if I had known what we were really going to get , I wouldn't have gone , I didn't go for the merchandise , I went for the experience & to add to some fantastic memories from over thirty years ago whilst following The Jam.
    Now all I have is a sour taste , we were badly let down

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  8. Thanks for taking the time David. That really does sound like a very poor return for such a huge amount of money. Worth contacting the organisers?

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  9. Interesting review and went to this at the weekend - Money for old rope - £19 for me and the Mrs. and in there for about 15 minutes - probably have more memorabilia up the attic - Was up to see Classic Quad in the Royal Albert Hall and would have been really pissed if I have traveled up just to see this!!! Dig the new breed indeed!!

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  10. Nineteen quid for two was a bargain in comparison to 235 quid for one (see above) but I take your point - seen a couple of exhibitions before in those rooms which were free.

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