JAM, THE
AWAY FROM THE NUMBERS

The Jam formed in Woking, Surrey in 1972, first taking shape around schoolmates Paul Weller on guitar and vocals, Steve Brookes on guitar and Rick Buckler on drums. Early rehearsals and tentative gigs saw several bassists come and go before Bruce Foxton joined in 1974, completing the classic trio that would soon define a new era of sharp-edged British pop with a punk attitude, influenced by mod music and soul-driven ambition.

The first thirteen tracks on this collection capture the band in its formative moments, recorded between 1975 and 1976 in Surrey and London, with the demos broadcast on local radio to garner early exposure. Rough, energetic and often strikingly different from the sound they would later refine, these recordings reveal a group still wrestling with influences, experimenting freely and discovering its own identity. While these early tracks draw inspiration from American rock and roll, their raw charm and unfamiliar feel make them rare glimpses into The Jam’s earliest creative sparks.

The remaining tracks present a set of broadcast rarities drawn from live performances between 1980 and 1982. These seldom heard cover versions show The Jam paying tribute to the music that inspired them, reshaping songs with the urgency, precision and spirit that defined their live show. Long overlooked, these obscurities stand as important pieces of the band’s story.