The iconic punk band may have broken up in 1982, but it lives on today in the form of From The Jam.
Originally formed by Bruce and The Jam drummer Rick Buckler, the spin-off lives on today and celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
The 62-year-old bassist continues the band’s legacy with Russell Hastings on vocals and have now released From The Jam Live! to celebrate the last decade.
On the new record, Bruce said: “We’ve picked a selection of shows, both from a playing point of view and the audience reactions, and put together the live album. It captures what From The Jam are about.
Of course it hasn’t all be an easy ride for The Jam and its spin-off, with a couple of notable break ups. On the original 1982 split, Bruce revealed how it hit him hard.
He said: “Emotionally, I was very upset because we were at the top of the charts. We were performing really well. Just disappointed.
“It’s a shame. If we had lasted I don’t know where it could have gone. But I do think it was too early. We still had a lot to offer.”
But then in 2007, while Paul Weller was busy with his solo work, he teamed up again with drummer Rick to form From the Jam.
He continued: “When Rick was in From The Jam we really took the decision seriously, should we be doing this or not? And we got into rehearsals and we were doing those songs justice. Rick and myself said, ‘Yeah let’s go out, we can perform these and not damage the credibility of them.’
But then just two years later, out of the blue, Rick sent an email to Bruce telling him he was leaving the band.
However Bruce still has no idea to this day why, explaining: “If I knew that, I’d tell ya. It’s as simple as that. It’s a bit embarrassing really because I don’t know. I treated Rick as an equal, there was no hierarchy.
“It was a shame because it was going really well. We haven’t actually spoken since. But I don’t bear any grudge and wish him all the best.”
Meanwhile Bruce continues to have a good relationship with Paul and wishes that Rick could be apart of that.
He added: “We’re friends, but it’s a shame because Rick should be in that circumstance as well.”
THE JAM’S RICK BUCKLER: ‘PAUL WELLER DOESN”T WANT A REUNION STEALING HIS THUNDER’
From The Jam are currently touring the UK, continuing into 2018. Date and ticket information can be found here.
From the Jam Live! is out now.