They were the modfathers of the Punk era. They were also considered one of the last great singles bands. They were definitely cool. And if you haven't heard of them, I suggest you go and check em out. But especially if you're a fan of the Punk/New Wave era.

"This is the modern world....."

Do you think bands like The Jam could survive today?

I miss hearing stuff like this-something not so easily disposable.

It's not like I've romanticized New Wave (could be part of it of course), but there needs to be more artistry or at least something that makes people feel something.



(I want a New Wave reunion special.)

subhuman09 said:

I like the way you think. But can we say that it will happen? I mean, let's be realistic.

Never hurts to dream at least.

I think there's elements in all these bands that have been borrowed to make some bands that are out now as popular as they are.

I seem to see elements in The Hives and bands like that of older bands that wouldn't have the same presentation if it wasn't for New Wave among other eras.

Plus, you should know by now I'm no friend of reality!

subhuman09 said:

Of course. There's a bit of a New Wave revival going on in Alternative Rock in these days and times. Some of it is good, and some of it is just the band completely losing the plot. But I'm glad that people are still getting inspired by the New Wave era. I figured I'd like a genre that people would now cringe at. Like Hair Metal.

Hair metal has its own special place in hell reserved for people that leave those chinese menus on doors and Michael Bolton.

It's without any sort of artistic value whatsoever-New Wave always seemed to me to bring in that art school mentality and in incorporate it into making new sounds, that people either love or hate. I've rarely found someone that is in between when it comes to New Wave.

People that might cringe, and after The Wedding Singer soundtrack for example I doubt there'd be many just don't get it, or don't want to. New Wave is definitely much more than an 80's thing, it's to me at least a mentality in how to present music.

I think now if there were more directly influenced New Wave style bands with technology being the way it is and everyone having their own home studios the albums could be incredible.

I've always loved the fact that it wasn't limited by rules (like how in metal for years you weren't metal if you cut your hair-which is bullshit) it's all in how you approach your instrument and make your own sounds.

That to me makes New Wave one of the more romantic eras because how naive artists were in their execution sometimes. They weren't setting out to change anything, just doing what they did and stumbled upon magic.

Bands today could learn more and make it more about music and less about the easy sell of a gimmick.

Should we change this to the "I LOVE NEW WAVE!" thread?

NWF said:

I grew up listening to The Jam. They were great at the time, especially from "All Mod Cons" onwards. "The Gift" may have its flaws, but it's still a great album. The Style Council had their moments (mostly confined to singles), but Paul Weller's solo career has been predictable and very very boring since "Wild Wood".

I LOVE the Jam. I just watched the Complete Jam DVD yesterday. It's really too bad that so few people dig them. I think the three albums they released from '78-'80 rank among the best ever, by anyone. And of course they had many great singles and great B-Sides too. I wasn't a huge fan of the Gift album (mostly the horns bugged me) but it's still a pretty good album. It's a damn shame they split so early but at least they never released anything awful as many bands who stay together for too long end up doing.

Shapeshifter said:

How can you say that? You can not catch him on delivering an album that's below average eversince.....ever seen him live & acoustic? I guess the only thing you can say is that he went from 'punk'- to 'singer-songwriter'-style.

abierman said:

I think shapeshifter was right. I think Weller's solo career has been pretty boring. He's seems stuck in a '60s Traffic type sound. His albums are reasonably consistent, but not very interesting. I should say that I have a huge bias as a huge fan of the Jam. I don't think anything he could ever do will top what he did with them. But I think he could try branching out a bit. He's had the same basic sound for almost 15 years.

rialb said:

The dude is old, I guess you can say that. He was very (too?) young during the time of The Jam, it is obvious that he will never have that 'freshness' again. Still, Weller's solo-career as well as The Style Council have been very enjoyable for me, he's a great performer.



Funny people never say that when it comes to the careers of i.e. The Rolling Stones.....
[Edited 9/18/04 14:14pm]

subhuman09 said: