Punk Turns 30

Paul Weller, whom I first saw perform with The Jam at the Whisky A Go Go in 1977, is releasing his eleventh solo album, entitled Sonik Kicks through Yep Roc records on March 26. Paul will return in the spring for his only scheduled appearances in North America this year. Weller and his band will perform at a two-night stand at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square, New York on May 18 th & 19 th . Tickets will go on sale this Friday, February 3rd at Noon EST and can be purchased from Ticketmaster or the Box Office. The Best Buy Theater is at 1515 Broadway. I used to work in that building, for VH1, where for many years, "punk" was a word not spoken... then, lo and behold, a series here and there, a decade retrospective or two, and we were programming the likes of Blondie and The Pretenders. The Jam headline over Johnny Cougar at the Whisky a Go Go in October 1977. Highlighted is the future Kid Congo Powers, right at the edge of the stage Click to watch the v...

Paul Weller, the stylish and legendary singer/songwriter who founded both The Jam and Style Council famously worked through his milestone [50th] birthday last year. His life and career were chronicled over the course of his turning 50 by Britain's UNCUT magazine. So, it is actually no surprise to me, the calendar watcher, that Weller's 51st birthday on May 25, went unsung - even by me. Those aren't the kind of anniversaries acknowledged by the Mod Father. On a more somber note, it is difficult to mark Paul Weller's recent entry into the 5-decade club with humor. Last month, the senior Weller, John, Paul's dad, who was very much a part of the Weller music machine since day one, passed away. They were best mates, father and son and manager and client... inseparable men who closed each hard day's night by sharing a pint. I recall sharing an evening at the bar with the Wellers - John, Paul and Paul's wife. It was October 2003 and Paul performed at NYC's ...

“When I was 18, I thought it’d all be over by the time I was 21,” Paul Weller tells us this month, looking back on a career that now spans more than 30 years. “At 18, 25 seemed like a lifetime away,” he adds. “Then before you know it, you’re 30. Then you’re 40. And all of a sudden, you’re 50.” In this instance, "us" would be Uncut Magazine and Paul Weller is the man on the cover... the in-depth feature inside. I have to say.... Paul - I know exactly what you're talking about! I am about six weeks older than Paul and it was my birthday the day I took that picture above. I remember it like it was yesterday and BOOM.... we're 50 now... well, it makes sense... I don't call this blog Punk Turns 30 for nothing.

Paul Weller The Jam played their first show in Los Angeles at the Whisky A Go Go. Do you know who opened the show? It was his birthday, this guy called "Johnny Cougar." Uh Huh. Yes, well, I had to write that because Uh Huh is the name of a Mellencamp album - the one where "Johnny Cougar" reverted back to his real name... Back in those days - well, actually, its still kind of an industry standard thing... both artists recorded for labels in the Polygram family. So, the label saved a bit of money on their ticket buy and killed two press birds with one stone by having these new artists play the same night at the same club. Not really a good match this time. Bruce Foxton Punk rock shows were happening with greater frequency at the Whisky and other venues around town. In fact, there was a punk rock show just about every night somewhere in Los Angeles by Autumn 1977. Just the previous two nights at the Whisky, The Zippers, Germs and Dickies played. Darby Cra...

Most days I think that apart from Eddie Baranek, I am the only person I know who LOVES The Jam and everything each of them has done since. But I'm happy to say that I am wrong! While reading the Goner Board, as I do all day long whilst my computer processes things, or my scanner is doing its thing, I read this post about a live Jam show download-able in its entirety at the Sailor Jerry blog. So I went there and downloaded all the tunes. I highly recommend you do too! I was also most impressed by the vintage in-concert photo of the band and the depth and breadth of the blog itself. I guess its time to take the plunge and get that mobile phone web access so I can read stuff like this while traversing this great big country by train, which I'm getting ready to do in just a few weeks. I don't know what else to say about the Jam that I haven't already said! But here is a recap: One ) They are a Power trio - all a band needs to be, really. Two) They draw from Exemplary...

In honor of Pleasant's birthday this weekend, I thought I'd share a little bit about the inner workings of the Lobotomy interview. Above, you can see Pleasant and Anna Statman (that's her back) in a room at the Continental Hyatt House (Riot House, as rock n roll guests called it) interviewing Rick Bucker, drummer for The Jam. That interview was conducted on my birthday in 1978... so I guess we're kind of doing a full circle thing today. Notice the spartan decor of the room. Notice the rotary dial phone. Notice the unmade beds. Rick was sharing a room with Bruce Foxton, who showed up at the end of the interview, along with Polydor label promo guy, Len Epand, who stopped for a goofing off photo op with Buckler. As we approach the anniversary of the Jam, Dickies, Eyes show at the erstwhile Starwood club, I'll post more pictures from that night... the game of darts at the Kings Head pub, more pictures from the double decker bus... Until then, enjoy the weeke...

The Jam headlined a sold-out show at the erstwhile Starwood club on April 14, 1978. I remember the date because it was my birthday. The record company pulled out all the stops this time around. The Lobotomy crew was pleased to be invited along for this gravy train. In addition to the photo opp in front of the London double decker bus, we actually got to take a ride on that bus from West Hollywood all the way to the Kings Head pub in Santa Monica where a full-on British fish n chips and mushy peas meal awaited us. Everyone got a chance to play darts with the band and somewhere along the line, I remember drunken choruses of "Happy Birthday" to me. Earlier in the day, Pleasant and Randy interviewed Jam drummer Rick Buckler in his hotel room, and I was along to take pictures. We also attended the soundcheck. We were in the midst of a most-welcome British Invasion of new music. The Spring of 1978 alone was jam-packed with what seemed like one fantastic show after anothe...