Bruce Foxton’s third studio album ‘Smash the Clock’ has given the former The Jam bass player his first solo Top 40 entry.
As revealed by The Official Charts today, ‘Smash The Clock’ has entered the UK album chart at number 31 following its release on May 20th. The album has also entered the independent album chart at number 4, whilst the vinyl edition entered the vinyl chart at number 7. Co-written with Bruce’s From The Jam band-mate Russell Hastings, the record features guest appearances from Paul Weller, Wilko Johnson and Paul Jones and was recorded at Weller’s Black Barn studios.
“Russell and I are incredibly proud to be in the charts. Thanks to all who have bought the album. It is a great achievement all round” said Bruce today.
Bruce was last in the Top 40 (with a new studio album) in 1982 with The Jam’s number 1 album ‘The Gift’. ‘Smash The Clock’ was released through Bruce and Russell’s own record label ‘Bass Tone Records’. Like Bruce’s last full length ‘Back In The Room’ (2012), ‘Smash The Clock’ was crowd-funded through Pledge Music, with a campaign in which fans could purchase items such as handwritten lyrics, signed CDs, LPs, artwork, etc. The band say “its success was made possible by you the public getting involved, for which we can’t thank you enough.”
Bruce has stated that the meaning of the title ‘Smash The Clock’ is simply that “good music is ageless and timeless”. Described as “spirited, catchy and likeable” by TheArtsDesk and as “power-pop perfection” by Vive Le Rock, ‘Smash The Clock’ captures From The Jam’s inimitable live energy on record. Driving bass riffs sit beneath layers of inventive guitar parts, piano, brass, and each chorus feels like it is tailor-made for a crowded venue to sing their hearts out to.
From The Jam have gained a reputation for the kind of incendiary live performances that sealed the reputation of The Jam all those years ago. On their ‘The Public Gets What The Public Wants’ tour they play classic The Jam hits such as Down In The Tube Station At Midnight, Going Underground and Town Called Malice. Their acoustic ‘That’s Entertainment’ tour gives fans the opportunity to hear those songs in a stripped down form. In late 2016 they’ll be launching their ‘As and Bs’ tour, which will include rare tracks from The Jam’s back catalogue.
See www.brucefoxton.com for tour dates
