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THE JAM

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HOW THEY WROTE THE SONG

‘Places were being decimated’: How The Jam wrote Town Called Malice

EXTRACT: Perhaps it began here: The Jam hitting that famous Motown groove during an improvisation session, twirls of cigarette smoke rising from ashtrays, smiles appearing on lips. CONTINUE READING >>

by David Rea

31 January 2026

ESSAY

‘The Sixties are our heritage’: How the Jam invented Britpop’s ethos

Critics couldn't take the Jam seriously at first, claiming they were just a bunch of gimmicks. But their ‘hail your heroes’ ethos was entirely authentic, setting the blueprint for Britpop two decades later.

by David Rea

20 September 2025

Three men sitting at a restaurant table, drinking tea or coffee, with condiments and utensils on the table.