The Jam v's The Clash?

[DJ]

I wasn't a huge fan of either at the time they where popular, however have been listening to both recently, I know which ones I prefer, just wondering what the general consensus of opinion is!?

 

[Fnaar]

The Clash. I know they were pretentious pillocks, I just never really "got" the Jam, apart a couple of singles. There was always something a bit worthy about them. And the contrived mod thing just set my teeth on edge. Sorry Fnaar!

I'll let you off... the Clash were pretty damn good too, in my book

 

[mondobongo]

Both were fantastic bands though for me The Clash just shade it. The Jam didn't just produce some great singles they made great albums with the stand out for me being Setting Sons Smithers and Jones is one of my favourite Jam songs. The Jam like The Clash used Punk as a springboard to launch themselves.

For me The Clash had everything the songs the anger and the swagger.

One thing is certain we will never get anyone like either of them again.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

One thing is certain we will never get anyone like either of them again.

That's just a sign that you don't make enough of an effort to seek out the good stuff that is out there.
I never really got either The Jam or The Clash. Both a bit too mainstream for my taste.

 

[papercorn2000]

The Clash

But an honourable showing by The Jam.

 

[yello]

I personally preferred The Jam but recognise The Clash as a great band....they just weren't my thing, though I did like a couple of tracks.

Sorry to be a bit of an grumpy old sod here but you really don't need to have a preference. It's perfectly acceptable to like both bands (or neither!) equally for different reasons, they might both fulfil different needs. One doesn't always need to decide something!

 

[ChrisKH]

Neither. Everyone was into one or t'other. I can honestly say I didn't tick the right boxes at that time.

 

[Chris James]

The critics seem to much prefer the Clash, somehow being viewed as more 'real' than the Jam. (This despite Joe Strummer actually being the son of a diplomat, and educated at a boarding school, rather than the urban class warrior he liked to pretend to be).

I quite like both, although I am not keen on the Clash's experiments with reggae beats. I find that all a bit embarrassing to be honest.

Both bands produced some great songs. I prefer The Jam but that is probably because I loved them as a kid. In fact Dig the New Breed was the first album I bought. I just had a quick look at wikipedia and it says that Paul Weller declined a CBE, which I respect too.

 

[Mr Pig]

The Jam, hands down in my opinion. I just think that both their music and lyrics were a lot better.

 

[Dave5N]

The Clash. I was a massive fan of The Jam as a nipper, but listening to them now, I caouldn't hand on heart say they have really stood the test of time.

 

[mr Mag00]

The Jam, just something i grew up with never really got the clash. no they will never reform i Paul said he doesnt look back, doesnt do nostalgia.

 

[yello]

Paul said he doesnt look back, doesnt do nostalgia.

I bet he would if he had a huge tax bill to pay!

 

[Fnaar]

If Weller ever joins the other Jam members, hell will have frozen over first. He refers to Rick Buckler as "the drummer", and although he had a chat with Foxton when the latter's wife was ill (think she died, not sure), there has apparently been no contact in years. "From the Jam" are coining a bit of the nostalgia market (Foxton, Buckler + a guitarist and a singer). Foxton is apparently a bit 'up himself' these days, and he refused to have the re-formed Secret Affair on tour as support... too good, I guess!

 

[4F]

For me The Jam just shade it.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

the music of the clash transcends its era better imho. the jam's legacy is also slightly tainted by weller's post-jam output, not to mention the fact that he seems a bit too far up his own arse for my liking.

both greats though.