Cumby on Fri the 16th March 2007
BIG thanks to The New Age Jam for playing the Cumby on Fri the 16th March they came only for door money but i should not have worried because they have a strong following and by 8 o;clock we had almost 100 people in;-)) and was good to see a few of my old mates in cheers lads:-) so the stage was set and then the band came on :-) on first imprecision's the singer is a double of Paul Weller in looks and sounds like him and even sets his guitar sound up just like him although a bit loud of a stage sound.
I still managed to keep his vocal above the band as his singing style was quite powerful and at times overloaded the mike but with a bit of a mix was able to make it sound OK although i would say to him maybe he should stand back off the mike at times to make it easier for his sound guy ;-)) the other band members played all the songs note for note although they played a couple maybe a bit fast as the energy of the audience was carrying them away.although the other band members were not look alike and you got the impression that they were the backing for the front man they did a great job.
The place went mad wen they played all the jam classics and in between the classics they played a few Paul Weller tracks and by looking around everyone was singing out loud it the audience were having a great time and with the sound and lights everyone could have been mistaken for the real thing :-)) it not till you see this that you realise that it is the music that matters not the personalities if you like the jam music then this is the band for you their following will make you welcome :-))
A review from The BBC 'The Stockton Riverside festival'
The many moods of the Modfather were up next as the Paul Weller Trilogy swaggered on stage.
With a voice to match the former Jam and Style Council front man himself we were taken through the legends brilliant back-catalogue including ‘You Do Something to Me’, ‘Wild Wood’, ‘That’s Entertainment’ and ‘The Changing Man’.
"A Coming together of ages"
Reviewed by The Collective Magazine Oct issue
The new age Jam's superb performance at Darlington's new music venue centre The Forum brought a diverse crowd to appreciate the sounds of the Mod revivalists, who to a man wished they could be like David Watts.It was pogo down memory lane for the older crowd(screaming out numerous choruses of "we are the mods...we are.we are. we are the mods!" a la Quadrophenia, and for the younger it was a near a chance as possible to hear The Jam's original sound live. The Tribute band played with consummate ability and with no small measure of genuine enthusiasm to a packed Forum performance room.
In two sets and a encore their sound was true to the original and their energy infectious, the crowd baying for the classics and being reminded of the whole of The Jam's repertoire as they mixed in some of the lesser known, but no less appreciated numbers.
The crowd was in full flow from start to finish, creating a powerful atmosphere to match the strong, full sound from the Forums newly installed sound system. Mark "Paul Weller" delivered The Jam's numerous hits, from Down in the Tubestaion at Midnight through a stunning rendition of In the City, stopping off in A Town Called Malice, with a authentic swagger and a suitably husky voice, and was matched word for word and for gusto by the assorted Jam appreciators. On a night primed with Fire and Skill the encore began with Eton Rifles and epitomised the tone of the gig, powered out clear and note perfect to the sell out crowd leaping and singing as if they were listening to the original band.As with any act of this calibre, the audience was left clamouring for more.
Camber Sands Scooter Rally 2003
The new age Jam who for their part provided a well polished performance. "AS GOOD AS IT GETS FOR A TOP TRIBUTE BAND"
Carry on Kemping Eastfield Scooter rally Sept 2003
By the evening the marquee were packed with a huge crowd present to watch a Knackered Dukesy take a rest to allow The new age Jam take to the stage.Now I don't much like The Jam, and like tribute bands even less. In fact I can' see the point in pulling off good DJ'S to replace with bands. However I will eat Humble Pie on this occasion, because this lot were very, very good indeed, HIGHLEY PROFESSIONAL, In fact as tribute bands go i rank them as the best around at the moment. The dance floor was packed through there set."Well done Boys"
Bands Go Down a Storm at Forum
Review by Kate Staines Hambleton Leisure Centre
More than 200 people packed into the Forum to see the 130-minute sets.
New Age Jam is nationally recognised as one of the best Jam tribute bands around - and with Mark Simpson playing a frighteningly accurate Paul Weller (in looks as well as voice) it's not hard to see why.
Paul Anderson (Bruce Foxton) was spot on with bass and drummer, Kev Bacon, (Rick Buckler) performed with great enthusiasm and energy.
All the Jam classics were there – Going Underground, Down in the Tube Station at Midnight and Strange Town. Add to them the distinctive A Town Called Malice and The Eton Rifles and the audience was going wild as each track was played out as accurately as the one before it.
Listening to the Rickenbacker guitars - used along with Vox amps to recreate that distinctive sound - it was hard to believe it wasn't 1977 again with the real Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler in the room.
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A review by ED. WAUGH -
Tribute good as real thing
There are two essential aspects to a sucsessfull tribute band:- Firstly to acknowledge a group that people want to hear and secondly to sound like the band in question. A third factor to look like your heroes helps, but it's not that crucial.
The new age Jam meet all three criteria, trust me.
As someone who saw The Jam five times between 1977 and 1981 these boys are the nearest you'll get to the real thing.
Nationally hailed as one of the best in the business, the lads from Teeside have built a large following throughout this region, with South Shields being one of there favourite areas.
The brilliance of Paul Weller is laid bare in The new age Jam's energetic set.
From 1977's In the City through to 1982's The Gift, taking in A Bomb in Wardour St, Down In the Tube station, Strange Town and many more Classics. And what a high to finish on, The Distinctive riff to A Town Called Malice sent the place wild.
Thank you Paul Weller, and Thank You The new age Jam.
ED. WAUGH
South Shields Gazzette
