Guitarist and singer Russell Hastings is living the dream, performing songs by his boyhood heroes the Jam in From the Jam with the band’s original bassist Bruce Foxton.

He tells Andy Gray why stepping into Paul Weller’s stylish shoes held few fears for him.

How did From the Jam evolve?

I’d struck-up a friendship with the Jam’s original drummer, Rick Buckler and we toured for a year as The Gift. One night we were on the same bill as Bruce Foxton [The Jam bass player], who was in another band and he joined us for a couple of Jam tunes. A week later, we met-up and said “let’s do this”. We had no management, just four band members. Then a US company got in touch and put a tour together.

Any trepidation about filling Jam lead singer Paul Weller’s shoes, as it were?

I knew if I thought about it for too long I might not do it, so I grabbed the bull by the horns. Any concerns I might’ve had were quickly overcome by the thrill of being able to step-up on stage and perform those great songs. I consider it a great achievement – one I’d have kicked myself for missing. I was a big fan of the Jam growing up and went to loads of gigs.

The majority of songs are Paul’s, what does he think about From the Jam?

Paul seems cool with it. He played on a couple of songs on Bruce’s latest album which we recorded at Paul’s studio. Paul’s someone who likes to move forward and his success continued after the Jam – with the Style Council through to his solo career. I understand why he’s happy not to revive the past.

Your vocal bears an uncanny resemblance to Paul’s. Is that by accident or design?

It’s by chance that I sound like Paul. If I’d turned-up originally sounding like Barry Gibb, Bruce and Rick would’ve been asking, ‘what’s all this about?’ My voice is based on how I remember those songs being sung.

How do you classify From the Jam? 'Tribute band' doesn’t seem to fit the bill.

I liken it to when Queen lost Freddie Mercury. Paul Rodgers became the singer and the cog in the wheel that enabled Queen to function. That’s how I see myself – a component in the Jam. We’re amazed at the amount of young people in their teens and 20s that come to our gigs and know every word to the songs. If they go away and pick up a guitar on the strength of what they’ve seen, then it can only be a positive thing. It’s testament to the Jam’s continuing popularity.

What would your teenage-self have said had he known he would become bandmates and friends with his heroes?

He would’ve completely flipped – not been able to believe it. It’s mind-blowing. Bruce and I are like brothers. I count myself extremely lucky.

DETAILS

From the Jam’s acoustic show will be at the Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford on Friday November 4. Support on the night comes from Sheppey band Jel.

For tickets visit themickjaggercentre.com

STORY OF THE JAM

The Jam formed in Woking in the early 1970s, consisting of Paul Weller on guitar and lead vocals, Bruce Foxton on bass and Rick Buckler on drums.

Signed by Polydor Records in 1977, Weller wrote most of the group’s hits, including Going Underground, Town Called Malice, Start, Eton Rifles and Beat Surrender.

After six studio albums and four No.1 singles, Weller disbanded the group in December 1982, going on to form the Style Council and then pursue a successful solo career.

In 2006, Buckler formed a band named the Gift playing material from the Jam with Russell Hastings. Foxton joined as bass guitarist and in 2007 the group was renamed From The Jam. The current line-up consists of Foxton and Hastings on lead vocal and guitar, and Mark Brzezicki of Big Country on drums.