Russell Hastings from From The Jam spreads some rock tales about his life to FLICKY HARRISON

A YOUNG Russell Hastings could never have imagined what the future would bring when he stood watching the last ever gig of his musical heroes, The Jam, at an emotionally-charged concert in Brighton in 1982.

Today Russell is lead singer and guitarist alongside Bruce Foxton (former bass player with The Jam) in the rock band called From The Jam.

“I have often said how far it was from my mind on that day, and now Bruce is my best friend. We have just returned from Barbados on holiday with both our families.

“People laugh because we travel a lot together and then choose to go on holiday together, but on holiday we had separate houses and just touched base to play golf, although this time I had tennis elbow, so I have literally just had an injection. It’s a bit stiff but I will still be able to play guitar.’’

Russell and Bruce co-wrote their last album, From The Clock, which made the top 30 of the UK charts, entered the independent charts at number four and the vinyl chart at number 7. It was recorded in (lead singer of The Jam) Paul Weller’s Black Barn studios.

“I have met Paul on a few occasions. His studio has success dripping off the walls so I am hoping it will rub off. He played on a couple of our tracks - he was on piano and I was showing him the song.

“He is a nice guy to be around and he is happy on his home ground. It was a lovely and comfortable studio with village shops that make nice sandwiches!

“It was great to go for a walk in the country and come back feeling refreshed,’’ said Russell.

The Jam hat trick for Russell was when he played with Rick Buckler in a band called The Gift, and during one of their concerts in 2006 in Guildford, Bruce jumped up on stage to do a spot with them. That became the start of From The Jam.

“At that time Bruce was playing with The Casbah Club alongside Simon Townshend, Pete (The Who) Townshend’s brother, Mark Brzezicki and Bruce Watson both from Big Country,’’ said Russell.

Mark played drums with From The Jam before the current drummer, Mike Randon, took over three years ago, and Simon would frequently open for the band.

“Not so much now as Simon is in America with The Who. He also fills in for his brother as they sound so much alike,’’ said Russell.

Also in the current line-up of From The Jam is Andy Fairclough, who previously played with Secret Garden and Nine Below Zero.

Russell showed a keen interest in music from the age of four, when he desperately wanted his mum to buy him a copy of The Beatles’ Ob la di, ob-la-da.

“I wanted it so badly. I was recording Top of the Pops on a reel-to-reel tape recorder, and then when I was seven my cousin had an acoustic guitar which I played around with, and at 11 I had my own,’’ he said.

The singer now has two sons of his own - Charlie, who is competing in a roller blade competition in Australia, and Bobby, 14. Russell says both his boys and his wife are fans of his music and enjoy supporting him at gigs.

The band are currently working on a new album. “We were at a Paul Weller concert last week and saw his producer, who is also our producer, and we promised to get some ideas over. We are off to Japan next week, my first time! We are playing a number of summer festivals, doing a tour of Australia in September and then we will be starting on the All Mod Cons anniversary tour that goes through to April 2019.’’