In A Town Called Malice

In 1958, a child called John William Weller was born in Sheerwater, Woking. Growing up in a small Victorian Terrace House on Stanley Road, Weller’s start in life was far from luxurious. School was of no interest to him either, John Weller would much rather have been at home playing music.

Aged 12, John was given his first guitar by his family. This gave him the chance to really enjoy playing along to some of his favourite music and finding his talent. Aged 14 he played his first gig at the Walton’s Road Working Man’s Club and so his career began.

Who is John Weller?

I imagine you are wondering, if you don’t already know, who is John Weller and why is he of interest. John William Weller is more commonly known as Paul Weller, founding member of The Jam and The Style Council.

Paul Weller’s Career

Paul Weller and his friends started a band, playing in lunchtimes at school and gaining a good following wherever they played. In 1977, The Jam (as they were to be called) were signed for £6000 to Polydor Records. The original line-up was 4 lads from Woking – Steve Brookes (Lead Guitar), Rick Buckler (Drums), Bruce Foxton (Rhythm Guitar) and Weller on Bass Guitar and Lead Vocals.

In their first year The Jam played on Top of the Pops and went on the White Riot tour with the Clash. It was an amazing achievement for such a young band, and there was much more to come. Steve Brookes soon left the band, which meant that Foxton and Weller swapped roles in the band.

In 1982, after 5 years of success, it was announced that The Jam were disbanding. After their sell-out Wembley Concerts and one final farewell in Brighton, the boys from Woking went their separate ways.

The Style Council

It didn’t take long for Weller to set up his next project. In early 1983, Paul collaborated with Mick Talbot to form The Style Council. The sound was different to that of The Jam, and the band never achieved the success Weller’s first band had. Many felt that Paul Weller had sold out, and it is even mentioned in the Tears for Fears song Sowing the Seeds of Love, in the lyrics “Kick out the style, bring back the jam”. With this reception from the fans the band kept fighting, but in 1989 their record label refused release their final album.

The band soon disbanded, and after a couple of years break Paul Weller was back to try again on his own. This has been a much more successful career for Paul who is still releasing music today.

Remembering Woking

In 1982, one of The Jam’s most famous hits A Town Called Malice was released. Paul Weller has said the song was written about the boys’ hometown of Woking. It was an immediate hit and went in at Number 1 in the UK, although it didn’t achieve any success in the US, like much of The Jam’s music.

In 1995 Woking was remembered again in Paul Weller’s solo album Stanley Road, named after the road where he grew up. The album returned to the guitar sound of Weller’s early career, and back to the first instrument his family gave him.

If you were to visit Woking today, there isn’t much recognition of Paul Weller’s life in the town. Signs of other famous people from the town can be seen throughout, so maybe now is the time to add Paul Weller to that list.