During the formative years of The Jam's existence in the early-1970s, the English group was heavily influenced by the Mod youth subculture that existed in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. The group's interest in this scene, coupled with the explosion of punk in London, helped provide The Jam with some unique characteristics--helping the group rise above the myriad of other British bands. After gigging around small clubs and pubs for a while, the group was noticed and signed by Polydor Records in 1977. The Jam's sound would go on to influence a new generation of songwriters, and after the group released six albums it would break up in 1982.
