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John Earls
Writing for Classic Pop since our first issue, John has been to Adam Ant’s house, sworn at by Bob Geldof, touched Johnny Marr’s favourite guitar, interviewed Richard Coles on his vicarage bed and serenaded with Last Christmas by Shirlie Kemp. John first specialised in writing about music as editor of Teletext’s Planet Sound music column from 2000-09 and now writes about pop for a range of magazines and national newspapers. A Luton Town fan, John also writes about football. His bucket list interviews for the magazine are Grace Jones, Kylie, Siouxsie Sioux and Andrew Ridgeley.
New Order have been much less prolific in their second 12 years together than in their first incarnation. But, despite the bitter feud between the rest of the band and……
Pet Shop Boys interview – SMASH the system
In June 2023, Pet Shop Boys released what’s possibly their ultimate statement – SMASH, a boxset of all their singles. But, in the 2020s, what is a single? What’s the……
Lloyd Cole interview: King of pain
More closely involved with his fans than ever before after nearly losing his house in lockdown, Lloyd Cole has emerged with On Pain – a stunning album nearer to Talk……
Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz interview: “CBGBs was a wonderful incubator for baby bands”
One of the great love stories in music, as well as one of its finest rhythm sections, Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz are preparing to share their memories of life……
Haircut 100 interview: “We always had the confidence that we were something special”
Shiny enough to have their own comic strip and potential TV sitcom, Haircut 100 were also an odd mix of six diverse personalities, incorporating post-punk, jazz, Brazilian rhythms and martial……
Exclusive first review: Pet Shop Boys – SMASH
The synth-pop duo’s singles across the past 35 years are collected on a gamechanging compilation. We dive in and take stock of a landmark pop release. Rating: 10/10 When Classic……
Seal interview: “Wherever it is we go to in the ether, I’ll look back with zero regrets”
A beautiful singer with the looks to match, Seal always seemed destined for stardom. But a new reissue of his self-titled debut album is time to remember that stardom once……
Inspiral Carpets interview: “We were outsiders”
As the Inspiral Carpets prepare for an emotional first tour since the tragic death of drummer Craig Gill in 2016, the band reveal all about their days as outsiders in……
Madness interview: “We’ve collided together in a sandpit of joy on this new album”
No longer a nostalgia band, Madness have spent the past two decades assembling “new universes” of music to showcase their impeccable knack of knowing what makes people tick. In 2016,……
Marilyn interview: “People want me back. That’s amazing”
For a singer who only released one album, Marilyn has made an indelible mark on pop culture. In 2016 he returned a new single, Love Or Money, produced with his……