John Reed - Author of Paul Weller: My Ever Changing Moods

In this conversation, John Reed - music
journalist, a former Research Editor of Record Collector
magazine, Director of Catalogue at Cherry Red, and author of Paul
Weller: My Ever Changing Moods - takes us on a journey through
the many stages of Weller’s remarkable career. Growing up
entrenched in the Mod revival and drawn into The Jam’s world as a
teenager, John became the “kid at school who liked The Jam,” long
before he would ever dig deep into his music as a writer.


John shares stories from his early days as a fan (his first Jam
shows in Brighton, his coming of age as a mod, and surviving the
territorial world of Harrington jacket colours), to building a
career in music journalism and becoming a trusted member of the
Weller story’s inner circle. We hear his unique perspective on
the trio dynamic of The Jam, his view on Bruce and Rick’s
underrated contributions, and why Weller’s break-up of the band
was both brave and necessary.


As a journalist and Record Collector writer, John’s work bridges
the worlds of the fan and the chronicler - penning features,
sleeve notes, and, ultimately, a much-loved biography. He shares
what went into writing My Ever Changing Moods (often by chance:
“I just made it up” - the pitch, not the research!), the
responsibility of telling the story for fans, and how he balanced
candidness with sensitivity. From interviewing Paul Weller during
pivotal moments in the ’90s and 2000s, to discussing album
sequencing, adversity, and his restless creativity, John brings
the experience of both a listener and an expert.


His reflections move through Weller’s post-Jam doubts, The Style
Council’s misunderstood experiments, the energy of “comeback”
records like As Is Now and 22 Dreams, and a decades-long
relationship balancing proximity, critique, and admiration. John
also shares personal memories: a surreal night with Weller and
Ocean Colour Scene, phone calls from “Paul Weller, ya c—t,” and
thoughts on what would make the ultimate Weller companion
release.


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