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WHEN it comes to Liverpool links, they don’t come much stronger than Adam Ant’s.

“My mum was Paul McCartney’s cleaner and I used to walk his sheepdog, Martha. She was a nice dog and he was a nice man,” he says, matter of factly.

Somehow, nothing would surprise me about Adam Ant.

The magical, the mercurial, the mighty singer who won a million hearts with his iconic make up and immaculate tailoring is back.

He’s playing East Village Arts Club on Saturday April 18, performing his seminal Dirk Wears White Sox album in its entirety.

After five sell out performances in London, it promises to be a great show.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he says. “I like Liverpool. I’ve had some good nights here.

“Back in the day it was Eric’s, now it’s East Village Arts Club.”

Adam played the legendary Mathew Street music venue in its heyday.

“I remember playing Eric’s with Echo and the Bunnymen. They were coming up just as we were coming down so there was a bit of a crossover. I really liked them in those early days, but they got rid of Echo, the drum machine, and I didn’t care for them after that. When we played Eric’s I remember going out on Mathew Street looking for The Cavern. I went to where it was and they’d bulldozed it and turned it into a car park. You wouldn’t get that in London.”

It wasn’t Liverpool’s best move, I venture. But, I suppose, we all need car parks and train lines.

“You wouldn’t knock down the biggest thing you had,” he says. It’s hard to disagree.

He’s clearly in nostalgic mood ahead of playing his debut album, released in 1979.

“It’s been really nice to go back and do it all again,” he says.

“When you’re recording albums it’s always about the next one. As soon as you’ve done one and toured it you’re thinking about what comes next. But looking back is quite nice.

“I’m lucky - I kept everything. I think it was my art school training, but I kept meticulous records of tickets and posters and the albums themselves.

“Now when I look back it’s all there, in mint condition. I can take it all in and show the record company,”

He’s re-released Dirk Wears White Sox and now plans to do the same to mark Kings Of The Wild Frontier’s 35th anniversary.

“It’s going to be limited edition gold vinyl with a gate fold sleeve,” he says, enthusiastically.

“I have to say I’m loving making vinyl again.

“I’ve always loved album artwork - downloads are OK but there’s nothing visual to them. You can’t stick an MP3 on your wall.”

What will he be wearing for the show - the full 1979 regalia?

“Leather,” he says simply. “Well cut leather. Think Elvis and the 68 comeback special. Why would anyone wear anything else?”.

Adam Ant plays East Village Arts Club On Saturday night. Read more at https://artsclubliverpool.com/event/adam-ant-performing-dirk-wears-white-sox-full/#JcacpJKcZ8bhTXeB.99