Steerpike
11-13-2006, 08:14 PM
Well the last turn-out was pretty abysmal, but I haven’t given up yet. At the very least I have to finish this chapter in the series before I can decide where I’m going to go with this.
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472033
Nekromantix – Coffinbass, Bitches
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481990
Cryonic Temple – Brothers in Arms
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484420
Send More Paramedics – Zombiecore Lords
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486375
3 Inches of Blood – Balls of Metal
http://sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488700
Human Fortress – Metal Crusaders
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496326
The Crimson Ghosts – Zodiac Children
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497693
The Cult – Beyond Description
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=499192
The 69 Eyes - Helsinki Vampires
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=499348
Halloween Special: Danzig - Dark Icon
Here’s to hoping this turns out better than last time.
Biography
The post-punk scene of the UK resulted in a very fruitful era for music. If nothing else, it gave us The Pixies, one of the most influential bands in modern rock. But there was certainly more to it. There were four bastard children of the movement (five, if you count deathrock). They were New Wave, Goth, Industrial, and New Romantic. New Romantic was perhaps the most flamboyant of the sub-genres, but sadly is no longer around today. However, music of this movement is still available and there are some real gems therein, such as Adam Ant.
Like many musicians who cut their teeth in the punk/post-punk scene, Adam Ant (real name Stuart Goddard) was born in a lower-class district in London where he developed his early work ethic. He was of gypsy stock and never really fit in, so often found himself marginalized by most of his peers.
He first started out playing bass for Bazooka Joe in the art rock movement before deciding to form his own band in 1977. This was when he took up his stage-name, became a full-time vocalist, and decided to call the band Adam and The Ants. The debut album under the original line-up was something of a cult success, but it wasn’t enough for Adam’s ambitions.
He hired a new manage, Malcolm McLaren, who had worked for the Sex Pistols previously. Malcolm persuaded the other band members to instead join Bow Wow Wow and Adam to assemble a new line-up of Ants. This unusual new mix featured Marco Pirroni on guitar, Kevin Mooney on bass, and two drummers in Terry Lee Miall and Merrick. Quite an unusual choice. Marco and Adam became fast friends and staunch musical collaborators.
Another unusual choice the band made was to dress in garish period stage outfits and wear David Bowie-esque make-up. They fostered a look of androgyny, but rather than going for the far-flung future look of Bowie and other glam bands, they instead espoused the Romantic appeal of the past.
The group signed a contract with CBS Records and put out their second album, Kings of the Wild Frontier, which was released in January of 1981 and promptly skyrocketed to #1 on the UK charts. This is regarded by some as the moment when the New Romantics left the suburbs and gained international attention.
The biggest single off the album by far was Ant Music, which today remains a famous anthem in clubs that still celebrate the golden age of post-punk and its various children.
It was at this point that the band experienced their first line-up change when Kevin was rotated out for Gary Tibbs who played with the band for their next hit single, Stand and Deliver. This would be the first single for the late ’81 album Prince Charming.
They cracked the American market by producing several music videos including the famous one for Stand and Deliver, which was notoriously flamboyant and indulgent. American audiences hadn’t seen anything like it since their last David Bowie concert, so of course they ate it up.
Unfortunately, at this time the band were already getting tired of each other, and the group disbanded. Adam and Marco still stayed in touch and frequently collaborated on the writing for Adam’s solo work.
Not wasting any time, Adam released his first solo album in 1982, titled Friend or Foe, releasing several singles based on the immense popularity. Goody Two Shoes is still one of the 80’s anthems heard on many a radio station and club rotation list.
The Strip album was released a year later, but after some arguments with the BBC about the second single, Adam started to drop off the map. His third album was a disappointment, and is discouragement he turned to acting as a break from the music world. He had a few good roles, but for the most part found himself relegated to B-list roles and films that barely did better than break even.
In 1990, he pleasantly surprised the fans with a new album, Manners and Physique. Though certainly not his best, it was an entertaining album nonetheless and revived interest in his past work.
Adam toured in 1993 for another album he hoped to release called Persuasion. However for reasons that to this day are shrouded in mystery, Persuasion was never released.
After this disappointment, he had a fling with Heather Graham (luck son of a bitch), but that turned sour as she started to focus more on her career at the same time that Adam found himself being harassed by an exceptionally creepy stalker. Adam, if you’re reading this now, I’m sure Chris Cornell’s family could use a sympathetic ear.
In 1995, Adam released yet another album with Wonderful, this time a return to form. Though he couldn’t pack arenas like he used to, the venues the band always played at were sold out and the album and tour were considered a success.
The 90’s also brought more attention to Adam’s work as many of the alternative rock bands he had influenced over the years began to cover songs from across his discography. To capitalize on this, the first Adam Ant boxed set, Antbox, was released in 2001 and promptly sold out of its original pressing.
Things were looking up until an unfortunate event came up that brought everything crashing down. Adam and crew were playing at a London pub when a group of patrons started heckling the group for their make-up and costumes. Though not as flamboyant as they were in the 80’s, the group still favored the androgynous look from the early days. Adam grew frustrated and pulled out a gun and threatened the hecklers until police arrived.
Turns out it was a starter pistol with blanks, but Adam still was arrested for his actions. Due to his erratic behavior, the court ordered him to go to rehab, but while there the doctors announced that he was neither a junkie nor an alcoholic. He was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Since this event, Marco has worked on issuing remasters of the old material to the public, while Adam has been trying to regroup and seek professional help for his mental illness.
There’s no news right now of a new album, but Adam’s fans have followed him this far. No doubt he’ll be playing for them as long as he’s still able to climb up on stage and belt out a tune.
http://www.adam-ant.net/
Official Web Site
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=472033
Nekromantix – Coffinbass, Bitches
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481990
Cryonic Temple – Brothers in Arms
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484420
Send More Paramedics – Zombiecore Lords
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=486375
3 Inches of Blood – Balls of Metal
http://sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=488700
Human Fortress – Metal Crusaders
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496326
The Crimson Ghosts – Zodiac Children
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=497693
The Cult – Beyond Description
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=499192
The 69 Eyes - Helsinki Vampires
http://www.sputnikmusic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=499348
Halloween Special: Danzig - Dark Icon
Here’s to hoping this turns out better than last time.
Biography
The post-punk scene of the UK resulted in a very fruitful era for music. If nothing else, it gave us The Pixies, one of the most influential bands in modern rock. But there was certainly more to it. There were four bastard children of the movement (five, if you count deathrock). They were New Wave, Goth, Industrial, and New Romantic. New Romantic was perhaps the most flamboyant of the sub-genres, but sadly is no longer around today. However, music of this movement is still available and there are some real gems therein, such as Adam Ant.
Like many musicians who cut their teeth in the punk/post-punk scene, Adam Ant (real name Stuart Goddard) was born in a lower-class district in London where he developed his early work ethic. He was of gypsy stock and never really fit in, so often found himself marginalized by most of his peers.
He first started out playing bass for Bazooka Joe in the art rock movement before deciding to form his own band in 1977. This was when he took up his stage-name, became a full-time vocalist, and decided to call the band Adam and The Ants. The debut album under the original line-up was something of a cult success, but it wasn’t enough for Adam’s ambitions.
He hired a new manage, Malcolm McLaren, who had worked for the Sex Pistols previously. Malcolm persuaded the other band members to instead join Bow Wow Wow and Adam to assemble a new line-up of Ants. This unusual new mix featured Marco Pirroni on guitar, Kevin Mooney on bass, and two drummers in Terry Lee Miall and Merrick. Quite an unusual choice. Marco and Adam became fast friends and staunch musical collaborators.
Another unusual choice the band made was to dress in garish period stage outfits and wear David Bowie-esque make-up. They fostered a look of androgyny, but rather than going for the far-flung future look of Bowie and other glam bands, they instead espoused the Romantic appeal of the past.
The group signed a contract with CBS Records and put out their second album, Kings of the Wild Frontier, which was released in January of 1981 and promptly skyrocketed to #1 on the UK charts. This is regarded by some as the moment when the New Romantics left the suburbs and gained international attention.
The biggest single off the album by far was Ant Music, which today remains a famous anthem in clubs that still celebrate the golden age of post-punk and its various children.
It was at this point that the band experienced their first line-up change when Kevin was rotated out for Gary Tibbs who played with the band for their next hit single, Stand and Deliver. This would be the first single for the late ’81 album Prince Charming.
They cracked the American market by producing several music videos including the famous one for Stand and Deliver, which was notoriously flamboyant and indulgent. American audiences hadn’t seen anything like it since their last David Bowie concert, so of course they ate it up.
Unfortunately, at this time the band were already getting tired of each other, and the group disbanded. Adam and Marco still stayed in touch and frequently collaborated on the writing for Adam’s solo work.
Not wasting any time, Adam released his first solo album in 1982, titled Friend or Foe, releasing several singles based on the immense popularity. Goody Two Shoes is still one of the 80’s anthems heard on many a radio station and club rotation list.
The Strip album was released a year later, but after some arguments with the BBC about the second single, Adam started to drop off the map. His third album was a disappointment, and is discouragement he turned to acting as a break from the music world. He had a few good roles, but for the most part found himself relegated to B-list roles and films that barely did better than break even.
In 1990, he pleasantly surprised the fans with a new album, Manners and Physique. Though certainly not his best, it was an entertaining album nonetheless and revived interest in his past work.
Adam toured in 1993 for another album he hoped to release called Persuasion. However for reasons that to this day are shrouded in mystery, Persuasion was never released.
After this disappointment, he had a fling with Heather Graham (luck son of a bitch), but that turned sour as she started to focus more on her career at the same time that Adam found himself being harassed by an exceptionally creepy stalker. Adam, if you’re reading this now, I’m sure Chris Cornell’s family could use a sympathetic ear.
In 1995, Adam released yet another album with Wonderful, this time a return to form. Though he couldn’t pack arenas like he used to, the venues the band always played at were sold out and the album and tour were considered a success.
The 90’s also brought more attention to Adam’s work as many of the alternative rock bands he had influenced over the years began to cover songs from across his discography. To capitalize on this, the first Adam Ant boxed set, Antbox, was released in 2001 and promptly sold out of its original pressing.
Things were looking up until an unfortunate event came up that brought everything crashing down. Adam and crew were playing at a London pub when a group of patrons started heckling the group for their make-up and costumes. Though not as flamboyant as they were in the 80’s, the group still favored the androgynous look from the early days. Adam grew frustrated and pulled out a gun and threatened the hecklers until police arrived.
Turns out it was a starter pistol with blanks, but Adam still was arrested for his actions. Due to his erratic behavior, the court ordered him to go to rehab, but while there the doctors announced that he was neither a junkie nor an alcoholic. He was formally diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Since this event, Marco has worked on issuing remasters of the old material to the public, while Adam has been trying to regroup and seek professional help for his mental illness.
There’s no news right now of a new album, but Adam’s fans have followed him this far. No doubt he’ll be playing for them as long as he’s still able to climb up on stage and belt out a tune.
http://www.adam-ant.net/
Official Web Site