I stumbled across this early Ants recording online. It appears to be something of an upgrade on what I had in the collection. The Ants were becoming hot property in London at this time and a residency at The Marquee Club in Wardour Street did much to cement their reputation as a band with a future. At that time though, that future was unknown, who indeed could have foreseen the twists and turns that Adam would navigate before he achieved the 'Superstar' status mentioned in the gig review below. Whatsmore, Superstar Adam was a million miles from the Adam who cavorted on the Marquee stage in the Winter of 1978! Strangely, all that survived were some of the early pre-Dirk Wears White Sox era were the songs that the Adam/Marco line up rerecorded and recycled as B-sides for all of the big hits. 'Fall In', 'Beat My Guest', 'Red Scab' and 'Juanito the Bandito' featured in this set were revived in this way, whilst 'Deutscher Girls' and 'Plastic Surgery' were rush released as a single as a final cash in when Adam split his Ants in early 1982.
Mentioned often before but Adam and the Ants in 1978 has always been one of my 'time machine gigs.
MP3 (as received): https://we.tl/t-B1KJfCFchv
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-LUB7mA9wZL
Here's what the Record Mirror reviewer said of one of the residency Marquee gigs.
Record Mirror (21st January 1978)
ADAM AND THE ANTS
The Marquee, London“Have you seen The Ants before?” demanded a leotard –clad punkette as I complacently queued for the privilege of using the Marquee “powder room”.
“Well…”
“You haven’t? You don’t know what you’re missing! They are THE BAND of the decade! I’ve never heard anyone like him. Adam is gonna be a Superstar! He’s…”
Typical. I endured six minutes of ravings before discovering that it was at her second ever concert that this 15 year-old had latched onto the Ants. This was her third.
It therefore came as no surprise that her promises were rather far -fetched. I haven't formulated a definite opinion of The Ants yet, probably a near impossibility unless one has seen them two or three times, but I certainly cannot visualize them becoming world heroes. A cult perhaps ...
Adam is the chief Ant. He writes, sings and acts out all their songs (except the hideous 'Lou' written and
screeched by their manager Jordan, leaving Adam looking incongruous behind a guitar). Posturing like an insecure Ig in his black leather and stark make-up he shrilly spat out a total of 15 songs, including two unnecessary encores.
Some were uninspired. Others were quite catchy, particularly the almost Ramonish 'Hampstead' and others were just, er, unusual. 'There's A Whip In My Valise' had a great oom cha cha backing vocals while Adam's falsetto careering through 'Light Up A Beacon My Puerto Rican' and 'Juanito The Bandito' brought a pleasant variety to the set. There was even a tango flavour to 'Deutscher Girls'.
Some good rhythms lurking in the background, but the better points in the set were marred by the bad ones, namely Jordan and an excess of lame songs acting as time - fillers.
Blitz, the young support were surprising. Despite headlining (joke) The Roxy iater that evening they really let loose and enjoyed themselves along with the whole audience. Although stunningly unoriginal they played some very catchy numbers . . . in tune! Strictly for fun.
KELLY PIKE
