Adam Ant is playing at The City National Grove of Anaheim tonight at 7:00 p.m.
Adam Ant is one of those musical figures who are emblematic of an era, in this case the early 1980s. The catalog of New Wave classics is long:
- Stand and Deliver
- Antmusic
- Los Rancheros
- Dog Eat Dog
- Kings of the Wild Fontier
- Jolly Roger
- Goody Two Shows
- Friend or Foe
I was perusing old albums at a thrift shop near Glover Stadium during my junior year at Servite High School when I first heard of Adam and the Ants. This alternative-looking guy struck up a conversation with me, asking me if I had ever heard of Adam and the Ants, telling me how he used to be a punk rocker but once he discovered Adam and the Ants he stopped being a punker. He was kind of odd and I was more interested in extricating myself from the conversation than learning more about this band he was so enthusiastic about…a few months later I heard them for myself and have been a fan ever since.
So it was pretty cool when I was at The Catch earlier today and someone pointed out to be that Adam Ant was in the bar. I went over to where he was quietly reading a book, introduced myself and explained I was a big fan. He was very gracious and agreed to take a picture with me.
I hope any readers who are going to the concert tonight have a rockin’ New Wave evening!
He looks great for being 50-something!! I remember listening to Adam and the Ants back in the ’80s…
Oh, Jesus. Back when I was into the Clash, Gang of Four, Stranglers, Joy Division, Magazine, and the Buzzcocks – records that still sound great – Matt was listening to … Adam and the Ants. That makes all kinds of sense…
I was listening to those bands, too, Vern. I was also listening to Big bands, classical, American standards, the Beatles, the Byrds, etc, etc.
We’re you one of those people who tried to show how cool they were by being more alternative-than-thou?
No, I just thought that Adam Ant, in the non-PC parlance of those days, was a little… you know, gay? (and not in a good way, mind you.)
Henceforth I shall refer to Vern as the Buzzcock.
And I will be honored. “Something’s gone wrong again, and again…”