Crescendo

Adam retreated to regroup and rethink his career. After finally tasting success, his band was stolen and his career momentum was brought to a screeching halt. Soon, though, he met Marco Pirroni, who would eventually become his lifelong musical partner. Adam and Marco assembled the new and improved Ants (no more “z” at the end). This lineup included a new look and two drummers, inspired by African Burundi rhythms.

The band’s swashbuckling visual image was born drawing on Adam’s fascination with Native American cultures and the romanticized image of pirates. Their look aligned them with the New Romantic movement that was sweeping the UK.

		The 2004 Remasters CD review by Ritchie Champagne
Adam retreated to regroup and rethink his career. After finally tasting success, his band was stolen and his career momentum was brought to a screeching halt. Soon, though, he met Marco Pirroni, who would eventually become his lifelong musical partner. Adam and Marco assembled the new and improved Ants (no more “z” at the end). This lineup included a new look and two drummers, inspired by African Burundi rhythms. The band’s swashbuckling visual image was born drawing on Adam’s fascination with Native American cultures and the romanticized image of pirates. Their look aligned them with the New Romantic movement that was sweeping the UK.
		Such a striking visual image was perfect for America’s budding MTV network, giving the band the perfect platform to promote their Kings Of The Wild Frontier and Prince Charming albums (released in November 1980 and 1981 respectively). This lineup had tremendous success in Europe but Adam would not see his biggest success in the US until the release of his first solo LP, 1982’s Friend Or Foe. By this time, the second and third Ants LPs were well known in the States. The Antz (with a “z”) were unknown on this side of the pond until the Dirk Wears White Sox album was re-sequenced and released in 1983 to capitalize on Adam’s solo success.