Adam and the Ants were a new wave band during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was one of the bands at the time that marked the transition from the '70s punk rock era to the new-wave post punk-music era. Although the band started off with a punk-influenced sound, it soon moved on to New Wave motivated by new sources such as the drum-heavy "Burundi Beat" heard on "Dog Eat Dog". Led by Adam Ant (real name Stuart Goddard), the band formed in 1977 in London, england, consisting of Lester Square (guitar), Andy Warren (bass guitar) and Paul Flanagan (drums). ...show more

Adam and the Ants were a new wave band during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was one of the bands at the time that marked the transition from the '70s punk rock era to the new-wave post punk-music era. Although the band started off with a punk-influenced sound, it soon moved on to New Wave motivated by new sources such as the drum-heavy "Burundi Beat" heard on "Dog Eat Dog". Led by Adam Ant (real name Stuart Goddard), the band formed in 1977 in London, england, consisting of Lester Square (guitar), Andy Warren (bass guitar) and Paul Flanagan (drums).

Square was replaced by Mark Gaumont early in the band's career, before the release of their debut album Dirk Wears White Sox (1979, do it records). The album was somewhat dark, with post punk riffs and some vestiges of glam rock. The album was not a success, so Adam and the Ants hired Malcolm McLaren (manager of the Sex Pistols) to help with their image. While preparing for their second album, McLaren convinced the Ants to leave Adam and form Bow Wow Wow.

A new version of the Ants was formed by Marco Pirroni (guitar), Kevin Mooney (bass guitar) and two drummers, Terry Lee Miall and Merrick. Pirroni would go on to become an influential member of the group, and cowrite many of their songs with Adam Ant. The band signed a major label deal with CBS Records and began recording Kings of the Wild Frontier. That album was an enormous hit in the United Kingdom and put the band at the forefront of the New Romantic moment. ...show less