Faces of Adam
part one - written by Mr Cardy & Mr Ant
Think back to when Adam hit the British publics attention on the memorable performance of TOTP singing 'Dog Eat Dog' in 1980. The piratical, Apache hero bearing the look that has since become a landmark in pop music cultural history. But there was a long and interesting journey to the arrival of that legendary look. This four-part series shows all the early progressions and experiments Adam went through from the beginning in 1977 until Dirk was released in 1979
Each photo will be accompanied by Adam's explainations and thoughts, and the photos are from his own collection.
This part begins with the early days.. over to Adam..
"At the very start I was going for a Genevincent/Vince Taylor all leaher trick combined with a sort of Clockwork Orange - one eye made up and dying my eyebrow orange. My college friends, thanks to Antonio Wadhani and Clare Johnson, did a lot of photography for me then. No shirt - very physical, bike and greek statue come to life. Madam that's Adam (below)
"I tried Star Trek sideboards which accentuated my cheekbones. I designed some PVC horizontal straps with matching trousers, inlaid with lace at the side. I would strap up the knuckles of my right hand after I broke a knuckle during a show at the Marquee and wrap a chain once belonging to the legendary French rocker Vince Taylor, around my wrist, over a sweatband. I'd paint one nail as a rule (fourth finger, right hand). I ruined an array of original 'sex' clothing including a gold rubber shirt which couldn't sustain the pulling, trying and general pandemonium of the early Apolytic Ant concerts"
This article originally appeared in Ant News Today issue 19.