You could illustrate the difference between punk and post-punk by going from track 2 to track 3 of today's compilation. It's the difference between The Models and Rema-Rema (Marco's next band, pictured at left). Wheel In The Roses (a four song EP) was the only recorded evidence of the short-lived band (they broke up before its 1980 release). In 2019, a two disc retrospective called Fond Reflections was issued, and was followed by a Rema-Rema documentary called What You Could Not Visualize.
Marco did a session with Cowboys International and then joined Adam & The Ants. Adam's bandmates had left to form Bow Wow Wow, and he formed a new lineup with Marco and Terry (The Models' drummer). Gary Tibbs (from Roxy Music) joined on bass, and Chris Hughes (aka Merrick) became the Ants' second drummer and their producer. After two successful albums, Adam went solo, with Marco as his cowriter, bandleader and arranger. Adam and Marco worked together from 1980 until the mid 1990's.
Danny And The Nogoodniks was fronted by Danny Kleinman, Adam’s bandmate in the pub rock band Bazooka Joe. The Nogoodniks’ 1982 single featured Marco and Danny on guitar, with Adam on bass. Danny became a music video director: his credits include “Antmusic” and Adam Ant’s “Apollo 9”.
Another one-off was the 1986 single by Mayfair Charm School on Él Records, which featured a Scott Walker cover. Marco also joined Spear Of Destiny for their 1987 album Outland (which included their biggest single, "Never Take Me Alive"). Some fans prefer the Outland demos over the glossy Zeus B. Held production; a track from each version is included in this set. Tune in next week for the sequel, which covers Marco's music from the 1990's to the current decade.
The Best of Marco Pirroni, Vol. 1: https://tinyurl.com/MarcoPart1
ReplyDeleteI can't disagree with Koen, who said that Adam & The Ants were "gimmicky". I included not their biggest songs, but the ones that highlight Marco's playing -- from the distorted rush of "Beat My Guest" to the Morricone-influenced "Los Rancheros". Whether Adam was playing cowboy, Indian, pirate, prince, or highwayman, Marco provided a fitting musical soundtrack. "Seems To Me" is from Adam's unreleased Persuasion album.
After Marco left Rema-Rema, the remaining members formed Mass and then split into two bands (The Wolfgang Press and Renegade Soundwave). Rema-Rema drummer Dorothy Max Prior recorded a solo single (I Confess) with Alex Fergusson, Peter Christopherson and Genesis P-Orridge for Throbbing Gristle’s label, Industrial Records. Dorothy was also in a short-lived band called the Weekend Swingers with Marco and Andy Warren (who was an original Ant with guitarist Lester Square before they both joined The Monochrome Set). Andy Warren played bass on the Mayfair Charm School single, and the singer “Victor Armada” was Mark Alleyne, who later did art design for Adam Ant, The Wolfmen, and Marco’s record label (Only Lovers Left Alive).
Chris Hughes (who went by his middle name, Merrick, when he was an Ant) produced the albums Kings Of The Wild Frontier and Prince Charming. Hughes cowrote “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” and produced the first Tears For Fears album. He also produced Adam’s first solo single, “Goody Two Shoes”.
More Rema-Rema: https://dieordiy2.blogspot.com/2014/02/rema-rema-complete-recordings-19791980.html
Dorothy Max Prior's single: https://dieordiy2.blogspot.com/2014/02/dorothy-i-confess-industrial-records.html
Thanks Jonder for contributing to my musical education as Marco had never registered on my radar before!
DeleteReading both post and comment the first thing that came to mind was that the music business can be quite 'incestuous'...
Especially true in the early London punk scene, which was small enough that everyone seemed to know each other. Adam's band Bazooka Joe once opened for the Sex Pistols, and Adam asked Malcolm McLaren to manage The Ants (only to have his band stolen by Malcolm to form Bow Wow Wow). Adam saw Rema-Rema when his wife's band shared a gig with them. Dorothy (Rema-Rema drummer) was also briefly a member of the Ants.
DeleteThanks. The Freeez was one of those early singles i bought (Few years later, but still). Making genealogies is a fun thing, and learns me a lot about forgotten art. Whatever 'appened to..... all those Shakesp'eros. Looking forward to part two.
DeleteANT MUSIC FOR ANT PEOPLE! - Stinky
ReplyDeleteSEX MUSIC FOR SEX PEOPLE!
DeleteSex Beat .... DROP! (connecting the dots)
DeleteMrDave is preachin' the blues, like ol' Jerry Lee Pierce! (connecting dots where no connection exists)
DeleteI'll try it for the Ant songs. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteAnother sideman I never gave any thought to -- thanks for the edutainment!
ReplyDeleteThinking about gnarly guitarists who have been all over the place, Kid Congo Powers, though not as obscure as your other gnarly guitarist, would surely make a gnarly comp: Cramps, Gun Club, Bad Seeds, Congo Norvell, his current Pink Monkey Birds and I'm guessing a bunch of side work (that's your job!). If for no other reason, it's an excuse to share this fantastic slinky song he recently did with the Pink Monkey Birds:
https://youtu.be/qdz87nESHaA?si=i8leqmypPvFVAkeh
Kid Congo is a great Kandidate for this series -- thanks MrDave!
DeleteYes, I saw Kid Congo, with Patricia Morrison (and a Huge Dolly-wig) backing The Legendary Stardust Cowboy in 1985 or so. There should be tapes from another (radio-broadcasted) show.
DeleteThat sounds like an amazing show, Richard. Long live The Ledge! "The only musician to have his music banned by NASA." More links here:
Deletehttps://ladimensiondetrastos.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-becomes-legend-most.html
Send you a recording of the Rotterdam show
Delete