Ant Rap becomes Ant trap

Q� What's going on with Adam Ant < xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

A.� Adam Ant�- Stuart Goddard to his family�- was arrested outside a London pub a few days ago. He was charged with firearms offences, and assault, and has been confined to a secure psychiatric ward pending a court appearance.

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Q.� Wow, it sounds pretty heavy stuff!

A.� Well, there's no doubt that the charges are serious, but the usual media frenzy has put an unfortunate spin on the sequence of events, and indeed on the whole career of Adam Ant.

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Q.� Better backtrack and have a look then.

A.� Certainly. Although Adam And The Ants became worldwide mega-stars in the early 1980's the band sprang from the punk rock explosion in 1977, when Goddard created the 'Adam Ant' alter-ego persona to perform his angular guitar-based punk-pop material. The band's stage act incorporated a variety of sado-masochistic theatrical devices, which were well received by the London punk scene. The band recorded their debut album Dirk Wears White Sox for the indie label Do It. The album was not a success, critically or commercially, so Adam opted to shift his profile up a notch by hiring Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren. Typically, McLaren's approach to 'assisting' the band was to poach the entire band to front his own newly created Bow Wow Wow. Undeterred, Adam formed a new line-up, retaining the driving double-drummer sound which he'd lost to Bow Wow Wow, but which he used to far more effect.� By 1980, the band had recorded their Kings Of The Wild Frontier album, and commercial success was theirs, with three Top Ten singles, including the trademark anthem Ant Music.

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Q.� What was so different about the new line-up that made them successful

A.� Two elements, the first was the teaming of Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni as song writing partners, a fruitful relationship that survived through to the 1990's. The second was Ant capitalising on his model looks by creating a new persona, part highwayman, part pirate, part American Indian, including the distinctive facial stripe, copied by fans in their thousands. A new look, a new sound, the 'new' Adam And The Ants were off and running.

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Q.� Was Adam Ant destined for a long career

A.� Adam was, but not with The Ants. By the following year, and the release of the Prince Charming album, which yielded a further two hits, Stand And Deliver and Prince Charming, both of which reached Number One. The reign of Adam And The Ants was as brief as it was spectacular, the heady excitement of the arrival of a new style moved swiftly out of fashion. 1982 saw Ant as a solo artist, although he retained Pirroni as guitarist and writer. His first solo album Friend Or Foe saw him reach Number One again with Goody Two Shoes, and the title track made the Top Ten, but Ant's career as a major pop mover was sliding rapidly into decline.

Q.� So that was that

A.� Not entirely. Having realised the importance of the video image, and discovered a talent and enjoyment in acting, Adam Ant moved to the US, and became a moderately successful TV actor, returning for a brief comeback in 1990, but unwisely shifting his musical emphasis away from the sound his fans had enjoyed, the return was not a success.

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Q.� How come things have gone so wrong for Adam Ant

A.� In spite of the media hysteria about his admittedly anti-social behaviour, the press have failed to point out that Stuart Goddard has suffered as a manic-depressive for most of his adult life. The condition which is successfully controlled with medication can occasionally flair up to a point where a sufferer can relapse into the more serious states of the condition, as has happened to Goddard over the last few months, culminating in the assault charge which has seen him detained under the Mental Health Act.

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Q.� Does that mean he's insane

A.� Absolutely not. Detention under Section Five of the Act is not uncommon, it is used for the protection of the sufferer, if it is felt he or she is a risk to themselves, or those around them. It is usually a temporary and short solution, while treatment and medication can be assessed and commenced. Those around Ant are assuring people that the proposed revival package tour including other 80's heroes such as Howard Jones and Toyah will go ahead.

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Q.� What about the stories that Ant can't cope with not being famous any more

A.� There is an element of truth in that, although it is probably more complicated than the ego-trip that such a statement makes it appear. Loss of direction and career success are a contributory factor in Ant's worsening condition, but they are by no means the main, or indeed the only reason for his behaviour.

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Q.� Can there be an Ant revival

A.� It's possible, As the 80s nostalgia circuit expands, and there is certainly room for an artist who had such major success in it as Adam Ant. He may never reach the same level of success as he had then, but there will be interest in his back catalogue, and the possibility of new material as well. Providing people can adopt a less finger-pointing attitude as Stuart Goddard regains his health, prior to donning his Adam Ant persona again, the future looks healthy indeed. As Adam Ant advised his adoring fans so many years ago, "Ridicule is nothing to be scared of." Let's hope he can use that sentiment for the future.������

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Andy Hughes