Kings of the Wild Frontier

Infobox Album |
Name = Kings of the Wild Frontier
Type = Album
Artist = Adam & the Ants


Released = 1980
Recorded = Rockfield Studios, 1980
Genre = New Wave
Length = 47:21
Label = Epic Records
Producer = Chris Hughes
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=At9m8b5x4tsqj link]
* "Q" Rating|4|5 [http://www.buy.com/prod/Kings_Of_The_Wild_Frontier/q/loc/109/60114435.html link]
*Review-Christgau|B|album=4290
* "Rolling Stone" Rating|2|5 [http://rollingstone.com/reviews/cd/review.asp?aid=10958&cf link]
Last album = "Dirk Wears White Sox" (1979)
This album = "Kings of the Wild Frontier" (1980)
Next album ="Prince Charming (1981)

"Kings of the Wild Frontier" is a New Wave-punk album by Adam & the Ants, released in 1980 (see 1980 in music). This album introduced the new Burundi Drum sound. After having his previous backing band wooed away by producer Malcolm McLaren, who used them to form Bow Wow Wow, Adam Ant recorded "Kings of the Wild Frontier" with guitarist Marco Pirroni his new writing partner. In spite of the difficulties with the recording, "Kings of the Wild Frontier" has become acknowledged as an inspiritational and unique sounding album, introducing two drummers, with Duane Eddy sounding guitar riffs. Unique in style and sound, it is hard to classify it as anything but Antmusic though some consider it fringe pop-oriented post punk rock.

The album spawned three hit singles: "Kings of the Wild Frontier" (7/80, reached # 2 in 2/81), "Dog Eat Dog" (reached # 4 in 10/80) and "Antmusic" (12/80 reached #2 in 1/81). In addition, Antmusic reached No. 1 in Australia for five weeks. [http://www.onmc.iinet.net.au/top/1981.htm] The album was remastered and reissued in 2004 with several bonus tracks.

Nine Inch Nails's 1992 EP "Broken" includes a cover version of "Physical (You're So)", which Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni performed live with Nine Inch Nails in 1995.

Kevin Max's song "Jumpstart Your Electric Heart!" from The Imposter samples the music from "Jolly Roger".

UK track listing

All songs written by Adam Ant and Marco Pirroni.
#"Dog Eat Dog" – 3:11
#"Antmusic" – 3:37
#"Feed Me to the Lions" – 3:03
#"Los Rancheros" – 3:30
#"Ants Invasion" – 3:19
#"Killer in the Home" – 4:22
#"Kings of the Wild Frontier" – 3:56
#"The Magnificent Five" – 3:07
#"Don't Be Square (Be There)" – 3:32
#"Jolly Roger" – 2:11
#"Making History" – 2:59
#"The Human Beings" – 4:32

"Kings of the Wild Frontier" was remastered and reissued in 2004 with six bonus tracks:

13. "Antmusic (Alternative Mix)" – 3:43
14. "Antmusic (Demo)" – 3:28
15. "Feed Me to the Lions (Demo)" – 3:02
16. "The Human Beings (Demo)" – 2:30
17. "S.E.X. (Demo)" – 3:57
18. "Omelette From Outerspace (Demo)" – 3:06

US Release

All of the U.S. releases had a slightly different tracklisting. "Making History" was removed entirely and two earlier Ant written songs were added: "Press Darlings" (track 5), and "Physical (You're So)" (track 12) – both of which had appeared as b-sides on UK singles). The cassette version added two more songs: "Stand and Deliver" (single from "Prince Charming") and the b-side "Beat My Guest."

US cassette track list

Epic PET 37033
*Side A:
#"Dog Eat Dog"
#"Jolly Roger"
#"Los Rancheros"
#"Feed Me to the Lions"
#"Press Darlings"
#"Ants Invasion"
#"Killer in the Home"
#"Beat My Guest"
*Side B:

8. "Kings Of the Wild Frontier"
9. "The Magnificent Five"
10. "Don’t Be Square (Be There)"
11. "Antmusic"
12. "Physical (You’re So)"
13. "The Human Beings"
14. "Stand and Deliver"

Personnel

*Adam Ant – Vocals
*Marco Pirroni – Guitar
*Kevin Mooney – Bass
*Merrick – Drums
*Terry Lee Miall – Drums
*Chris Hughes – Producer

Note - Merrick is the name Chris Hughes adopted as an Ant.

Chart positions

UK album chart
* 1980 No 1 (total chart run 66 weeks)

UK Singles chart
* 1980 Kings of the Wild Frontier No 48
* 1980 Dog Eat Dog No 4
* 1980 "Antmusic" No 2
* 1981 Kings of the Wild Frontier No 2

Billboard Music Charts (North America) - album
* 1981 Pop Albums No. 44Billboard (North America) - singles
* 1981 Dog Eat Dog Club Play Singles No. 19
* 1981 Antmusic Mainstream Rock No. 14
* 1981 Dog Eat Dog Mainstream Rock No. 15
* 1981 Physical (You're So) Mainstream Rock No. 19