The album includes collaborations from longtime songwriting partner Marco Pirroni and Boz Boorer (Morrissey).
Many people know that
Adam, a Grammy-nominated artist and one of the most recognized faces of
the '80s (known for his hits “Goody Two Shoes,” “Stand
and Deliver,” “Strip” and “Wonderful”), lived in
LA for several years while pursuing film roles.
But most
people never knew that later in life he quietly bought a house and lived
in the small town of Dayton, Tenn. With its swampy, southern
flavor, “Cool Zombie,” the debut single, speaks to
this aspect of his life.
"I
lived in Tennessee for a couple of years,” Adam explained. “My
daughter, Lily Caitlin, was born there. I decided that I was going to be
like a house husband, so I was with her and
changing nappies. That's the hardest work I've ever done, the
child-rearing thing. But as Lily got older, I started to think about
music. I missed it - the creative process and the live side of it."
The video for “Cool Zombie”, produced and directed by Adam Ant and
Adam Ross, was filmed at a Victorian
music hall in Shoreditch, East London. The concept is the story of
Adam’s return to London after living in Tennessee.
Additional tracks include Adam’s resurrected '80s song "Who's a Goofy Bunny, Then?" (in tribute to his late ex-manager
Malcolm McLaren) and “Vince Taylor” (The European 1950s-60s pop star who suffered from addiction).
The first part of the album’s enigmatic title also pays homage to
Adam’s iconic “Kings of the Wild Frontier” persona who wore the
trademark white stripe. Although this persona never had a name, Adam
now refers to the character as The Blueblack Hussar, a reference to the cavalry hussar units that originated during the 15th century throughout
Europe. Many units were known for their characteristic
dress that included distinctive hats, elaborate braided jackets and, in
some groups, pants with a yellow vertical stripe – three signature
items that Adam adopts on stage.
The second part of the title, “Marrying The
Gunner’s Daughter” is linked to an old naval term that refers to being
punished. Or, metaphorically speaking, his feelings about being signed
to a major label for so many years. Now, Adam
has released this album on his own label, Blueblack Hussar Records.
The mysterious cover girl wearing the Nelson hat is Georgie Hobday, the subject of two oil paintings by BP portrait-prize recipient
Mary Jane Ansell. Georgie also appears in the video for “Cool Zombie”.
“Adam Ant is The Blueblack Hussar in Marrying
The Gunner’s Daughter” is available through leading retailers now. A
special vinyl version, with a double vinyl
sleeve gatefold, will also be released on Feb. 4.
Adam and his band,
“The Good, The Mad & The Lovely Posse”, are preparing for an
upcoming UK tour in the spring.
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