On this day, 30 November 1980, rock band Adam and the Ants played Cardiff Top Rank.
In July 1980, the band signed a deal with CBS Records and released the single "Kings of the Wild Frontier", which reached No. 48 in the UK Singles Chart.
Drummer-and-producer Chris Hughes, noted for his use of Burundi drums produced the band's work and they completed recording at Rockfield by the end of August. A second single "Dog Eat Dog" was released in October; it reached the top 10 and resulted in the band's first appearance on BBC Television's weekly music show Top of the Pops.
In November 1980, the album Kings of the Wild Frontier was released and became a hit in the United Kingdom, putting Adam and the Ants at the forefront of the New Romantic movement, and the band completed a 32-day UK tour. The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart on 24 January 1981.
A third single "Antmusic" was released later in November; it peaked at number two in January 1981 and at number one in Australia, where it stayed for five weeks. Both Decca and Do It Records re-released the band's previous output;
"Young Parisians" reached number nine in the UK in December 1980 and Dirk Wears White Sox peaked at number 16 in the UK Albums Chart in February 1981. "Cartrouble" and "Zerox" also charted that month, peaking at numbers 33 and 45, respectively, in the UK Singles Chart.
Tour Setlist
The Human Beings
Kick!
The Magnificent Five
Antmusic
The Idea
Ants Invasion
Los Rancheros
Killer in the Home
Jolly Roger
Dog Eat Dog
Press Darlings
Beat My Guest
Zerox
Cartrouble
Encore:
Kings of the Wild Frontier
Fall-In
Physical (You're So)