Adam Ant
Stuart Leslie Goddard, better known as Adam Ant (born 3 November 1954), is an English singer, musician, and actor. He gained popularity as the lead singer of new wave group Adam and the Ants and later as a solo artist, scoring 10 UK top ten ...
from
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. The group existed in two incarnations, both fronted by Adam Ant, over the period 1977 to 1982. The first, founded in May 1977 and known simply as The Ants until November of t ...
' debut album ''
Dirk Wears White Sox
''Dirk Wears White Sox'' is the debut studio album by English new wave band Adam and the Ants. It was released on 30 November 1979 by record label Do It. It was the first number one album on the UK Independent Albums Chart when the chart debut ...
''. Adam's ever changing line-up of Ants on this track include
Dave Barbarossa
David Barbarossa (born 1961, also known as Dave Barbe) is a drummer and an author of British and Mauritian descent. As part of both Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow, he was instrumental in creating the highly influential and innovative tribal d ...
on
drums
A drum kit (also called a drum set, trap set, or simply drums) is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other Percussion instrument, auxiliary percussion instruments set up to be played by one person. The player (drummer) typically holds a pair o ...
,
Matthew Ashman
Matthew James Ashman (3 November 1960 – 21 November 1995) – accessed June 2011 was an English guitarist with on
guitar
The guitar is a fretted musical instrument that typically has six strings. It is usually held flat against the player's body and played by strumming or plucking the strings with the dominant hand, while simultaneously pressing selected stri ...
bass guitar
The bass guitar, electric bass or simply bass (), is the lowest-pitched member of the string family. It is a plucked string instrument similar in appearance and construction to an electric or an acoustic guitar, but with a longer neck and ...
. The track has been included on the compilations '' Antics in the Forbidden Zone'', '' Antmusic: The Very Best of Adam Ant'', ''The Very Best Of Adam And The Ants'', ''Antbox'', ''The Essential Adam Ant'' & ''Stand & Deliver: The Very Best of Adam & the Ants''.
The cover portrays ''Image in Motion'' (1913), a photograph by the Italian Futurist Anton Bragaglia, with the name of the band and the song superimposed over it.
Lyrics
The title is a reference to the
Xerox
Xerox Holdings Corporation (; also known simply as Xerox) is an American corporation that sells print and electronic document, digital document products and services in more than 160 countries. Xerox is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut (ha ...
photocopier
A photocopier (also called copier or copy machine, and formerly Xerox machine, the generic trademark) is a machine that makes copies of documents and other visual images onto paper or plastic film quickly and cheaply. Most modern photocopiers u ...
. Whereas Xerox
machine
A machine is a physical system using Power (physics), power to apply Force, forces and control Motion, movement to perform an action. The term is commonly applied to artificial devices, such as those employing engines or motors, but also to na ...
s are used to make
paper
Paper is a thin sheet material produced by mechanically or chemically processing cellulose fibres derived from wood, rags, grasses or other vegetable sources in water, draining the water through fine mesh leaving the fibre evenly distributed ...
copies of documents and other visual images, it is used as a
metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that, for rhetorical effect, directly refers to one thing by mentioning another. It may provide (or obscure) clarity or identify hidden similarities between two different ideas. Metaphors are often compared wit ...
for
plagiarism
Plagiarism is the fraudulent representation of another person's language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions as one's own original work.From the 1995 '' Random House Compact Unabridged Dictionary'': use or close imitation of the language and thought ...
in the song's lyrics (example: I'm never bored, I'll steal your chords).
The title also reference's
David Bowie
David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known professionally as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer-songwriter and actor. A leading figure in the music industry, he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the ...
's description of himself as "a human Xerox Machine". On some early versions of the song, Ant can be heard singing "David Bowie's a Xerox machine" on the coda. In one such version, a demo recorded August 1978 at
Decca Records
Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...
's Broadhurst Gardens studio, this line is sung in a similar high pitched tone to that employed on Bowie's early single "
The Laughing Gnome
"The Laughing Gnome" is a song by English singer David Bowie, released as a single on 14 April 1967. A pastiche of songs by one of Bowie's early influences, Anthony Newley, it was originally released as a Novelty song, novelty single on Deram R ...
".
Promotion
The song was an early favourite among 'Antpeople', and was performed at a
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey (DJ) and radio presenter. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly fr ...
session on 10 July 1978. Adam and the Ants signed with Camden-based
independent record label
An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...
Do It Records
Do It Records was a British independent record label based in London, England. It was an early label of Adam and the Ants, releasing their debut album ''Dirk Wears White Sox'' in November 1979 (which in January 1980 was the first ever number on ...
after leaving
Decca Records
Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...
. Do It had the band in the studio almost immediately after signing, with "Zerox" being the result.
The band had developed a strong cult following and embarked on a major UK tour prior to the
single
Single may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Single (music), a song release
Songs
* "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004
* "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008
* "Single" (William Wei song), 2016
* "Single", by ...
's release on 6 July 1979. Do It, meanwhile, did a series of UK music press
advertisement
Advertising is the practice and techniques employed to bring attention to a product or service. Advertising aims to put a product or service in the spotlight in hopes of drawing it attention from consumers. It is typically used to promote a ...
s. It was the band's second single. A
music video
A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a m ...
, "Zerox Machine" was partially made in December 1979 and the surviving material, including one complete take of Ant miming the song, represented the song on the 2006 DVD compilation ''Stand and Deliver''.
The song was a number one hit on the
UK Indie Chart
The UK Independent Singles Chart and UK Independent Albums Chart are charts of the best-selling independent singles and albums, respectively, in the United Kingdom. Originally published in January 1980, and widely known as the indie chart, the rele ...
, but failed to chart on the
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...
upon its initial release. Following the success of their second album, ''
Kings of the Wild Frontier
''Kings of the Wild Frontier'' is the second album by English new wave band Adam and the Ants. It was released on 7 November 1980 by CBS Records in the UK and Epic records internationally. The album was the UK number 1 selling album in 1981 (a ...
'', it reached number 45 in January 1981 upon re-release.
"Whip in My Valise"
The B-side of the single first appeared in the Ants' set as a fast-tempo song circa August 1977. When
Matthew Ashman
Matthew James Ashman (3 November 1960 – 21 November 1995) – accessed June 2011 was an English guitarist with joined the band in June 1978, it was rearranged to a slow tempo (except for the middle eight which remained fast.) This new arrangement was recorded as a demo at
Decca Studios
Decca Studios was a recording facility at 165 Broadhurst Gardens, West Hampstead, North London, England, controlled by Decca Records from 1937 to 1980. The building was once West Hampstead Town Hall, and had been converted to a recording studio b ...
in Broadhurst Gardens, London in August 1978 and then rerecorded for the B-side at the Roundhouse session the following May. A new arrangement at a medium-fast tempo was unveiled at the final gig of the original Ants at the
Electric Ballroom
The Electric Ballroom is a 1,500-capacity performance venue (primarily for rock bands) and indoor market located at 184 Camden High Street in Camden Town, London, England.
History
The Electric Ballroom started as an Irish ballroom in the 1930 ...
, Camden on 31 December 1979, but after this the song did not appear in Ant's live repertoire until 2010, once again using the slow arrangement.
Different versions of the 7" single
Despite the fact that "Whip in My Valise" is credited as the single's
B-side
The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record compan ...
, 2000 copies of the single pressed in July 1980 instead have the song "Physical" (a version later featured on '' The B Sides'' single and ''Antmusic EP''). This was done at the instruction of Do It chief Ian Tregoning who liked this recording. His enthusiasm was not shared by Ant, who later that year re-recorded the song and put it out on the B-side of his second single for
CBS Records CBS Records may refer to:
* CBS Records or CBS/Sony, former name of Sony Music, a global record company
* CBS Records International, label for Columbia Records recordings released outside North America from 1962 to 1990
* CBS Records (2006), founde ...
, " Dog Eat Dog", on which Ant can be heard saying, "Eat your heart out Do It! You can't do it, can ya?"
The song "Zerox" was originally entitled "I'm a Xerox Machine", and was intended to be the second of two singles for Decca Records, with Kick as the B-side. These versions were recorded November 1978 at RAK Studios, produced by
Snips
Snips, also known as shears, are hand tools used to cut sheet metal and other tough web (manufacturing), webs. It is a cutting tool. Workers use various types of snips, either straight or blend one be obtained. The straight or bent being not only ...
. Ant planned to include the band's "Antmanifesto" as an insert with the single.Ant, Adam. (2007), ''Stand and Deliver: The Autobiography'', London: Pan Books. p135 For the eventual release of "Zerox", these recordings were discarded in favour of the May 1979 Roundhouse recording. A spoof Decca label for the A-side, under the title "Zerox Machine (I'm A)" was printed in issue 3 of Ant fanzine ''Antics in the 90s'' in 1993.
Client version
English
electronic
Electronic may refer to:
*Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductor
* ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal
*Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device
*Electronic co ...
group
Client
Client(s) or The Client may refer to:
* Client (business)
* Client (computing), hardware or software that accesses a remote service on another computer
* Customer or client, a recipient of goods or services in return for monetary or other valuable ...
cover
Cover or covers may refer to:
Packaging
* Another name for a lid
* Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package
* Album cover, the front of the packaging
* Book cover or magazine cover
** Book design
** Back cover copy, part of co ...
"Zerox" on their third studio album, ''
Heartland
Heartland or Heartlands may refer to:
Businesses and organisations
* Heartland Bank, a New Zealand-based financial institution
* Heartland Inn, a chain of hotels based in Iowa, United States
* Heartland Alliance, an anti-poverty organization i ...
'' (2007). Released as the album's second single, it is their first release since they parted ways with Toast Hawaii. Client calls their version of the song "Zerox Machine."
Track listings
UK 7" single (LFS05)
:A. "Zerox Machine" – 4:05
:B. "Zerox Machine" (Jonny Slut/ Atomizermix) – 4:43
UK 12" single (LFSX05)
:A. "Zerox Machine" (
N-Joi
NJOI is an English production duo from Southend, Essex, England, consisting of Nigel Champion and Mark Franklin, (who met at Alleyn Court Prep School) with vocalist/ front person Saffron. Champion went to Framlingham College and Franklin to Fe ...
Remix) – 7:05
:B. "Zerox Machine" ( IDC Remix) – 5:00
U.S. CD single (MET 470)
#"Zerox Machine"
#"Loosetalking"
#"Zerox Machine" (IDC Mix)
#"Zerox Machine" (Jonny Slut/Atomizermix)
#"Zerox Machine" (
Robert Görl
Robert Görl (born 15 June 1955 in Munich) is a German musician, best known for his work with Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft (D.A.F.) and for his solo recordings, particularly ''Night Full Of Tension'' and "Darling Don't Leave Me" (together ...
Strange Pistol Mix) – 3:32
#"Zerox Machine" (Club Mix by
Covenant
Covenant may refer to:
Religion
* Covenant (religion), a formal alliance or agreement made by God with a religious community or with humanity in general
** Covenant (biblical), in the Hebrew Bible
** Covenant in Mormonism, a sacred agreement b ...