Smash Hits interview - 13 September 1984

This interview was printed in Smash Hits at the time Apollo 9 was released. The interview was by Tom Hibbert. Below are some quotes from the interview:

"I feel very proud of what I achieved with Adam and the Ants, but since I've been solo I've had a very difficult task coming to terms with life after being that successful."

"I put out Ant Rap which was very self-indulgent - a bit experimental, all drums and voices, no instruments - and when it was a hit I was totally nonplussed. I couldn't for the life of me - I SWEAR to you - understand why it went to number three. It was too easy; there should have been more from me. It was just nutty."

"When everybody likes you, you're in real trouble. And I got in real trouble"

"Apollo 9 is just me saying, "Alright, f--- it! I don't have to justify who I am. It's 1984. I'm 29 years old. This is it! Undiluted me! Wham bam whack!"

"When I had the pirate look and the warrior look, they all went in with the early stuff, the punk stuff. They were great, but I don't think the Prince Charming look did me any justice at all. It was a bit of a rush, a bit nancy: it was based on a very dodgy regency buck, men at their most frilly, and I felt a bit of a prat in it. I couldn't move in it."

"I've given them all (the Ants costumes) to the Victoria and Albert museum. They've got the lot, except the armour. The armour, I hired."

"My definition of success is a lot different now. It's not just having number ones and being on the front of all the newspapers. I've had a lot of that through my life, and I don't particularly want to go through it again. Duran Duran and Boy George can have all that. But I'll still give them a run for their money. I still like that sense of competition.

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