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Malcolm McLaren, outspoken manager of the New York Dolls, Sex Pistols, Adam & the Ants and Bow Wow Wow passed away earlier today, Thursday 8 April 2010.

Aged just 64, Malcolm Robert Andrew McLaren died this morning at his home in New York City in hospital in Switzerland after a battle "for some time" with cancer. McLaren's apparent sudden death came as a shock to most as he had kept his illness quiet. In February he had travelled to New York for the launch of an art book before returning to Switzerland to be treated at a clinic.

A highly regarded – albeit controversial – figurehead of the early Ants community, McLaren was a key influencer of Adam's tribal sound for the regenerated Ants line-up of 1980 after the punk impressario nabbed Dave Barbe, Leigh Gorman and Matthew Ashman for his own rival band Bow Wow Wow.

We've now become quite used to Adam Ant making his now infamous guerrilla live appearances, but if you're taking a trip to London's West End Saturday morning, you may find yourself among a whole mob of Ant fanatics showing off their "Pride, Courage, Humour and Flair" as they dance the Prince Charming down Carnaby Street, W1.

A collaborative effort of fellow Ants fans and social media commentators Marcus Brown and Gareth Adams (with a friendly little nudge from Ant Lib), the Adam & the Ants Flashmob will convene for 10am sharp at the Great Marlborough Street end of Carnaby Street on Saturday 10 April. This will be the first ever Ant Flashmob of its kind, so please do spread the word to anyone you know who might be in the central London area on Saturday morning.

Later in the day, Marcus and Gareth will be performing in Tweetdom & Gomorrah - a dark, scary and funny mix of video, presentation and stand-up performance, holding up a mirror to what’s going on Online. Interesting, thought-provoking stuff and familiar territory for online Ant fans!

For more information on the Ant Flashmob, click here.
Don't quite know what the hell we're banging on about? Find out more about flashmobs here.

Adam Ant has hit back at negative criticism from fans with regards to his friendship with Hayley Thompson, former Satanic Slut who performed on drums with Adam at the Troubadour last Friday night.

Speaking to Ant Lib via Hayley on our Facebook page, Adam tells fans who have been leaving negative personal comments on internet forums:
"Everybody is entitled to their opinion about my public acitivites but when it comes to my private ones, if you respect me or my work or my attitude to sexuality in any way shape or form, I think you should keep your judgements for my work. You have the right to say that it's good or bad but not that it's right or wrong. Hayley is not only a beautiful person and an excellent drummer, but a shining example of 21st century pirate metal womanhood. Love and kisses, Adam."

When asked on whether we should / could pass on his words, Adam concluded with "Please do, if they're fans they'll understand, if not then they should wallow in a tub of misery. Remember - It was always Ant Music for Sex People. They don't sound like sex people to me."

From what we hear of last Friday's performance, Hayley is indeed a talented young lady and we at Ant Lib are pleased to welcome her into the Ant family.

Adam Ant made one of his now legendary guerrilla live performances Good Friday night, this time at his old Earl's Court haunt, The Troubadour Cafe.

Featured in Adam's autobiography Stand & Deliver as a favourite hang-out when he lived in Redcliffe Gardens back in the late 70s, the Troubadour played home to an awesome extended live set of early Ants favourites including Red Scab, It Doesn't Matter and Lady along with hits such as Stand & Deliver and even a rare live outing for Prince Charming.

The gig also saw the debut of Adam's new song, written with Satanic Slut Georgina Baillie - the infamous grand-daughter of Andrew Sachs - who was at the centre of the Radio 2 'Sachsgate' affair involving Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross.

With recent late night visits to the recording studio this week, Adam had the benefit of playing the last minute set with a full backing band (which included members of Rachel Stamp) as he performed to the small crowd of 30-40 lucky punters between 1-2am in the small hours of this morning.

Added 6 April 2010: New video of Adam performing Red Scab!

Tickets and information has been released for this year's Ant Lib Weekender - featuring our annual Adam & the Ants Celebration - to be held over the weekend of Friday 5 November - Saturday 6 November in London.

The Ant Liberation Front is proud to present the Ant Lib Weekender 2010 - bigger, better, louder and prouder with eleven hours of live Ant tributes, big screen unseen Ant video, discount merchandise and the finest Antmusic - all to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Ants' classic LP King's of the Wild Frontier.

This year we will be partying in 'Ant Land' itself - Chalk Farm: one mile east from St John's Wood, one mile south from Hampstead and a short "brush me, daddio" from Camden High Street. For from just a tenner, you'll have a weekend to remember with fellow Adam Ant fans and freaks.

For tickets & information, including our special accommodation package deal, visit the Ant Lib Weekender event page or use the form below to order your tickets instantly.

Photo: Lynda Ant