Andrew W. K.

Andrew W.K. (Wilkes-Krier, born May 9, 1979) is a rock musician in the United States. He is known for his dense and multi-layered music, unique and confounding image, and powerful 'partying' message.

Related Topics:
May 9 - 1979 - Rock - Musician - United States

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is believed that Andrew W.K. was born in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, attending the alternative Community High School from 1993-97, where he studied jazz keyboards. Much of his early background is unclear, with shadows casting significant doubts as to exactly who "Andrew W.K." is and how he came to be. Some described his rise as "coming from nowhere" and "overnight", others have claimed he is an actor who tried out for the part of a rockstar. The timeline of his origins are often presented contradictory as to sheild an observer away from the truth. It is unclear but before there was an "Andrew WK" the press was holding interveiws with a "Steev Mike" whose whole image and sound later became known as "Andrew WK" (the first appearance of "Steev Mike" was inside the pages of the cutting-edge UK magazine "Dazed & Confused". An issue from early 2000 featured a full page story on "Steev Mike" but it's nearly impossible to find this back issue). He released a number of singles with Bulb as a solo musician and performed around New York through out the 90's. After a memorable solo keyboard performance at a coffee shop on St. Mark's, W.K. was hyped by the local press. He released a few songs as a solo keyboardist and continued to tour playing any shows he could, up and down the east coast. Later, he recorded an EP of his first official "Andrew W.K." songs titled Girls Own Juice in 2000, which included songs such as "Girls Own Juice", "Make Sex", and "We Want Fun", a few of which he has re-recorded for later releases.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - California - Ann Arbor - Michigan - Community High School - 1993 - 97 - New York - St. Mark's - Girls Own Juice

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

W.K. released his second solo album, I Get Wet, in 2002 on Island Records. The album had a remarkably new and original sound, complete with pounding guitars and background synthesizers as well as prominent piano (Andrew is classically trained). It is also known for its recognizable and controversial cover art: a photo of a greasy-haired Andrew W.K. with a large stream of blood running from his nose, down his chin and onto his throat. This cover art caused a controversy in Europe, as it was seen as endorsing cocaine usage (in reality, Andrew had tried to create the nose bleed with a cinder block but when this failed he resorted to butchers shop pigs blood for the desired effect). The album went to #1 on Billboard's 'Heatseekers' list. Its retro sound garnered a lot of attention, earning Andrew W.K. a spot in Ozzy Osbourne's Ozzfest that summer, along with acts such as Down, Black Sabbath, and System of a Down. I Get Wet was considered one of the best albums of the year, with the songs "Party Hard" and "She is Beautiful" becoming smash singles.

Related Topics:
I Get Wet - Island Records - Cocaine - Ozzy Osbourne - Ozzfest - Down - Black Sabbath - System of a Down

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His work also showed up in dozens television spots: the opening track, 'It's Time To Party', was featured in commercials for Hotwire.com, Coors Beer, Expedia.com, and countless movie and T.V. soundtracks. He also recorded an original song for KitKat chocolate wafers entitled 'Gimme a Break'. In 2002, he re-recorded his old song "We Want Fun" for the soundtrack of ' which was also made into the lead music video, filmed and directed by Spike Jonze.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In late 2003, he released a sophomore album, The Wolf. In spite of Andrew's ingenious party-hearty debut, The Wolf was more an even more elaborate and ornate effort, with insightful lyrics and even more grand and melodic sound. This did not stop it from being a hit. It also spawned the singles, "Never Let Down" and "Tear It Up". The Wolf also found Andrew playing all of the instruments on the album, as he did on I Get Wet.

Related Topics:
Sophomore album - The Wolf

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004, MTV2 gave Andrew Wilkes-Krier his own television show, Your Friend, Andrew W.K.. The show was an "advice" type format, where viewers could write in to "Andrew WK" and ask for his in-person help. It was a very challanging role for Andrew Wilkes-Krier, one that would transform the extreme crazy party wild guy into the role of a wise messiah figure.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Outside of his solo work, Andrew W.K. also plays the drums in To Live and Shave in L.A., a band featuring vocalist Tom Smith.

Related Topics:
To Live and Shave in L.A. - Tom Smith

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~