Best. Babysitter. Ever.
June 16, 2009 11:40 AM Subscribe
Andrew W.K. (yt): Musician (yt), Motivational speaker (nyt) and now, kids show host (auto-playing video). via
I neither know nor care who this person is
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:43 AM on June 16, 2009
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:43 AM on June 16, 2009
He showed up at my friend's party a couple years back, she said he brought a six-pack but wasn't anywhere nearly as extreme as one might expect.
posted by dunkadunc at 11:46 AM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by dunkadunc at 11:46 AM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
Seems like a nice enough guy. I still think this is an awesome album cover.
posted by HumanComplex at 11:48 AM on June 16, 2009
posted by HumanComplex at 11:48 AM on June 16, 2009
Oh, God, now I at least know. What the fuck hole did this thing crawl the fuck out of? How do we send it back?
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:48 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:48 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Any show that calls itself twisted is, in actuality, not.
Any show that's on Cartoon Network, but isn't a cartoon, makes the world die a little more.
posted by JHarris at 11:51 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Any show that's on Cartoon Network, but isn't a cartoon, makes the world die a little more.
posted by JHarris at 11:51 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
What Jharris said.
The name says it all. With host, Andrew W.K., two teams take turns destroying each other's materials, then putting them back together, then destroying them again. Oh, and things blow up.
How the HOLY HELL is that on the cartoon network?
posted by cavalier at 11:55 AM on June 16, 2009
The name says it all. With host, Andrew W.K., two teams take turns destroying each other's materials, then putting them back together, then destroying them again. Oh, and things blow up.
How the HOLY HELL is that on the cartoon network?
posted by cavalier at 11:55 AM on June 16, 2009
kittens for breakfast: "Oh, God, now I at least know. What the fuck hole did this thing crawl the fuck out of? How do we send it back?"
You are, perhaps, allergic to being awesome.
Little known fact: Andrew WK suffers from a 17-hydroxylase deficiency.
How it begins
The shocking reveal
and it goes on
but that's not enough
So here's this
posted by boo_radley at 11:58 AM on June 16, 2009 [6 favorites]
You are, perhaps, allergic to being awesome.
Little known fact: Andrew WK suffers from a 17-hydroxylase deficiency.
How it begins
The shocking reveal
and it goes on
but that's not enough
So here's this
posted by boo_radley at 11:58 AM on June 16, 2009 [6 favorites]
It's like an off-off-brand version of Mythbusters. First there was Smash Lab trying to be all EXTREME yet completely un-fun, now we've got this guy who's all PARTY PARTY PARTY except they won't allow him to be like that with the kids.
Unless, maybe, it'll be like that sketch in The Groove Tube where the TV clown makes the kids send their parents out of the room whereupon he reads chapters out of banned 1800s erotic novels. That could be sweet.
posted by dunkadunc at 11:58 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Unless, maybe, it'll be like that sketch in The Groove Tube where the TV clown makes the kids send their parents out of the room whereupon he reads chapters out of banned 1800s erotic novels. That could be sweet.
posted by dunkadunc at 11:58 AM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I neither know nor care who this person is
Here's to another ten years, Metafilter!
posted by Ian A.T. at 11:59 AM on June 16, 2009 [28 favorites]
Here's to another ten years, Metafilter!
posted by Ian A.T. at 11:59 AM on June 16, 2009 [28 favorites]
We watched this recently. My daughters thought it was awesome. It seems like a natural progression for those kids who are obsessed with construction machinery videos as toddlers, I guess.
posted by padraigin at 12:05 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by padraigin at 12:05 PM on June 16, 2009
I actually went to high school with him and circulated in some of the same groups. I thought that NY Mag article was pretty interesting—in the classes I had with him, he was a pretty quiet guy. He was recognized more for, like, constantly making out with his girlfriend in the first floor stairwell alcove than anything else (CONSTANTLY). But I used to go to the Green Room too, to see bands like the Pterodactyls (where he played bass, I think), and the music there kind of blew my mind.
I mean, it's kind of weird to think of the biggest bands that came out of that small scene—Andrew WK and Wolf Eyes both came out of pretty much the exact same moment. But Pete Larsen, the guy who ran Bulb Records (where both bands got their start) had a band called Danse Asshole that was, like, exactly in the middle—a militant, infectious noise party band that was like the Laibach of fun, and a lot of Andrew's public persona seems to have come from that.
I also really sympathize with the idea of being outside of a scene—I didn't know he felt that way, but I certainly did. I went to all these shows, but never really fit in with the people who were in the scene. Even when I was covering local rock, I was always outside it, which may be part of why it was kinda unsatisfying.
Maybe I'll see if I can write him a letter.
posted by klangklangston at 12:06 PM on June 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
I mean, it's kind of weird to think of the biggest bands that came out of that small scene—Andrew WK and Wolf Eyes both came out of pretty much the exact same moment. But Pete Larsen, the guy who ran Bulb Records (where both bands got their start) had a band called Danse Asshole that was, like, exactly in the middle—a militant, infectious noise party band that was like the Laibach of fun, and a lot of Andrew's public persona seems to have come from that.
I also really sympathize with the idea of being outside of a scene—I didn't know he felt that way, but I certainly did. I went to all these shows, but never really fit in with the people who were in the scene. Even when I was covering local rock, I was always outside it, which may be part of why it was kinda unsatisfying.
Maybe I'll see if I can write him a letter.
posted by klangklangston at 12:06 PM on June 16, 2009 [4 favorites]
You are, perhaps, allergic to being awesome.
Oh God. I don't know what it is. I just hated him immediately. It seems like he's the Borat of whatever it is he does, I don't know. Ugh.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:06 PM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
Oh God. I don't know what it is. I just hated him immediately. It seems like he's the Borat of whatever it is he does, I don't know. Ugh.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:06 PM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
"If I blow this house up, will you promise to behave, and mind your Mommy and Daddy?"
posted by steef at 12:07 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by steef at 12:07 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
two teams take turns destroying each other's materials, then putting them back together, then destroying them again
It's about time kids start learning about the impermanence of being and the transitory nature of existence. I think Andrew WK is in his own way the perfect teacher. Party Hard, indeed.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:08 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
It's about time kids start learning about the impermanence of being and the transitory nature of existence. I think Andrew WK is in his own way the perfect teacher. Party Hard, indeed.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:08 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
Oh, and I'm curious to see whether Orville Sash will come and comment here, because he went to high school with us too, and was kinda into similar stuff.
posted by klangklangston at 12:09 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by klangklangston at 12:09 PM on June 16, 2009
you forgot pretty awesome dude (wiki).
On Friday, December 5th 2008, a die hard Andrew W.K. fan named Dominic Owen Mallary died after an accident while his band Last Lights performed at Boston University. Dominic had always said his dying wish was to have Andrew W.K. blasted at his wake. Catching wind of this, Andrew came to the wake, and played classical piano for the entire time after paying his respects.
posted by hissing sissing at 12:10 PM on June 16, 2009 [6 favorites]
On Friday, December 5th 2008, a die hard Andrew W.K. fan named Dominic Owen Mallary died after an accident while his band Last Lights performed at Boston University. Dominic had always said his dying wish was to have Andrew W.K. blasted at his wake. Catching wind of this, Andrew came to the wake, and played classical piano for the entire time after paying his respects.
posted by hissing sissing at 12:10 PM on June 16, 2009 [6 favorites]
How the HOLY HELL is that on the cartoon network?
Pfft....SciFi has wrestling. It's like "One Hour Dry-Cleaning." That's just the name of the shop, dear.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:11 PM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
Pfft....SciFi has wrestling. It's like "One Hour Dry-Cleaning." That's just the name of the shop, dear.
posted by Thorzdad at 12:11 PM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
If everyone in this world aspired to be half as nice as Andrew W.K., it would be a very decent place to live.
Also, I would've killed to be on this show as a kid. Well, maybe not killed. Definitely maimed though.
posted by giraffe at 12:12 PM on June 16, 2009
Also, I would've killed to be on this show as a kid. Well, maybe not killed. Definitely maimed though.
posted by giraffe at 12:12 PM on June 16, 2009
One thing that I like about Andrew W.K. is his easily identifiable uniform. I hope that some day I have enough money to always wear the same thing. It would take a lot of the pressure off and make me more like a cartoon character which I like. It would be awesome to open up my closet and see four pairs of the same pants and 10 of the same shirt going on a trip, I wonder what I'll wear? HMMM. Right now the only people who have that luxury are Andrew W.K. and people who need to be able to kill people for their jobs.
posted by I Foody at 12:17 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by I Foody at 12:17 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Sadly, all the Youtube videos are not available in my country due to copyright restrictions. Are they worried about him corrupting Europe?
posted by dunkadunc at 12:21 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by dunkadunc at 12:21 PM on June 16, 2009
Works fine in Spain.. Guess we're plenty corrupt over here already.
posted by slimepuppy at 12:23 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by slimepuppy at 12:23 PM on June 16, 2009
Oh God. I don't know what it is. I just hated him immediately. It seems like he's the Borat of whatever it is he does, I don't know. Ugh.
Big fan of his music here. He's kind of like a young, skinny, hyper-caffeinated Meat Loaf, all epic song structures and banging on the piano and overwrought lyrics. His songs are crazy catchy, to me at least, and many of them are just amazing rock songs. I give you "Girl's Own Love," "She is Beautiful" and "We Want Fun."
He also appears to be a genuinely nice and positive guy, from all I've heard and read.
posted by jbickers at 12:23 PM on June 16, 2009
Big fan of his music here. He's kind of like a young, skinny, hyper-caffeinated Meat Loaf, all epic song structures and banging on the piano and overwrought lyrics. His songs are crazy catchy, to me at least, and many of them are just amazing rock songs. I give you "Girl's Own Love," "She is Beautiful" and "We Want Fun."
He also appears to be a genuinely nice and positive guy, from all I've heard and read.
posted by jbickers at 12:23 PM on June 16, 2009
Crashing With Andrew W.K. - so good
posted by hissing sissing at 12:28 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by hissing sissing at 12:28 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
He also appears to be a genuinely nice and positive guy, from all I've heard and read.
I think I'm just having a low irony tolerance day, honestly. I'm sure I'd find this guy much less annoying under better circumstances, and I apologize to his admirers, serious, semi-serious, and otherwise.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:28 PM on June 16, 2009
I think I'm just having a low irony tolerance day, honestly. I'm sure I'd find this guy much less annoying under better circumstances, and I apologize to his admirers, serious, semi-serious, and otherwise.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 12:28 PM on June 16, 2009
I hope that some day I have enough money to always wear the same thing
Hear, hear.
I feel like I've been to a pretty good amount of concerts in my life, but Andrew W.K. is hands down the absolute best "musical" experience I've ever had. The guy is so genuine and so god damn nice it's infectious. Half of his set was sung by audience members that he carried around on his shoulders. At one point he even basically said that he knew he wasn't the best musician out there, but that he was determined to give us a good time and take our worries off our minds (this was not long after 9/11), and he really did. The show ended sometime around midnight (when I left) but the next day a friend told me that W.K. had stayed in the venue parking lot till about 4am hanging out with people.
posted by Roman Graves at 12:39 PM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
Hear, hear.
I feel like I've been to a pretty good amount of concerts in my life, but Andrew W.K. is hands down the absolute best "musical" experience I've ever had. The guy is so genuine and so god damn nice it's infectious. Half of his set was sung by audience members that he carried around on his shoulders. At one point he even basically said that he knew he wasn't the best musician out there, but that he was determined to give us a good time and take our worries off our minds (this was not long after 9/11), and he really did. The show ended sometime around midnight (when I left) but the next day a friend told me that W.K. had stayed in the venue parking lot till about 4am hanging out with people.
posted by Roman Graves at 12:39 PM on June 16, 2009 [2 favorites]
Aren't there like, several Andrew W.K.s?
There are millions of us. And we're all coming over to kittens for breakfast's house to give him a sweaty hug and some complimentary see-thru white jeans.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:42 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
There are millions of us. And we're all coming over to kittens for breakfast's house to give him a sweaty hug and some complimentary see-thru white jeans.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:42 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I don't often listen to his music, but I find that whenever I hear it, I invariably end up with a big goofy grin on my face. There is just something infectious about his enthusiasm.
And the fact that the music is really happy and upbeat makes me want to film something horrific and brutal just so that I can combine the two and create something mind-hurting.
posted by quin at 12:43 PM on June 16, 2009
And the fact that the music is really happy and upbeat makes me want to film something horrific and brutal just so that I can combine the two and create something mind-hurting.
posted by quin at 12:43 PM on June 16, 2009
Andrew W.K. is amazing and cares about each and every one of his fans.
He got popular just as I entered college, and while I rolled my eyes at his music initially, I went to one of his shows in Hollywood with a few friends. It was the most fun I'd ever had at a musical performance.
Later, one of my friends who had gone sent him an email, explaining just how positive and uplifting AWK's music had been during a tough time in his life. Andrew W.K. called the number that my friend had in his email signature, and talked to him for about 10 minutes about how much letters like that meant to him. He then called my friend back, at his request, and left him a voicemail about how important it was to love life and cherish every day.
He does not make "great" music, and if you want to, you can have the same reaction that pitchfork.com did to him: slap a 0.6 out of 10 on it and hate him because he's the last non-ironic person left in America.
As for me, I will continue to listen to "I Love New York City" every time I go on a run, buy every album he releases, and admire the guy for the rest of his career.
posted by Damn That Television at 12:44 PM on June 16, 2009 [13 favorites]
He got popular just as I entered college, and while I rolled my eyes at his music initially, I went to one of his shows in Hollywood with a few friends. It was the most fun I'd ever had at a musical performance.
Later, one of my friends who had gone sent him an email, explaining just how positive and uplifting AWK's music had been during a tough time in his life. Andrew W.K. called the number that my friend had in his email signature, and talked to him for about 10 minutes about how much letters like that meant to him. He then called my friend back, at his request, and left him a voicemail about how important it was to love life and cherish every day.
He does not make "great" music, and if you want to, you can have the same reaction that pitchfork.com did to him: slap a 0.6 out of 10 on it and hate him because he's the last non-ironic person left in America.
As for me, I will continue to listen to "I Love New York City" every time I go on a run, buy every album he releases, and admire the guy for the rest of his career.
posted by Damn That Television at 12:44 PM on June 16, 2009 [13 favorites]
I neither know nor care who this person is
posted by kittens for breakfast
Stop lying. Everyone knows the WK stands for Weetabix Kittens.
posted by Sys Rq at 12:44 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by kittens for breakfast
Stop lying. Everyone knows the WK stands for Weetabix Kittens.
posted by Sys Rq at 12:44 PM on June 16, 2009
Any friend of Nardwuar's is a friend of mine.
Oh man. Thank you for that link. Andrew WK + The Evaporators = pure win.
posted by threetoed at 12:45 PM on June 16, 2009
Oh man. Thank you for that link. Andrew WK + The Evaporators = pure win.
posted by threetoed at 12:45 PM on June 16, 2009
i met him once, briefly, and he's a nice guy. i mean like a 'yes, ma'am,' 'thank you,' 'really appreciate it,' kind of guy. i'm not a fan of his music (and consequently know little about it except that it didn't ring my bell), but i was hugely impressed with him.
posted by msconduct at 12:48 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by msconduct at 12:48 PM on June 16, 2009
Don't forget ANDREW WK VS. THE JUGGALOS
posted by boo_radley at 12:58 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by boo_radley at 12:58 PM on June 16, 2009 [3 favorites]
He's also friends with David Tibet, and has performed and recorded with Current 93, which is just intensely awesome.
posted by infinitywaltz at 1:11 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by infinitywaltz at 1:11 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I love Andrew W.K.
For a lot of the reasons stated in this thread. His music is the epitome of Big Dumb Fun. He makes indie rockers weep. He confounds expectations. He's dirty, slightly scary, and committed to doing shit his way. His songs sound GREAT when you're drunk. That's rock 'n' roll.
I have a friend who is almost a self-parody of the Indie Hipster. Everything has to have Meaning and Subtext and Fit Into the Proper Tiny Musical Sub-Genre of the Week. He listens to the Decembrists*, for fuck's sake. Every Christmas I give him a copy of Andrew W.K.'s "I Get Wet". I think he has six or seven identical CDs now.
Every year the joke gets funnier. To me, at least.
*[NOT Decembrists-ist]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:15 PM on June 16, 2009 [23 favorites]
For a lot of the reasons stated in this thread. His music is the epitome of Big Dumb Fun. He makes indie rockers weep. He confounds expectations. He's dirty, slightly scary, and committed to doing shit his way. His songs sound GREAT when you're drunk. That's rock 'n' roll.
I have a friend who is almost a self-parody of the Indie Hipster. Everything has to have Meaning and Subtext and Fit Into the Proper Tiny Musical Sub-Genre of the Week. He listens to the Decembrists*, for fuck's sake. Every Christmas I give him a copy of Andrew W.K.'s "I Get Wet". I think he has six or seven identical CDs now.
Every year the joke gets funnier. To me, at least.
*[NOT Decembrists-ist]
posted by BitterOldPunk at 1:15 PM on June 16, 2009 [23 favorites]
Anyone who comes up with a song because of something he heard on McLaughlin Group is king of awesome in my book.
posted by cimbrog at 1:16 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by cimbrog at 1:16 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Aren't there like, several Andrew W.K.s?
Good question. There are a number of strange conspiracy theories about a supposed falling-out between AWK and someone called Steev Mike. For a few years, some weird, coded messages kept appearing on AWK's websites (follow links from wiki for archived versions). Some people think it was an ARG that no one quite picked up on.
There are some strange circumstances, not the least of which is AWK's move away from performing in the US to instead doing these speaking engagements (as well as "party tours," a la Paris Hilton). Also, when his last album came out, he said it was the first of three in one year. That was 3+ years ago.
Whatever's going on, I really hope that he returns to music. His most recent album is truly amazing. In addition to the usual thousand-layer dance tracks, it has several surprising piano-driven songs. I really wanted to see where his music would go next.
posted by roll truck roll at 1:19 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Good question. There are a number of strange conspiracy theories about a supposed falling-out between AWK and someone called Steev Mike. For a few years, some weird, coded messages kept appearing on AWK's websites (follow links from wiki for archived versions). Some people think it was an ARG that no one quite picked up on.
There are some strange circumstances, not the least of which is AWK's move away from performing in the US to instead doing these speaking engagements (as well as "party tours," a la Paris Hilton). Also, when his last album came out, he said it was the first of three in one year. That was 3+ years ago.
Whatever's going on, I really hope that he returns to music. His most recent album is truly amazing. In addition to the usual thousand-layer dance tracks, it has several surprising piano-driven songs. I really wanted to see where his music would go next.
posted by roll truck roll at 1:19 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
infinitywaltz: "He's also friends with David Tibet, and has performed and recorded with Current 93, which is just intensely awesome."
what
posted by boo_radley at 1:19 PM on June 16, 2009
what
posted by boo_radley at 1:19 PM on June 16, 2009
I only like one of his songs, but I also like his 'tude a lot.
Also, I'm amused that he had Donald Tardy of Obituary playing on all of these party-party songs.
posted by ignignokt at 1:44 PM on June 16, 2009
Also, I'm amused that he had Donald Tardy of Obituary playing on all of these party-party songs.
posted by ignignokt at 1:44 PM on June 16, 2009
"Steev Mike"?!? hey that's how i spell my first name, and i'm the only one allowed to spell it that way, dammit. it's even spelled that way on my class ring. lawsuit's coming. or not. well, probably not.
But Andrew W.K. rocks at what he does. And all the hate's just silly. Like how people are always hating on Sufjan Stevens for no real reason other than that somebody they know likes him a little too much and that rubs them the wrong way.
posted by saulgoodman at 1:54 PM on June 16, 2009
But Andrew W.K. rocks at what he does. And all the hate's just silly. Like how people are always hating on Sufjan Stevens for no real reason other than that somebody they know likes him a little too much and that rubs them the wrong way.
posted by saulgoodman at 1:54 PM on June 16, 2009
yep. Leave it to Metafilter to try to tear down a fun-loving metaldude who just wants to have good time.
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 2:04 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by ElmerFishpaw at 2:04 PM on June 16, 2009
When I was 14, Andrew, myself and two other friends started a band called "Lab Lob Otomy." To Andrew, we were a 'noise' band, gleefully deconstructing and defying everyone else's notions of what was and wasn't music. I think to the rest of the band we were just making as much noise as possible in lieu of actually knowing how to play our instruments. Even then, Andrew was prodigiously talented as a multi-instrumentalist (he played drums in the band, but he was an incredible pianist.)
On top of Lab Lob Otomy, the members collaborated on a bunch of one-off projects, but it became clear around the time Lab Lob Otomy dissolved (around my16th birthday) that we really just couldn't keep up. Andrew was something of a musical perfectionist, and we were just not disciplined or talented enough performers to stay toe to toe with him. I think that says a lot as to why he continued to perform largely solo after that.
As a person he's a very good guy, and even though I initially thought his whole sincerity kick was an Andy Kaufmann-esque pose, I came to realize that he knows it's a joke but he still means it.
I still see him sometimes. I went to his wedding a few months ago. He's good people, and he's managed to carve out an amazing little niche for himself that few performers get, where he can (and does) try just about everything. More power to him.
BTW - I know what Steev Mike is, but I ain't sayin' shit.
posted by orville sash at 2:16 PM on June 16, 2009 [24 favorites]
On top of Lab Lob Otomy, the members collaborated on a bunch of one-off projects, but it became clear around the time Lab Lob Otomy dissolved (around my16th birthday) that we really just couldn't keep up. Andrew was something of a musical perfectionist, and we were just not disciplined or talented enough performers to stay toe to toe with him. I think that says a lot as to why he continued to perform largely solo after that.
As a person he's a very good guy, and even though I initially thought his whole sincerity kick was an Andy Kaufmann-esque pose, I came to realize that he knows it's a joke but he still means it.
I still see him sometimes. I went to his wedding a few months ago. He's good people, and he's managed to carve out an amazing little niche for himself that few performers get, where he can (and does) try just about everything. More power to him.
BTW - I know what Steev Mike is, but I ain't sayin' shit.
posted by orville sash at 2:16 PM on June 16, 2009 [24 favorites]
I had never invested more than a rolleyes at the thought of Andrew W.K. until today. Finding out he's a genuinely nice, earnest guy who wants to help people just have fun makes me like him even if his music is a little dumb*.
Thanks Metafilter!
* - Says the guy who has the soundtrack to Dead & Breakfast consistently at the top of his playlist.
posted by djeo at 2:17 PM on June 16, 2009
Thanks Metafilter!
* - Says the guy who has the soundtrack to Dead & Breakfast consistently at the top of his playlist.
posted by djeo at 2:17 PM on June 16, 2009
Embarrassing.
"He has two-initials for a last name so he must be really cool."
posted by Zambrano at 2:18 PM on June 16, 2009
"He has two-initials for a last name so he must be really cool."
posted by Zambrano at 2:18 PM on June 16, 2009
cimbrog: "Anyone who comes up with a song because of something he heard on McLaughlin Group is king of awesome in my book."
More context to this.
posted by boo_radley at 2:21 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
More context to this.
posted by boo_radley at 2:21 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
I felt like Aqua Teen Hunger Force was somehow the perfect venue for him.
posted by creasy boy at 2:23 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by creasy boy at 2:23 PM on June 16, 2009
"When I was 14, Andrew, myself and two other friends started a band called "Lab Lob Otomy." "
Oh, dude, I forgot he was in Lab Lob!
posted by klangklangston at 2:26 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, dude, I forgot he was in Lab Lob!
posted by klangklangston at 2:26 PM on June 16, 2009 [1 favorite]
Next up: klangklangston and orville sash were never in a band with Andrew WK, and are actually genetic clones of Tom Cruise grown in a lab.
posted by dunkadunc at 2:51 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by dunkadunc at 2:51 PM on June 16, 2009
I was never in a band with him. I've only been in one band in my life, called Marvin Loves Paczkis, and we played in Peter Brzinkski's basement.
This is because I am singularly terrible at making music and with working with other people. If I was only one or the other, maybe I'd have been in more bands.
posted by klangklangston at 3:11 PM on June 16, 2009
This is because I am singularly terrible at making music and with working with other people. If I was only one or the other, maybe I'd have been in more bands.
posted by klangklangston at 3:11 PM on June 16, 2009
I once went to a show on Halloween where Andrew WK was inexplicably playing with a bunch of punk bands. The first band came on, dressed as the Ramones. Andrew WK came on, dressed as himself. Then the main band (Flogging Molly, I believe) came on, and they were all dressed up as Andrew WK. It was pretty priceless.
posted by hopeless romantique at 3:34 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by hopeless romantique at 3:34 PM on June 16, 2009
he knows it's a joke but he still means it
That's Andrew W.K. in a nutshell, I think.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:52 PM on June 16, 2009
That's Andrew W.K. in a nutshell, I think.
posted by Sys Rq at 3:52 PM on June 16, 2009
Oh. man. I remember when I Get Wet came out. I saw the "Party Hard" video, and immediately hated this guy. Hated. Thought the whole experience was so awful that I told my friends how awful it was. About three weeks later, I couldn't get the damn song out of my head, and I read the Onion interview with him, and completely reversed my position on him. I bought the album, listened to it a lot, told all my friends how great the album was, bought The Wolf when it came out, and really think that AWK is awesome. Er, AWKsome.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:05 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by Mister Moofoo at 4:05 PM on June 16, 2009
I think I must just hate fun because I've always found him irritating, slightly creepy, and vaguely distasteful. There's just something about the combination of exuberant perkiness with greasy-haired, shouty-anthem-rocky, vaguely hyper masculine posturing that weirds me out. And I've always though it's a shame because he seems like nice guy.
Now that I think about it, maybe I just don't like shouting. Huh.
posted by mostlymartha at 4:26 PM on June 16, 2009
Now that I think about it, maybe I just don't like shouting. Huh.
posted by mostlymartha at 4:26 PM on June 16, 2009
Funny -- I was just listening to AWK's I Get Wet on the car this afternoon.
"The last unironic person in North America" is a good way of putting it.
BitterOldPunk: I owe you a beer. That story's brilliant!
posted by spoobnooble at 5:12 PM on June 16, 2009
"The last unironic person in North America" is a good way of putting it.
BitterOldPunk: I owe you a beer. That story's brilliant!
posted by spoobnooble at 5:12 PM on June 16, 2009
So Andrew W.K. is actually the love child of Jonathan Richman and Mister Rogers, but a little more intense? Genetics is awesome. I always looked down on him, too -- maybe because of that album cover -- but I've checked out the videos and actually listened, and it's pretty fun music.
I was once in a thrash band called Dead Christian Scientists. Andrew W.K. wasn't a member. Neither was klangklangston nor orville sash. Am sad now.
posted by maudlin at 6:31 PM on June 16, 2009
I was once in a thrash band called Dead Christian Scientists. Andrew W.K. wasn't a member. Neither was klangklangston nor orville sash. Am sad now.
posted by maudlin at 6:31 PM on June 16, 2009
I have been instructed both by a federal judge and by my therapist to come into any thread about Andrew W.K. and say this:
I officially do not mind that other people like Andrew W. K., and while he makes my blood boil with his simpering, cheese-headed mush thinly veiled in testosterone, I have promised society that I will not punch people who like him in the face, nor will I kick them in the crotch or even do that three stooges eye-poke thing. And most of all I will under no circumstances chant ancient incantations and call down the hoary wrath of the Dark Lord to visit eternal fiery damnation upon even the children's children of anyone who counts themselves a ‘fan’ of the aforementioned W.K.
Thank you. That is all.
posted by koeselitz at 9:05 PM on June 16, 2009
I officially do not mind that other people like Andrew W. K., and while he makes my blood boil with his simpering, cheese-headed mush thinly veiled in testosterone, I have promised society that I will not punch people who like him in the face, nor will I kick them in the crotch or even do that three stooges eye-poke thing. And most of all I will under no circumstances chant ancient incantations and call down the hoary wrath of the Dark Lord to visit eternal fiery damnation upon even the children's children of anyone who counts themselves a ‘fan’ of the aforementioned W.K.
Thank you. That is all.
posted by koeselitz at 9:05 PM on June 16, 2009
Putting a couple of completely unrelated comments from up-thread together, and throwing in a dash of nuttery from the Steev Mike conspiracy theory website for flavor, I'll venture a wild guess about the solution to the "Steev Mike" mystery:
Exhibit 1: Little known fact: Andrew WK suffers from a 17-hydroxylase deficiency.
Exhibit 2: BTW - I know what [emphasis added] Steev Mike is, but I ain't sayin' shit.
Exhibit 3: "The common-place quality of each name [Steev/Mike] on it’s own actually becomes extraordinary when the names are coupled together." [Sort of like male and female genitalia, which are common in isolation, but much less so unified into a single sexual organ.]
"Steev Mike" is the name Andrew W.K. has given to his ambiguous genitalia.
posted by saulgoodman at 9:28 PM on June 16, 2009
Exhibit 1: Little known fact: Andrew WK suffers from a 17-hydroxylase deficiency.
Exhibit 2: BTW - I know what [emphasis added] Steev Mike is, but I ain't sayin' shit.
Exhibit 3: "The common-place quality of each name [Steev/Mike] on it’s own actually becomes extraordinary when the names are coupled together." [Sort of like male and female genitalia, which are common in isolation, but much less so unified into a single sexual organ.]
"Steev Mike" is the name Andrew W.K. has given to his ambiguous genitalia.
posted by saulgoodman at 9:28 PM on June 16, 2009
Andrew WK really should stick with what he's good at - PARTYING and promotion thereof.
posted by champthom at 10:05 PM on June 16, 2009
posted by champthom at 10:05 PM on June 16, 2009
I've been lobbying hard for She Is Beautiful to be first dance at my wedding. It has been unsuccessful to say the least.
posted by minifigs at 1:45 AM on June 17, 2009
posted by minifigs at 1:45 AM on June 17, 2009
My wedding had a rather...eclectic...mix of music, and we had a relatively non-traditional ceremony. The last song on the mix before the ceremony started was AWK's "It's Time to Party."
It wasn't all terrible music; our first dance was Nat King Cole's rendition of "There is No Greater Love." However, the song immediately after being declared husband and wife was the Price is Right theme.
posted by explosion at 4:58 AM on June 17, 2009
It wasn't all terrible music; our first dance was Nat King Cole's rendition of "There is No Greater Love." However, the song immediately after being declared husband and wife was the Price is Right theme.
posted by explosion at 4:58 AM on June 17, 2009
Confession time: I made this post in a totally Metafilter-worthy ironic and snarky mood. But seeing that Andrew W.K. brings out the happiness in this otherwise jaded bunch in a way similar to the love felt for Mister Rogers, I felt compelled to get some of his music before I completely dismissed him, and you know what, it's not bad. I have been converted. I totally take back my irony.
Is this what post-irony is? Because it's not bad either. Kinda warm and happy, you know, like a party.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 5:47 AM on June 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
Is this what post-irony is? Because it's not bad either. Kinda warm and happy, you know, like a party.
posted by 1f2frfbf at 5:47 AM on June 17, 2009 [3 favorites]
I didn't think much about AWK until hearing his interview from a few years ago on The Sound of Young America. While I still don't have any of his music, I'm intrigued by whatever the guy does.
Also, "the Laibach of fun" = my new favorite descriptive phrase.
posted by anthom at 8:44 AM on June 17, 2009
Also, "the Laibach of fun" = my new favorite descriptive phrase.
posted by anthom at 8:44 AM on June 17, 2009
Here's the Danse Asshole song "Lazers", which should make clear some of their appeal. Pete Larson (I spelled his name wrong above) is the front man, and has this insane, maniacal way of bringing the audience into a sing-along every time just through, like, sheer willpower. Every song has these pseudo-choreographed movements, and he rages through the audience, making them all conform. I just wish they'd release more albums, but I think since Pete's finishing up his math doctorate (something about mathematically modeling epidemics), his noize days are behind him.
But his records, both as Danse Asshole and 25 Suaves are totally worthwhile, and I think he may still have some Andrew WK 12"s around, as for a long time he was financing the rest of Bulb by selling them off to collectors (though it's not something I'd necessarily approach him about right off—I think he and Andrew still get along, but Pete can be a prickly guy and I know that he was pretty resentful of folks only trying to get WK stuff out of him because WK was famous, and ignoring the rest of the pretty great stuff on the label).
posted by klangklangston at 10:19 AM on June 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
But his records, both as Danse Asshole and 25 Suaves are totally worthwhile, and I think he may still have some Andrew WK 12"s around, as for a long time he was financing the rest of Bulb by selling them off to collectors (though it's not something I'd necessarily approach him about right off—I think he and Andrew still get along, but Pete can be a prickly guy and I know that he was pretty resentful of folks only trying to get WK stuff out of him because WK was famous, and ignoring the rest of the pretty great stuff on the label).
posted by klangklangston at 10:19 AM on June 17, 2009 [2 favorites]
Thanks for uploading that, Klang. It'll be my theme song for today.
posted by roll truck roll at 10:46 AM on June 17, 2009
posted by roll truck roll at 10:46 AM on June 17, 2009
Oh God wait. Is "Lazers" why the obnoxious b-tard girl on my twitter list is always randomly posting, "Shootin mah LAZERS!!!" Is it? I...I think I have to hate that, too. I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry. I'm...I'm like the antichrist of fun.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:11 AM on June 17, 2009
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:11 AM on June 17, 2009
I really doubt it. If she was posting LAZERS… FROM MY EYES, then maybe.
posted by klangklangston at 11:20 AM on June 17, 2009
posted by klangklangston at 11:20 AM on June 17, 2009
Okay. Carry on then.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:21 AM on June 17, 2009
posted by kittens for breakfast at 11:21 AM on June 17, 2009
I saw Andrew WK in Tempe years ago and was shite-face wasted with my best friend who, along with myself, fell in love with the 'Wet' album the moment it came out. I have very, very good music taste (or so I'd like to think, I suppose), but Andrew W.K. still blasted through whatever walls I might of had up the moment I heard 'It's Time to Party'.
After the show, we went on his bus. We danced with him on stage, then stumbled out and straight onto his bus and got to hang out with him for a few minutes while he relaxed before going out to hang out with the rest of his fans. He was super cool.
It's unfair to say you know what the Steev Mike thing is without sharing. I hate you now.
posted by Bageena at 11:56 PM on June 17, 2009
After the show, we went on his bus. We danced with him on stage, then stumbled out and straight onto his bus and got to hang out with him for a few minutes while he relaxed before going out to hang out with the rest of his fans. He was super cool.
It's unfair to say you know what the Steev Mike thing is without sharing. I hate you now.
posted by Bageena at 11:56 PM on June 17, 2009
Thorzdad: "19How the HOLY HELL is that on the cartoon network?
Pfft....SciFi has wrestling. It's like "One Hour Dry-Cleaning." That's just the name of the shop, dear."
I remember when the channel started up, they had in frequent rotation that promised, if you tune in on Sunday, you'll get a cartoon. if you turn in on Tuesday, you'll get a cartoon. Turn in late at night, you'll get a cartoon. Forever and ever and ever and ever, UNTIL THE END OF TIME.
Universe ended pretty quickly, all things told.
(And I explain Sci-Fi showing wrestling as a window into an alternate universe. A badassedly strange one.)
posted by JHarris at 9:32 AM on June 18, 2009
Pfft....SciFi has wrestling. It's like "One Hour Dry-Cleaning." That's just the name of the shop, dear."
I remember when the channel started up, they had in frequent rotation that promised, if you tune in on Sunday, you'll get a cartoon. if you turn in on Tuesday, you'll get a cartoon. Turn in late at night, you'll get a cartoon. Forever and ever and ever and ever, UNTIL THE END OF TIME.
Universe ended pretty quickly, all things told.
(And I explain Sci-Fi showing wrestling as a window into an alternate universe. A badassedly strange one.)
posted by JHarris at 9:32 AM on June 18, 2009
Are they worried about him corrupting Europe?
He was on Top of the Pops, and the cover of the NME. I haven't thought about him for about ten years. He was the musical equivalent of the dot-com bubble.
posted by mippy at 10:32 AM on June 18, 2009
He was on Top of the Pops, and the cover of the NME. I haven't thought about him for about ten years. He was the musical equivalent of the dot-com bubble.
posted by mippy at 10:32 AM on June 18, 2009
I've spent a bit of time with Andrew, and he is one of the best people I've ever met. I mean that entirely sincerely. He is a seriously good dude, and he rocks like a mf.
posted by YoungAmerican at 5:56 PM on June 21, 2009
posted by YoungAmerican at 5:56 PM on June 21, 2009
« Older chuck chuck chuck-it-too-ee zhew zhew! | Dairy Odes Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by gagglezoomer at 11:43 AM on June 16, 2009