PARTY HARD - The Many Faces of Andrew WK

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  • Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024

Комментарии • 995

  • @drshades1
    @drshades1 Год назад +294

    I've met him twice: Once after his 50 state motivational speaking tour, and another time at a meet-and-greet. He couldn't POSSIBLY be cooler. Polite, friendly, unpretentious, . . . the list goes on. I've never met anyone more worthy of fandom than Andrew W.K. He is my absolute favorite celebrity for LIFE.

    • @jackshittle
      @jackshittle 10 месяцев назад

      I had meet n greet passes for Megadeth only to confirm that yes, Dave Mustaine is a dick.

    • @varicosevisage4794
      @varicosevisage4794 2 месяца назад +7

      He was one of the first people i told that I was trans and he told me I was beautiful and that being myself is the most party thing i can do. Love that man

    • @YoshimitsuBloodPedal
      @YoshimitsuBloodPedal Месяц назад +2

      I used to have his email and wrote him a couple times. He always responded. Hes the fucking man!

    • @SNOwyte
      @SNOwyte 17 дней назад +1

      Its funny Chris jericho is the nicest n coolest celebrity i ever met, literally chilled w me n my brother at an indy show he was only at for a meet and greet, but sat w us in the crowd fo the whole 3 hour show just kickin w us when we was like 12 years old

    • @RoastBeefQueefSniffer
      @RoastBeefQueefSniffer 11 дней назад

      ​@@varicosevisage4794That's awesome.

  • @Lunberjack33
    @Lunberjack33 2 года назад +904

    I briefly worked for him around 2011.
    He is the real deal. I don’t really care for his music much, but he is everything his persona stands for, and seriously good dude.

    • @nomernomznomz6015
      @nomernomznomz6015 2 года назад +28

      yeah some people are simply who they say they are.

    • @crescendo5594
      @crescendo5594 2 года назад +24

      Man, this is such a feel good comment.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад +5

      Employed as a sound tech?

    • @markschroeder5559
      @markschroeder5559 2 года назад +25

      ...says Steve Mike.

    • @InfiniteRhombus
      @InfiniteRhombus 2 года назад +17

      I had the same experience, hes cool and nice as fuck and is legitimately the same in private as he is when hes in public, hes a trip

  • @johntrentmusic
    @johntrentmusic 2 года назад +134

    Andrew W.K. personally called me on Christmas day to thank me for buying his second album. His live shows were like nothing else I've ever experienced, just unbridled, unapologetic positivity. He will always be one of my heroes!

  • @timacann
    @timacann 2 года назад +893

    Fascinating to think that all that music, image and positivity was created by someone just trying their fucking hardest to drag themselves out of a life of depression. It’s actually quite moving.

    • @dixienormus6941
      @dixienormus6941 2 года назад +8

      It’s just a shame the music was so irrefutably awful

    • @timacann
      @timacann 2 года назад +25

      @@dixienormus6941 meh it’s got its place, certainly not for me.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад +12

      Andrew WK's character was/is actually very original. And we shouldnt be surprised that sometimes stage performers dramatize themselves and eventually dont turn out to fully be who you think they are.

    • @YoshimitsuBloodPedal
      @YoshimitsuBloodPedal 2 года назад +14

      I've met and kept on touch with him in my high school years. He was a cool dude. And his music is just fun. Not meant to be much more than that.

    • @kawaiilotus
      @kawaiilotus 2 года назад +15

      @@dixienormus6941 it's fun party music for boozing rock and metal fans, it's not that deep or subtle or introspective, and isn't meant to be, I listen to some bands whose audience are under 100, but I will always put on a bit of 00's Andrew W.K. if I'm drinking with my mates.

  • @jarshall2
    @jarshall2 2 года назад +158

    Saw W.K. live in a small church. He played about an hour of mellow piano, then climbed on the pews growling at us, ran back to the stage, ripped a sheet off a drum machine, and broke into an ear shattering encore of party songs. I love this man.

  • @seraphimdunn
    @seraphimdunn 2 года назад +97

    I met Andrew W.K. at Ozzfest right as Party Hard was starting to get big. He had fans at his merch table who wanted to get his autograph. He didn't sign autographs. He spoke with everyone as individuals and wrote us all paragraphs. He is the epitome of "built different".

  • @DukesMusic84
    @DukesMusic84 2 года назад +447

    I met Andrew WK at his club, Santos party house in NYC. He said he wanted a place where anybody could get in and rock out. AWK was a breath of fresh air for this scene.

    • @willalan9167
      @willalan9167 2 года назад +14

      I once was in NYC for a day due a flight delay on my layover. I made a point to head to Santos.... but it was closed that day and shut down a month later.... I'm so jealous.

    • @jaybruno3571
      @jaybruno3571 2 года назад

      @@ramonstein5183 your so cringe , I'm embarrassed for your parents 🤭

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад

      @@mb9284 gen porridge huh?

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад +2

      @@mb9284 gen orridge, is basically a modern day witch.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад

      @@mb9284 they died to be exact.

  • @Mattznick
    @Mattznick 2 года назад +323

    He seems like a wholesome dude whenever i see something with him. Dude even hosted a cartoon network show about blowing stuff up

    • @Forklifter87
      @Forklifter87 2 года назад +33

      I was on that show, can confirm, he is a really awesome, funny, humble man

    • @RagnarLoudpak
      @RagnarLoudpak 2 года назад +2

      That’s the only thing I know him from. Didn’t know dude was still sound

    • @TheAVJ2
      @TheAVJ2 2 года назад +1

      That was my childhood man wow

    • @holyshit128
      @holyshit128 2 года назад +5

      @No Touchy do you feel better?

    • @calmyoshiz
      @calmyoshiz 2 года назад +6

      @@holyshit128 I don't think anything is going to make them feel better.

  • @colemarie9262
    @colemarie9262 2 года назад +118

    Never a fan musically, but I met Andrew wk as a teenager at warped tour. In too long of a scenario to write out, I was struck by how nice and genuine of a person he was to all the kids, but especially to the sweaty, half drunk half hungover and very pissed off teenage girl that I was at that moment.
    Just a really nice dude.

  • @metrodonkey8093
    @metrodonkey8093 2 года назад +468

    Andrew's appearance on ATHF needs to be mentioned. He helped get Frylock through cancer depression and lifted the spirits of Carl, Meatwad and Shake with a powerful joyous kick to the face

    • @JodeneSparks1989
      @JodeneSparks1989 2 года назад +19

      Yes he will forever party in ATHF

    • @andreaslandgren1472
      @andreaslandgren1472 2 года назад +1

      Thx.

    • @nemo9540
      @nemo9540 2 года назад +10

      I wish that I could have a sliver of that positivity as I'm going through clinical depression through over 16 years of fighting cancer and being told that my situation will never change and I'll suffer this for the rest of my life. I feel like I'm in a prison filled with utter cruelty with nowhere to turn for help and absolutely no escape. I've never felt so lonely and so disconnected from the world in all my life. I have no hope for normal life, this cancer has taken so much from me if I didn't have my wife and boys I would off myself now.

    • @davidg179
      @davidg179 2 года назад +3

      Dude, yes! I thought of that episode the instant I saw this video!

    • @Xanderfied
      @Xanderfied 2 года назад +4

      A better guest was Danzig.

  • @sheenamoore9384
    @sheenamoore9384 2 года назад +111

    I've got an autographed Andrew WK poster from when I saw him at age 12 with my older brothers. He wrote "Rock n roll can never die because music never cannot live!"

  • @RoxanneLaWinSTABBY
    @RoxanneLaWinSTABBY 2 года назад +30

    The Andrew WK gig I went to in London some time around 2010 is the greatest show I’ve ever ever been to. I had tweeted asking if anybody wanted to go with me, and when nobody did, Andrew replied and said he’d put me on the guest list if I went on my own. So if course I did. I was worried about going alone, because I’d just started new meds that I can’t drink with, (the typical loner’s crutch), and a lot of the fun of gigs is having an experience with your friends, but I needn’t have worried. That small room at the Kings College Student Union was one big Party, where everybody became fast friends for several hours. The entire crowd shouted every word, the audience faced each other rather than the stage and moshed with arms around strangers. Half the audience was on the stage while the other half were catching the constant roll of stage-divers and crowd surfers. Every single person was grinning from ear to ear, because that man knows how to command a room and throw a Party.
    The power was cut because of curfew, which had been smashed through at least twice, but the entire room sang entire songs for at least another hour, until the police came to kick us all out, when the now 300+ piece A Capella band, including Andrew and his team, continued on the street for at least another hour.
    I have never ever known an event like that, and all down to the pure joy powered by a man who knows how to throw a Party and Loves music with a capital M.

    • @paulthomas5901
      @paulthomas5901 2 года назад +1

      What a beautiful story. That legit brings a tear to my eye. Thank you.

  • @allyhewitt1300
    @allyhewitt1300 2 года назад +123

    Interviewed him in 2004. Legit once of the nicest people I've ever met

  • @kevinwelch92
    @kevinwelch92 2 года назад +52

    I was at an Andrew W.K. show maybe 15 years ago (now I feel old saying that). AWK himself pulled me onto the stage and someone behind me pushed me up to help. They pushed me into the air so fast that my head slammed into a PA speaker above the stage, splitting my forehead open. AWK stopped the show, with me on stage bleeding intensely, to ask if I was okay. He took off his bandana and tied it to my head to stop the bleeding (sounds gross now but there were no rules in 2008). I gave the thumbs up and AWK picked the song up where they left off and I stayed on stage to dance with everyone else that was up there. The whole crowd cheered, it was really awesome. The next day, my mom yelled at me and took me to the ER where they had to give me 13 stitches and restructure the top of my nose so it would still function. PARTY HARD! (but stay safe)

    • @profquad
      @profquad 10 месяцев назад

      hell yeah. cool story!

    • @MikeIsaac
      @MikeIsaac 5 месяцев назад +2

      This is the epitome of partying hard my man

  • @FolstrimHori
    @FolstrimHori 2 года назад +27

    His album "You're not alone" helped carry me through some severely depressive periods in my life. Even when I'm feeling good I love listening to the titular song.
    I owe him a lot and hope he's doing well.

  • @dirtybird311
    @dirtybird311 2 года назад +288

    This is why I love this channel. Wouldn’t normally pay more than 5 minutes of attention to Andrew WK, but I saw the channel, and knew it would be good. Nice job!

    • @therealcharismatron
      @therealcharismatron 2 года назад +7

      Same.

    • @M0torsagmannen
      @M0torsagmannen 2 года назад +5

      yeah love the deep dives.

    • @ArcherSuh4721
      @ArcherSuh4721 2 года назад +10

      With you on that one. To be honest, I probably would have skipped over it if it were any other channel. I'm not trying to rag on the guy personally or anything, but Andrew W.K. didn't really warrant the amount of attention he tried too hard to get.

    • @nonservitium
      @nonservitium 2 года назад +1

      Agreed

    • @jknock148
      @jknock148 2 года назад +1

      Literally same 😂

  • @rovingmauler7410
    @rovingmauler7410 2 года назад +26

    My buddy was in a band that played at the same show as Andrew. My buddy was wearing white pants and white t shirt. He made small talk with Andrew by saying, "Dude, you stole my look."
    Andrew replied, "Oh man, I'm sorry." Completely genuine.
    My buddy said he was the nicest guy ever.

  • @AlexConley
    @AlexConley 2 года назад +137

    I fucking love Andrew WK and I have argued, with complete sincerity, that I Get Wet is a masterpiece rock record. I wish more people would aspire to his style, we'd likely all have a lot more fun with our lives.

    • @YoshimitsuBloodPedal
      @YoshimitsuBloodPedal 2 года назад +8

      I agree whole heartedly

    • @pattonfreak1038
      @pattonfreak1038 2 года назад +6

      P R E A C H

    • @darrenstopper1806
      @darrenstopper1806 2 года назад +1

      Don’t know much about this guy but the title I get wet.i remember training day where alonso asks someone if they get wet.referring to taking crystal meth.is that what this title means?

    • @pvshka
      @pvshka Год назад +1

      ​@@darrenstopper1806yes. And no. That's what the expression commonly refers to, but AWK has denied intent of that meaning behind the lyrics.

    • @impulse_xs
      @impulse_xs 26 дней назад

      I’d argue it’s much more of a genius work of consumable pop music than actual rock.

  • @steeledcognizance2566
    @steeledcognizance2566 2 года назад +166

    I interviewed him over the phone for about an hour back in ~2014. He was really nice but unexpectedly bristled at certain questions like when I asked him about being in a band with one of his teachers back in high school. He also at one point made some inscrutable comment about wearing a wig outside (he was on the phone with me while walking outside). But I didn’t pursue that further because I kind of felt he was pulling my leg or that he was doing it to not be recognized in public. At one point our conversation was interrupted by a toddler getting away from its parent and walking up to him in the park and for a good two minutes he was cooing at it and kind of playing with it while making small talk with its mom. The question that got him to talk the most was when I asked him about pizza. He positively gushed about that and went on and on.

    • @Junkhead91
      @Junkhead91 2 года назад

      Andrew knows, bad pizza is like bad pussy - it ain't ever THAT bad.

    • @nomernomznomz6015
      @nomernomznomz6015 2 года назад +10

      who doesn't love pizza, I'll remember that one.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад +1

      @@nomernomznomz6015 im lactose intolerant so as long as it a margherita pizza pie.

    • @_Only_Zuul
      @_Only_Zuul 2 года назад

      i prefer donuts..

    • @YoshimitsuBloodPedal
      @YoshimitsuBloodPedal 2 года назад

      Ingwie don't like donuts

  • @ski11lzdatki11z
    @ski11lzdatki11z 2 года назад +39

    I’ve always said that Andrew WK blended punk and pop, but it wasn’t “pop punk” it was a punk/pop amalgam that only he could produce. His music has always been an influence for me.

  • @mrrodriguezHLP
    @mrrodriguezHLP 2 года назад +142

    Get Ready to Die is the song I want to hear at the beginning of a cycling sprint or a steep hill climb. The instant adrenaline and heart rate increase is absolute perfection. I've come to tears at the end of this song after nearly falling off my stationary bike from overexertion. Andrew WK made a conscious decision to always be positive and spread that positivity to the world without compromise and never allow cynicism to deter his goals.

  • @verdatum
    @verdatum 2 года назад +15

    Andrew WK created ABSOLUTE CHAOS on wikipedia. No one knew how to handle him. I am still a bit lost on the topic of that guy.

  • @alexbubblemint2434
    @alexbubblemint2434 2 года назад +9

    This is insane. I haven't heard the name Andrew WK since early 2000s and now I know one of the coolest little bits of musical history. Thanks! I'll add him to my 2000s rockstalgia playlist.

  • @anthemrecords6424
    @anthemrecords6424 2 года назад +83

    A key element missing form this is the Ann Arbor noise "Trip Metal" scene. Andrew W.K. would not have quite the same undercurrent of dissonance without the groundwork laid by Wolf Eyes.

    • @NewGrooveVinylClub
      @NewGrooveVinylClub 2 года назад +8

      I really expected a mention of my favorite noise rock group turned meme aggregator

    • @slothDAMN
      @slothDAMN 2 года назад +4

      Thank you! It was a good video and I did learn some stuff but was baffled by Wolf Eyes not being mentioned!

    • @nicvoid
      @nicvoid 2 года назад +4

      Also here for the "where were Wolf Eyes" comment. Great vid otherwise tho. As always

    • @seanbeard7558
      @seanbeard7558 2 года назад

      Well now I know not to finish the video

    • @LickMyMusketBallsYankee
      @LickMyMusketBallsYankee 2 года назад +1

      Lmao no

  • @checkurbrainfly
    @checkurbrainfly 2 года назад +58

    I’ve watched many of these awesome docs,but this one brought tears to my eyes , I’ve been to 3 Andrew W.K shows & the energy was amazing , I miss A.W.K

    • @michelle.pearl.
      @michelle.pearl. 2 года назад +22

      Why does this comment make it sound like he died lol

    • @timacann
      @timacann 2 года назад +9

      It did the same to me. I think I thought that he was a man trying his hardest to drag himself out of depression by throwing as much positivity out to world as possible. It felt beautiful.

  • @FrancescoGiuseppeVitolaRognini
    @FrancescoGiuseppeVitolaRognini 2 года назад +9

    When I heard Andrew WK for the first time it was a life changing experience, I was trying to get out of a dark hole for years, and finally found the strength in those lyrics. It was the push I needed. I'll be forever grateful.

  • @LukeBunyip
    @LukeBunyip 2 года назад +44

    Andrew WK was, and still is, a phenomenon which defies description.

  • @mjadams002
    @mjadams002 Год назад +7

    I got to meet Andrew at an album signing after a free show at my local record shop. I caught a pic at the end of the show and he signed it. At the signing he talked to my daughter and loved that this was her first concert. He miss heard her name and thought we named her “soda”. We had a big laugh together. Great dude. Always inspired when his music comes on.

  • @yeetkunedo
    @yeetkunedo 2 года назад +24

    Andrew W.K. made a Japan-only Gundam 0079 tribute album, and it is absolutely amazing. Anyone that has that much love and respect for the Universal Century is all right by me.

    • @Mattznick
      @Mattznick 2 года назад

      I wish that was available to buy

  • @lugaruclone
    @lugaruclone 2 года назад +54

    You should look into Devin Townsend one day. He created a lot of the heaviest, most negative / nihilistic music with an explosive wall of sound. Then he flipped it, and now mostly makes extremely positive yet still extremely heavy music.

    • @JoelCarli
      @JoelCarli 2 года назад

      Any recommendations? I've only ever had circumstantial exposure to his work.

    • @lugaruclone
      @lugaruclone 2 года назад

      And just a bonus reaction that breaks down some of what he does.
      ruclips.net/video/b3gZMuFLTFY/видео.html

    • @Terribleguitarist89
      @Terribleguitarist89 2 года назад +1

      @@JoelCarli Kingdom, deadhead, and juular stick out in mind for the Devin Townsend era. OMFG, Love?, and Detox for the Strapping Young Lad era.

    • @JoelCarli
      @JoelCarli 2 года назад

      @@Terribleguitarist89 Many thanks! :) I'll check those out!

    • @--_--IMP--_--
      @--_--IMP--_-- 2 года назад +1

      ​@@JoelCarli Heavy Devy is one of the more complex and musically diverse artists out there, with an extensive and prolific catalog of amazing albums. From singing for Steve Vai to Strapping Young Lad to The Devin Townsend Band to The Devin Townsend Project to his myriad solo projects and offerings, his catalog is an incredible trip across a dizzying array of styles and sounds. The "nihilistic" stuff referenced in the OP is mostly from when he was in Strapping Young Lad. He was going through some seriously dark personal shit during that time, and it definitely permeated the music. Fortunately for him (and us music fans), he overcame his demons intact. He still has his demons, but he has figured out how to control them and use them for good.
      Honestly, any Heavy Devy album is a good place to start, as every album is good in its own way and for its own reasons. He has lots of official videos from across most of his different projects. He has numerous albums on his YT channel. After listening to them, you find that different albums fit different moods. For a quick crash course on all things Devin, I highly recommend watching The Retinal Circus; a live performance from 2012 that contains music from all of his various projects up to that point. Really, all of his professionally produced and released live video recordings (TRC, Live from Royal Albert Hall, Live from Plovdiv) do a great job at showing the different facets of Devin Townsend, and all are available to watch for free here on YT. If you want to dive a little deeper into the musical mind of Devin Townsend, I recommend the original four part Devin Townsend Project, consisting of the albums Ki, Addicted, Deconstruction (my personal favorite) and Ghost. According to the man himself, the many sounds of Devin Townsend generally fall within four overall "styles". Each album intentionally reflects a particular "style", performed by a different band of supporting musicians. The two Ziltoid albums are their own distinct and highly entertaining endeavor. They are everything that makes Heavy Devy good, with heaping portions of sarcasm, wit and 50s-era radio showmanship, and are quite fun.
      Devin Townsend is mostly known for being a longstanding member of the metal scene. What surprises a lot of people is how good he is at making mellow, ambient, atmospheric, progressive music, which he is equally as prolific at. The man is a remarkable talent: a tremendously competent guitarist/musician/artist with admirable work ethics, a great vocalist/frontman with a five octave range, and a genuinely good dude.

  • @gabe_s_videos
    @gabe_s_videos 2 года назад +39

    I'm really irritated by this idea that irony is the rule instead of the exception. It makes me think of that joke from The Simpsons: "Hey, this isn't faux dive, this is a DIVE!" Or in this case, "This isn't over-the-top in an ironic way, this is just over the top!"
    Andrew WK is right, toxic cynicism is real.

    • @alonedownthere47
      @alonedownthere47 2 года назад +1

      david foster wallace will never not be relevant

    • @gabe_s_videos
      @gabe_s_videos 2 года назад

      @@alonedownthere47 What do you mean by that?

  • @fanbladeinstruments
    @fanbladeinstruments 2 года назад +34

    I have always had a theory that AWK is actually Weird Al's little brother. That makes more sense to me than any of the half cooked rumours.

  • @jameselliott5231
    @jameselliott5231 2 года назад +23

    The truth in the end is that there is no illusion, the music and personality of Andrew W.K. shows that, perception is reality, and positivity and all other emotions are under our control, in short to believe in yourself is to believe in yourself, a true breath of fresh air in a rather post-ironic time we are living in, so ironic that we can't believe sincerity anymore.

  • @gpzjeffrey7974
    @gpzjeffrey7974 2 года назад +15

    You forgot to mention that he started his own political party back in.....2015? It was called The Party Party. Not even kidding.

  • @danford4275
    @danford4275 2 года назад +18

    AWK's music hits all of my exact sweet spots and I find him fascinating as an artist and a person. I loved this deep dive, thank you for it.

  • @GASmotorsports
    @GASmotorsports 2 года назад +42

    The Andrew W.K. enigma is pretty clearly intentional. His awkward interviews are pure gold. His Undercover version of silent night is my favorite Christmas song. please do yourself a favor and check it out.

    • @vannjunkin8041
      @vannjunkin8041 2 года назад

      I'm going to have to look this up now

    • @kyle1235
      @kyle1235 2 года назад

      Great rec! It's like a cross between Randy Newman and Warren Zevon

  • @escritora84
    @escritora84 2 года назад +13

    I was in my first year of college when Party Hard blew up, and I absolutely loved his energy and positivity. At the time, I saw him more as a persona than an artist, but the minute you played the first few notes, I rocked out and was immediately transported back to my college years. I think he was exactly the person we needed post 9/11, given how muddled the music landscape and the political environment was back then. I don't know if he's ever done work with The Darkness, but the powers of the two of them together?! Brilliant.

    • @goldenstarmusic1689
      @goldenstarmusic1689 11 месяцев назад

      The Darkness and Andrew WK is the combo I never knew I needed badly.

  • @agender7052
    @agender7052 2 года назад +32

    I remember getting lost down the Steev Mike/Andrew W.K. rabbithole in the early-to-mid 00s, one of the greatest and weirdest musician-oriented conspiracy theories of all time.

    • @BM-979
      @BM-979 2 года назад +4

      Ya I harken back to the innocent days of yesteryears conspiracy theories. Qanon is just such a bummer in comparison.

    • @mitchio83
      @mitchio83 2 года назад +6

      I'm really still confused about all that.

    • @mitchio83
      @mitchio83 2 года назад +2

      Do you know if the stuff like the book the ex girlfriend found was real or not?

    • @tsoliot5913
      @tsoliot5913 2 года назад +2

      That and John Titor were such ample party-talk fuel back in the day.

  • @kylereece1979
    @kylereece1979 2 года назад +22

    His recfent album, "God Is Partying" was very good. Some deep meaning songs on there, that deserve an audience. I saw him in Dublin just over 20 years ago. I met him outside the venue after the show and he was absolutely sound out. I remember him outside his tour bus, and looking inside, I saw there was a collection of X Files videos. Which was nice. Great video.

  • @lougaru2445
    @lougaru2445 2 года назад +7

    This is awesome. When he lost the RUclips polll I was concerned. Thank you guys for making this.

  • @craigmiller1870
    @craigmiller1870 2 года назад +46

    Musicians like Andrew WK are literally screaming into the ether begging the universe to not be killed by suicide.

  • @I-Ren-Zero
    @I-Ren-Zero 2 года назад +16

    something missing from the early section of the video was that Andrew WK attended Community High School which was known for being a refuge for arty kids, and having a world class Jazz program and produced musicians who would go on to play in Blue Traveler and The Von Bondies along with countless underground artists. As noted in the recent book -- The Job of Musicians is Not to Create Music but to Create Culture”: An Examination of Ann Arbor’s Underground Music Scene in the 1990s. by J.J. Griffin IV -- Community High School was at the center of the Ann Arbor underground music scene in the 90s..

    • @I-Ren-Zero
      @I-Ren-Zero 2 года назад

      @No Touchy it is the authors masters thesis so more like a 'up its ass with required academic word play' title... still it is one of the few looks at the music scene that Andrew WK grew up in......

  • @austint19
    @austint19 2 года назад +15

    He's an inspiration. As someone who struggles with depression and relies on music (along with meds) to seek comfort, his message really resonates with me.

    • @te9591
      @te9591 2 года назад

      Bad ass.

  • @TheCreatureFeatureJohnCampbell
    @TheCreatureFeatureJohnCampbell 2 года назад +7

    Great video! But there was stuff you guys missed. He released an album last year then cancelled all of his festival tours, deleted all social media and websites, and married Kat Dennings. He is an enigma.

    • @OmahaGTP
      @OmahaGTP Месяц назад

      Dude wtf. I had to look this up myself. Haha

  • @michaelryan3818
    @michaelryan3818 2 года назад +21

    Andrew WK is like half my snowboarding playlist

    • @-Kal-
      @-Kal- 2 года назад +4

      Andrew WK in the gym makes the weights 50% lighter.

  • @jeffrice6403
    @jeffrice6403 2 года назад +2

    Nice work on this! Well narrated, no stock footage, lots of rare footage, and covering lots of new ground.

  • @ogabugabedj1977
    @ogabugabedj1977 2 года назад +17

    Maybe do a video of "Before stone Roses, how MADCHESTER became madchester". That would be nice

  • @Trad63
    @Trad63 Год назад +1

    The first time I ever saw or heard of AWK, was SNL with The Rock. It was a great show and I watched back on VHS several times.
    It was the band that was me and my wife’s ‘band that’s ours’. Not mine or hers, but ours.
    And then we saw him live in Orlando. It was amazing. Then again in Tampa.
    Great shows, excellent music, party-positive hard core party atmosphere.
    Love it. Thanks Andrew for great memories.

  • @Yoshimitsu4prez
    @Yoshimitsu4prez 2 года назад +6

    This dude has always aimed to create this music that is LOUDLY positive, aggressively positive, motivational even. I think he finally perfectly executed that concept with the album Youre Not Alone, it’s so good

  • @UNDERLINEDINC
    @UNDERLINEDINC 3 месяца назад +2

    Andrew is one of the nicest guys on the planet… he goes out of his way to make every fan feel appreciated, in a way that I’ve never experienced since.

  • @scaryteri8
    @scaryteri8 2 года назад +3

    I met Andrew in Calgary in 2002. He spoke sincerely, personally with everyone in line to meet him at the end of the show. When I somehow said something about having to leave right after because I had university classes the next day, HE ASKED ME QUESTIONS about what I was studying. When he hugged me before I moved on, it was a real hug, like from your best friend. I have felt bad his other albums havent been as successful as I Get Wet. Music is worth living for is pretty rad though, probably my last favourite newer release from him. Definitely check it out.

  • @futuristic.handgun
    @futuristic.handgun Год назад +1

    Andrew W.K. is an absolute sweetheart! I've never gotten to meet him, but back when he had social media I sent him a tweet and he tweeted me back and followed me. We interacted a few times and he was always just lovely. The world is a better place because he's in it and sharing his art and himself with us. 🥰

  • @SomeGuyCalledJ
    @SomeGuyCalledJ 2 года назад +5

    I've seen him twice, once at Leeds, once in Pompey. I broke my nose at Leeds, and my arm in Pompey. Can't wait to go see him again.

  • @Milkthief
    @Milkthief 2 года назад +28

    Interesting character I had no idea! But you know, you should totally do a video on Killing Joke or Godflesh, two highly underrated but influential UK bands!

    • @johnnysullivan436
      @johnnysullivan436 2 года назад +7

      I'd definitely watch a Godflesh doc

    • @aaroncottam
      @aaroncottam 2 года назад +6

      Huge yes for Killing Joke!!

    • @cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245
      @cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245 2 года назад +7

      Godflesh all the way!

    • @thejapanarchocommunist
      @thejapanarchocommunist 2 года назад +2

      Killing Joke is amazing and ridiculously influential; we absolutely need a documentary on them

    • @penzotoko6619
      @penzotoko6619 2 года назад +3

      Hell yes. Both bands are amazing. Streetcleaner melted my face the first time I heard it!

  • @chsfive
    @chsfive 2 года назад +3

    I have never spoken with him personally, but back around 2015 I worked with his tour manager and booked his hotel rooms for his tour. His requests were always modest and it was easy to find the right lodging for him because he kept it so simple and humble. Basically proximity to the venue and a place to park. It was like if one of your everyday friends also happened to be a rock star.

  • @MaximDrums
    @MaximDrums 2 года назад +1

    This is awesome. I see that you included footage of his performance on SNL... How did you find footage with such high quality? I've been trying to find that performance in high quality for years. Able to share it????

  • @robertblackmore703
    @robertblackmore703 2 года назад +3

    I’ve watched a few of your docs now, and I’m very impressed with you subject matter and delivery, sir. Excellent work!

  • @SwitchBladeEVO
    @SwitchBladeEVO 2 года назад +2

    Having listened to him and seen him live, he truly comes off as a guy who just genuinely wants people to live their best life and try not to let mundane things get them down. Very uplifting and inspiring act to see. Hearing him speak about it in between set bits was a treat and he delivers 110% of that energy he's branded himself on. One of the most memorable shows I've been to.

  • @chaosxcody
    @chaosxcody 2 года назад +6

    I remember he became an on the air host for Cartoon Network and I was as able to rediscover him after forgetting about Party Hard. I think he’s a really nice dude that spreads positivity and an insane urge to Party Hard.

    • @niccole3542
      @niccole3542 2 года назад +1

      I am a bit younger than most in this comment section because I first knew of him during the CN real era and didn't see any notice of anyone mentioning it until I read your comment.He definitely stood out terms of his image and music and never knew much about him or his music until I watched this video.Sure he comes across as cheesy but I loved what he and his music have done for many people.

  • @patrickwilliamson29
    @patrickwilliamson29 5 месяцев назад +2

    I went to an Andrew WK concert in 2003 when I was living in the netherlands and after the show he stayed around to write a personal message on everyone's ticket. It was a small show like only 40 people but so awesome as he invited everyone to jump on stage during We Want Fun. Such a cool guy and so glad I got to meet him then. I still have that ticket btw

  • @simonnaylor7983
    @simonnaylor7983 Год назад +4

    I really liked his music and positive messages in his music back in the 2000s. Still listen now and it always brings me up emotionally to a better level.

  • @chrisodriscoll3077
    @chrisodriscoll3077 2 года назад +3

    Great vid (again) . Every now and again Rock N Roll needs to go to a quiet room , sit down and think what's this all about? When it comes up with the correct answer it comes out playing a song like Party Hard.

    • @MrSmotPoker1
      @MrSmotPoker1 2 года назад

      Nice turn of a phrase. You should be a journalist

  • @mondomoleno.3404
    @mondomoleno.3404 2 года назад +65

    Part of me thinks Andrew WK is a cheesy, over the top clown. But another part of me loves that he is. As someone who spent a lot of time in negative spaces where gatekeeping and elitism is the norm, I've tried to find more positivity in things I enjoy, so Andrew WK fits that well

    • @jackalope2302
      @jackalope2302 2 года назад +10

      the world could use some un ironic clowns

    • @mrjohnnyk
      @mrjohnnyk 2 года назад +2

      Yeah well said, there's something to love about him.

    • @weinopolice
      @weinopolice 2 года назад +6

      @No Touchy yikes

    • @PosthuMouse
      @PosthuMouse 2 года назад

      @No Touchy You mean "elite" the way Fox News uses "elite". What this dude is talking about (I assume) is how toxic punk culture was back then. If your band got a video on MTV, phhhhht, sellouts. If you had a song on the radio, phhht, not real punk. Bought something at Hot Topic? What is that mall goth bullshit, you fucking poser? Even though 70% of the "cool" bands were complete trash, people would rather fling shit at anything they thought might possibly make any money, whether or not it was actually good. It was annoying and exhausting, and Andrew WK was a breath of fresh air. I was at one of the shows on his first Warped Tour in Harriet Island Park in Minneapolis, and everyone (including myself) was looking down their noses at him when the show started. By the end, he'd won almost everyone over, and we were all dancing around like little kids spazzing out on Mountain Dew and Corn Pops. You can put as much money as you want into getting a band exposure, but if I Get Wet hadn't been such a fun, catchy album, it wouldn't have succeeded anyway. People aren't going to buy music they don't like no matter how often it's on TV. Super don't understand these people who insist that nobody liked it, but also insist that it was all about the money. Makes no sense.

    • @bigduke5902
      @bigduke5902 2 года назад

      So both parts of you who consider Andrew WK thinks he's a cheesy clown.

  • @tiredboi8326
    @tiredboi8326 Год назад +1

    only halfway through, but hope you dive into the weirdness and conspiracy theories. such an incredibly interesting dude.

  • @GabAssbreaker
    @GabAssbreaker 2 года назад +11

    I saw a video of Andrew WK airdruming to Napalm Death's "Harmony Corruption" ... Yes, the whole record. Since then i have nothing but absolutw respect for the man.

    • @joshsquash9917
      @joshsquash9917 2 года назад +1

      That’s still one of my favorite things on RUclips. I sent that to everyone I know haha. They too, thought it was awesome.

  • @PurppCalx
    @PurppCalx Год назад +1

    I’ve gotten to meet quite a few musicians over the years due to work, Andrew stands out as one of my favorite people.

  • @apanapandottir205
    @apanapandottir205 2 года назад +5

    Dude hooked Kat Dennings at the end of the day, so like...

  • @ghostwhosellsmemories
    @ghostwhosellsmemories Год назад +1

    That was beautiful: Thank you!

  • @joshuayeager3686
    @joshuayeager3686 2 года назад +3

    I always put Andrew W.K. In his own category. He’s a true one of a kind. When “I Get Wet” came out, it was a fresh breath of air in a sea of crap “bro” music at the time. It still goes down as one of my favorites and his interviews always make me smile.

  • @jztouch
    @jztouch 2 года назад +1

    Hard rock isn’t normally my genre so I missed getting into Andrew WK back in the day but thanks to your video I’ve found out how fun his music is and what a positive message he has. Thanks!

  • @francinethagard875
    @francinethagard875 2 года назад +6

    I used to co-direct/produce a cable access show in Alabama called Tuscaloosa Monorail that featured mainly local bands, a few touring bands, nobody famous, (though we did almost have St. Paul and the Broken Bones before they became somewhat well-known.) One day the host of the show calls me up and says, out of the blue, that he'd called Andrew WK's management and asked for an interview while he was touring through Georgia and they'd said yes. We couldn't feature any of his music but Mr. WK was incredibly nice and gave it his all, especially considering we aired after midnight and had practically no viewers. Apparently after the interview he told our host that he'd actually been having a rough few days and that doing this kinda weird interview with non-indistry types really cheered him up.

    • @richteffekt
      @richteffekt 2 года назад +1

      How in the world was a show named Tuscaloosa Monorail not the biggest thing around in its day?!
      I certainly would have done an appearance. (Not even of local fame anywhere though so not a great win for the mighty T.M. but I would have turned up)

    • @francinethagard875
      @francinethagard875 2 года назад +1

      I forgot it's actually on youtube: ruclips.net/video/HNRcgX_kiYE/видео.html
      If you go to 25:00 Andrew tells a story about how one of his bandmates once pulled a guy's head off during a fight.

  • @AgitpropPsyop
    @AgitpropPsyop Год назад

    You did wonderful on this little documentary by the way. I can really hear the appreciation and love behind every word.

  • @randa3.078
    @randa3.078 2 года назад +9

    When I saw AWK live, I had the biggest smile on my face the whole set. It was amazing. I love him.

  • @mealsonwheels4970
    @mealsonwheels4970 11 месяцев назад +1

    oh man I found this video and braced for a hit piece. Ive met him numerous times. he might be my favorite human outside of my own family. just a cool dude. everything you'd hope he'd be.

  • @deephouse733
    @deephouse733 2 года назад +33

    He’s performance at Gathering of the Juggalos was awesome he’s smacking bottles away that people are throwing at him

  • @AryeDworken
    @AryeDworken 2 года назад +1

    Great video essay. I love Andrew. He's legit. Interviewed him twice and always found him intentional and thoughtful. I even wrote a comic book titled Söngr and incorporated him into the story as a core character. Andrew even gave me his blessing to include him in it.

  • @ceebee491
    @ceebee491 2 года назад +3

    We need a part 2! WK is a fascinating person.

  • @mettle1012
    @mettle1012 2 года назад

    You picked a great day to release this video.
    Happy April 1st :)

  • @CyrusCageSCWS
    @CyrusCageSCWS 2 года назад +19

    Andrews first album is one of the best metal albums ever made. It is so unique in its approach and intention, it opened up a new aesthetic path in metal that still has barely been explored.

    • @freebee8221
      @freebee8221 2 года назад +2

      Oh c'mon. His music sucks. He doesnt have any good songs.

    • @wienersmcbutts
      @wienersmcbutts 2 года назад +3

      @@freebee8221 yeah, you really sound like the type of person who actually listened to them all

    • @freebee8221
      @freebee8221 2 года назад

      @@wienersmcbutts well I listened 2 of the so called hits and they sucked. It just doesnt work. Theres no good riffs or good melodies. And the whole "party" thing doesnt really go together with metal.

    • @Loomx5
      @Loomx5 2 года назад +1

      @@freebee8221 Listen to Babalon, a new track this video doesn't mention. It's a banger.
      Although idk how you can listen to Party Hard or We Want Fun and not just have a good time

    • @jrobertlysaght
      @jrobertlysaght 2 года назад

      I'm all for positivity. But If you're gonna do the 'anyone who doesn't like this is a hater of anything positive', I gotta call BS. Positivity isn't all you need. the music still has to be good, or are we going to get a video about the history of William Hung and 'She Bangs', because he was positive as hell?

  • @ThePaulOLoughlin
    @ThePaulOLoughlin Год назад +1

    'If things stop feeling alright - just play it again, but louder'
    excellent and true

  • @theneonchimpchannel9095
    @theneonchimpchannel9095 2 года назад +38

    I had no idea there was so much going on with Andrew W.K. I always saw him as a 1 hit wonder that had 1 kinda stupid but fun song. I just thought he was some crazy party guy. But he's actually a really talented musician. He's always had a fan base, but I don't think many people know him beyond the hit. Maybe he's had more hits in the US and UK.

    • @baalrog887
      @baalrog887 2 года назад +4

      Not really, here in the UK he had like one other kinda popular single with "She Is Beautiful" but "Party Hard" gets played at every rock club across the country to this day and it always gets people moving

    • @freebee8221
      @freebee8221 2 года назад +3

      Iv only heard party hard and that song sucks

    • @wereowl9369
      @wereowl9369 2 года назад +6

      @@freebee8221 hah nice bait

    • @freebee8221
      @freebee8221 2 года назад

      @@wereowl9369 thanks, but if youre telling me that you actually like that song, then you are lying. Theres nothing to like. Theres barely any riffs, and barely any melody in the singing.

    • @wereowl9369
      @wereowl9369 2 года назад +4

      @@freebee8221 ;)

  • @temm78
    @temm78 2 года назад

    This doc was brilliantly composed and written *chefs kiss*
    The imagery from the start was crisp and pungent in its kick and aptitude.
    Just appreciating the composition of the video it’self, props!

  • @ChimpWithaHandGrenade
    @ChimpWithaHandGrenade 8 месяцев назад +3

    Andrew basically just went: Fuck it we do a little trolling

  • @BrownieSyndrome
    @BrownieSyndrome 2 года назад +1

    I remember first hearing We Want Fun on the first Jackass movie and that video of them partying after the movie is one of my favourite feel good moments.

  • @lazybones69
    @lazybones69 2 года назад +5

    He always seemed like like such a down to earth dude. I was happy to hear he engaged Kat Dennings, as she always seemed weird, but grounded.

  • @gardenboydon
    @gardenboydon 2 года назад

    one of the best channels on YT. yes I will write this on every video you make! 🙏

  • @lindseyhiccups
    @lindseyhiccups 2 года назад +15

    I looooove Andrew WK! He is uplifting and motivational! Seen him at Download 2018 and I would see him again in a heartbeat! I can't stop listening to Babalon, his vocals are only getting better!

  • @BryonyClaire
    @BryonyClaire 2 года назад +1

    This popped up on my feed just after I Googled Party Hard to use in a montage and I have so much more respect for this dude, I was a kid when his work came out and had no other clue other than great songs but wow

  • @pandanarkystudios5198
    @pandanarkystudios5198 2 года назад +9

    Wait, do people not know how hard the man has worked?! I mean to create even 1 perfect album is not simple. "I get wet" is a masterpiece

  • @MadWolfMike
    @MadWolfMike 2 года назад

    Most Excellent Work Here Dude! Thanks for making this!

  • @LeanneModenPoet
    @LeanneModenPoet 2 года назад +3

    Utterly delighted you did Andrew WK :)

  • @romanmeisenberg1224
    @romanmeisenberg1224 2 года назад

    I love Andrew WK. He is truly one of the kindest people I have ever met. He has so much love for his fans, and surprisingly, he has an insane memory for names. When I was a junior in high school, I emailed his manager for a photo pass to his Asbury Park, NJ show in 2003. Not only did they reply, Andrew made it a point to give me full access and allowed me to use the flash if I wanted to. At the show, the press photographers were given only the first three songs, but I was allowed to stay. It was just such a moving gesture from him. They even dropped me and my friend off at the nearest exit to our town after the show, haha. I've had so many amazing memories from Andrew shows, the lecture series, and fan events. Truly such an inspirational and genuine person full of passion. His bandmates have also always been such amazing people to see perform and meet. I have really never met anyone that put so much effort into being present and available for their fans at shows. Anyway, thanks for the great video!

    • @romanmeisenberg1224
      @romanmeisenberg1224 2 года назад

      Fuck, watching this video is just such an amazing journey down memory lane.

  • @KindredBrujah
    @KindredBrujah 2 года назад +13

    I might argue it set the stage for other 'party hard' acts like LMFAO, who are very similar in musical vibe, albeit in a different genre.
    Even more recent artists like Little Big and Eskimo Callboy owe some amount of the general acceptance of their weirdness and musical fusion to Andrew WK, I think.

  • @jenniferstromsoe4924
    @jenniferstromsoe4924 2 года назад +1

    The narrator makes me think of Malcolm McDowell. I dig this. Thank you, Sir.

  • @Digital_daze_
    @Digital_daze_ 2 года назад +3

    Me and a best friend met at 19, we bonded over our middle school love of Andrew wk. 10 years later his sister manages a record store he was doing an in store appearance for, she called us asking to bring him a 6pack of local beer… turned out it was for his manager, but still got to meet him again. exciting beer run none the less

  • @SachaRommane
    @SachaRommane Год назад +2

    I met him once at a talk he did at Oxford University, fucking cool awesome and lovely guy. He is genuinely super lovely, even just to meet briefly.

  • @KattMurr
    @KattMurr 2 года назад +3

    Fascinating video! It's awesome he's a fan of death metal and grind core!!! I had no idea the guitarist from Obituary played on his album!!

    • @pauln6803
      @pauln6803 2 года назад

      Donald Tardy - the least metal name ever - is the drummer.

  • @LomaGnome
    @LomaGnome 2 месяца назад +1

    So much love for this man.

  • @cynicald380
    @cynicald380 2 года назад +4

    Im so glad I got back into Andrew WK. He's brilliant

  • @ChemBoy613
    @ChemBoy613 2 года назад

    Watching through this now.
    I never got to meet the guy, but his brother and my sister went to elementry school together. We lived literally one block apart, but I never saw the guy.
    Area was really nice, i forgot what his family did but everyone was doing well.
    I guess it makes sense he was a bit sheltered until he went to NYC. Ann Arbor could be like that, but it was a great place to be a kid.
    This documentry is really well done though! Keep up the good work!