Andrew W.K. Interview - chrisnieratko.com

Andrew W.K. Interview

Andrew, what is it exactly that you're going for with this crazy music?

Make the most fun possible. Get people going. Just the best songs I can make that have people go fucking crazy dancing.

What does the W.K. stand for?

Who Knows?

And you're a one-man band, is that pretty much right?

Well, I'm a solo artist, but I have a backing band. I have the drummer from Obituary. And a guitar player and we're getting the rest of the people. It's the world's biggest party. Every fucking person's invited. So, if you want to join in, come on. If you don't, fuck off. If people aren't into us, cool, but just sort of keep away.

Tell me your best party experience.

When I think of a party, I think of doing whatever you want to do. It's not an event that happens once. It's an all-inclusive, all-the-time thing. It's like running around in a circle as fast as you can. It doesn't necessarily involve drugs or drinking, but it can. To me, it means running around in a circle real fast, or just dancing, and no-holds-barred fucking. Not afraid of looking stupid. Not afraid of anything and just doing what you want to do right then. You know what I mean? And like the music should be as loud and as moving and as fun and fast and hard and heavy as possible because why be half-assed about it?

Do you do a lot of crack when you're at parties?

No, I've been doing the cocaine as of late, but I find that it makes me extremely angry about a day later.

You don't seem like the angry kind of guy.

No, I know. So that's why it really freaked me out. I just want to fucking kill people.

So if you see a guy at a party and he's just sitting in the corner not having fun, is that like a guy you want to fight?

No. 'Cause he's doing what he wants to do. Maybe that's his way of having his fun.

What's your idea of party fun? Puking? Is that a sure sign of a party?

Okay, I have a song called "Party Til You Puke" and what it means to me, of course, it means you could drink a lot and you throw up or you run around and bounce until you throw up, but I get it from hearing music-even classical music where it's so big and so loud and it's so huge and it's just the way the melody works, whatever, and just the general vibe is so strong that it's just this combination of wanting to laugh, just jump, freak out, or cry or throw up. It's kind of like the butterflies, you know what I mean? It's like party 'til you puke and the essence is to do it 'til you fucking die.

Do you find yourself puking often? You don't seem like a heavy drinker.

No, uh, I don't throw up too much 'cause I really don't like to.

What would be the ultimate album cover for you?

Oh, there's just so many. I really couldn't answer that. I thought about using that bloody nose picture for a record cover. Something intense, you know?

But your look is not one of a rock star. If I didn't know you or know that you made music, I would think maybe you were trying to sell acid or something.

I'm not a fucking rock star. Who wants that shit? I mean, those people are usually assholes. So, I'd rather just be like a cool dude that's just trying to do this and unfortunately no else really seems to be doing it, so I've got to do it and I want to do it. And I will do it, and as far as just like walking around and acting like an asshole and wearing leopard skin pants, other people can do that. It's kind of gay, so I try to just do what needs to be done and focus on what's really important, which is fucking fast, free, crazy tunes. Intense level of energy.

But how about a year from now when those bucks start rolling in from your new deal, are you going to be that asshole with the leather pants?

No. I can't. It will never happen.

You don't think?

Well, it's like, "Oooh, now I have money. Now I can finally buy that $500 pair of leather pants." Right. And stuff it with a cucumber. I had a pair of leather pants, but they're a little uncomfortable and they don't breathe too well. When I get money will I become a asshole? I hope not. I can't say that I won't. I don't think I would. I think I'd give a lot of money to my friends. You know, buy them some stuff.

Like what, beer?

Oh, yeah. Whatever they want. 'Cause I don't really buy a lot of stuff. I'm usually pretty generous with whatever little money I have now.

So, do you think when you become a big rock star you'll stuff your pants with like an avocado or an eggplant?

They're really round. It's like, well, I don't need to stuff my pants because I have what it takes. But I'm thinking of taking it to another realm. Sort of like a round, compact, solid ball. Like a softball right in the middle. A perfect sphere.

What are they calling this shit that you make? Do they have a title yet?

I don't know. Well, the record label, they really understand it because it's a mainstream vibe. It's something that's acceptable. It's trying to make all people have a fun time. It's not elitist and it's not trying to accept just one group, so they understand that and they think it's fun. It's like sonic fun, I don't know.

Are you just going to be "Fun Rock"?

Party rock. That's fine by me 'cause it isn't anything more than that, you know?

So, what's the hotline?

Oh, I just have a phone number people can call 212-714-4646. There's a good message on there right now of this woman, Susan Circe. She left this thing and then we had a fight. That was intense. But it's meant for people to leave messages and no one ever does. But don't know what they would say. I guess I wouldn't say anything either.

Comments

PATRIK
28 May 2008, 01:53

ANDREW ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

pablovisajes
28 May 2008, 17:32

hey andrew !
energia amigo usted es una gran persona y vive la vida en su totalidad con mucha esperanza!

lo queremos roman y pablo desde colombia !

ENERGY FOREVER!

twig
08 Sep 2008, 19:55

WIG?