I have been an Andrew W.K fan since I first saw the album cover of 2001’s I Get Wet. I guess I judged a book by its cover, but I knew there was no way I wouldn’t love this blood soaked, sweat drenched, party animal and his music. After purchasing the album, I played it over-and-over again until it was like the man on the cover, scratched and soaked in blood and sweat. I had the pleasure of seeing him in concert, moshing with the best of the W.K. fans, and stealing his hat when it fell off after the headbanging ensued. In 2003, AWK released The Wolf, which rocked a little less than I Get Wet, but it had its fair share of headbanging and sentimental moments. After 2003, I’m not totally sure what happened to W.K., I think he got popular in Japan, maybe tried his hand at motivational speaking, and starred in a one man show. I do know he made an appearance on one of my favorite reality TV shows Kathy Griffin’s My Life on the D-List.  He invited Kathy to one of his motivational speaking events, sat her next to a really stoned person, and hilarity ensued.

Now, to the point of my post, AWK. is back on the stage!! On March 16th, at the Fillmore W.K. played his first show with a full band in 5 years. My friend Sarina attended and gave it her stamp of approval, along with a few picture texts to yours truly. On the 17th, he performed at Buffalo Billiards for SXSW and from the improperly cited internet research I just did, AWK was same ole party hardy dude that I saw back in 2001. He focused on old hits with a sprinkling of tracks from his “lost” album Close Calls With Brick Walls.  Close Calls is being released as a double disc on March 25th. I’ve had the album for quit sometime now, so it clearly hasn’t been “lost” by internet standards. After these rave reviews, I’m psyched to see WK perform, even if it means driving up to Scranton, PA to see him work his magic at the Toyota Pavilion (check his myspace, I couldn’t make this stuff up). Maybe I’ll just have to wait and see him perform in NY when he makes his way back east after SXSW. Enjoy this track off my illegally downloaded copy of Close Calls With Brick Walls.