Andrew Wilkes-Krier was born on May 9, 1979 in Los Angeles, California. He grew up, however, in Michigan. At the age of four, Andrew began playing the piano. By his teenage years, he had mastered the drums. At seventeen, he found musical influences in punk/ metal bands. He participated in a punk/metal genre style band named Ptcrodactysis. At eighteen, Andrew moved to New York City in hopes of creating a musical career. His friends gave his demos to musical people around town, and Andrew eventually caught the attention of the executives at Bulb Records.
Andrew then took his stage name, Andrew W.K. Although the W.K. probably stands for the initials of his mother and father’s surname (Wilkes-Krier), the singer claims it can stand for anything from, White Killer, Women Kum, White Kid, Want Kicks or Wild Kid. In early 2000, W.K. released his debut EP entitled Girls Own Juice on Bulb records. In Fall 2000, on the same label, W.K. released an EP entitled Party Til you Puke. He then caught the attention of Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters. W.K. began opening for the group at various concerts. The singer then received a recording deal with Island/ Def Jam Records in the United States. In the United Kingdom, he signed with Mercury Records. The singer then decided to assemble a band. He chose E. Payne and Sergeant Frank on guitar, Jimmy Coup on the guitar, Donald DT Hardy on the drums, and Gregg R. for the bass. The group then went to Florida to begin recording a debut album.
Party Hard was released in the U.K in 2001. Brits loved W.K.. His album cover had him standing in a bloodied pose claiming he was the ‘Savior of Roc N’ Roll.’ W.K.’ next album entitled, I Got Wet, was released in the United Kingdom in late 2001 and in the United States during the spring of 2002. The single, “It’s Time to Party,” was a radio hit and picked up by Expedia.com to used in their commercials. This album was recorded in New York City, Los Angeles, Michigan, Florida, Colorado, and Minnesota.
In December 2003, audiences saw a softer side to W.K. and he earned new fans when he appeared on an MTV show where he was placed in an African American University. The show taped W.K. as he went around with the girls, stayed in the recreation room of an all-girls dorm room, had his hair braided, and just had a fun time. At the end of his trip, W.K. took the girls to one of his concerts. Also in 2003, W.K. released a new single entitled “Never Let Me Down.”
Bio written by: bandhunt |
|
Add to Profile
