Andrew W.K. Tries Unusual Instruments

Andrew W.K. is an internationally famous rock singer often billed as the “God of Partying” and an admired motivational speaker and advice column writer.

Born Andrew Fetterly Wilkes-Krier in Stanford, CA, in 1979, he began to study music at age 4 and joined his first band at age 14. In 2000, he released the EP Girls Own Juice, his first record using the Andrew W.K. moniker. The following year, he found international success with his debut album I Get Wet. The single “Party Hard” from that LP reached the UK top 20. His followup, The Wolf (2003), was also a success in the United States and elsewhere. His music is recognized for its hard rock sensibilities, with elements of metal, post-punk, and classic rock. He released his fifth album, You’re Not Alone, in 2018.

In 2005, W.K. was invited to give a lecture at New York University, beginning a second career as a self-help speaker; his 2016 speaking tour The Power of Partying included stops in all fifty states. He has also written advice columns in The Village Voice, Vice, and Japanese magazine Rockin’ On.