The Truth About The Wolf -

Andrew WK's second album, "The Wolf", could be the most compacted example of musical hubris the modern recording industry has ever produced. The follow up album to 2001's "I Get Wet", "The Wolf" was the by-product of an exercise in double-reverse pyschology, and the strangest thing of all is that it actually worked. At least, it worked in the only way something of this nature can work: it happened. In this way, the end result is still manifesting itself, and it becomes less possible to separate the moment of achievement from the long-term act of production. By 2002, Andrew WK was well into his third year with Island Records. "The Wolf" was seen by Island as the next step towards their ultimate goal of reframing the bloody star of "I Get Wet" as the ultimate global outlaw. At this time, Andrew WK and the companies involved were going to great lengths to conceal the true nature of their larger schedule, (what's more interesting was their desire to eventually use the idea of their involvement as a way to execute their subsequent ideas on an even larger scale). Despite all their carefully laid plans, and due to the volatility of people in the entertainment business, a wave of unexpected events plagued the production of "The Wolf". What had been mapped out as a careful continuation of the "Party Hard" image turned into something much more complicated and ultimately, much more upsetting to their long-term goals.

The complications began with the album title. Initially, "The Wolf" was going to be called "Blow Your Bone". This title had been approved by Universal Music Group in all territories and had passed the advertising standards board in the UK (who had previously been involved with the orchestrated "banning" of the "I Get Wet" cover art). There were too many obvious potential problems with the "Blow Your Bone" album title, but the label chose the words with the belief that if it accounted for every potential pit-fall in advance, it would be able to maintain the integrity of the release title, without compromising relationships with the major retailers. One key element was to promote the album as innocently as possible. Island was hoping to create the appearance of sneaking the title by the censors and made an overblown attempt to "pay dumb". The carefully orchestrated censorship of the "I Get Wet" cover was the result of not trying to avoid the censors, but by working with them, to produce an image that could be banned, but also displayed. In otherwords, they needed something that appeared offensive, but that was only questionably so - in order to offend, but not outrage - keeping all parties involved active and successful. The record label and recording artist are able to appear bold and full of the freedom speech, and in addition, the governmental censors are able to appear moral and all-mighty - and in the end their's good press for everybody. The public just has to choose sides - either you're for the bold artist, or for the upholders of public decency. These types of arrangements aren't exactly corrupt, but they're a perfect example of the behind-the-scenes work going on from the very beginning.

The schedule had accounted for each of the first three albums to be more successful than the previous. The first and second albums were also to be recorded simultaneously, to ensure a quick follow up release time. With the first two being released one after another, the important momentum of newness could be maintained as long as possible. This release plan had been announced upon the release of the "Party Hard" single in Europe and the UK. However, the schedule was eventually revised and it was decided that the first three albums would come out between 2001 and 2005. As we now know, the complications involving "The Wolf" made even this impossible.

"Imitation Impersonation" -

In this entry, I attempt to dispel popular Andrew WK rumors and pick apart myth from reality. There's been more than a lot of misunderstandings surrounding what now should be very basic questions. It's been my goal all along to create a place where these facts could be put on the table and discussed for all to see. Unfortunately, there are too many other sources of misinformation, filled with pretenders producing more problems than solutions. Far too often, the truth is stuck behind the locked doors of the key-holders. Well, I don't claim to have the key, but I've managed to pick the lock, and on this site I'll continue to display all the fruits of my pillaging.

I'd like to start with a common Andrew WK topic that I've already discussed here at length. It begins with the ever growing trend of individuals "posing" or "pretending" to be Andrew WK. This includes the popular halloween costumes as well as the now frequent unknown writers, using Andrew WK's name and claiming that he's authored their texts. From these rather innocent "dress up" beginnings, the idea has mutated and come of age, and we now see people pretending to be Andrew WK pretending to be someone else. Even I myself have been accused of pretending to be someone who is actually Andrew WK pretending to be someone else. This, of course, is not the case, but I couldn't help getting caught up in the tunnels of this accusation. Not only am I not Andrew WK, I'm also not someone pretending to be someone acting as though he's Andrew WK writing in another name. I can conitnue like this, but there's really no need: I am not Andrew WK, and for that I'm quite glad.

If it's now become common knowledge that Andrew WK has in the past impersonated himself, in order to perform concerts or do other Andrew WK related performing, then it should come as no surprise that many of his fans have also taken to posing as one of Andrew WK's self-impersonations. This can be seen in many phazes of Andrew WK's career, but it seems now almost intentional. The delibracy of these acts points us once again towards the large amount of pre-planning that seems to have gone into just about every piece of the Andrew WK story.

It's unnecessary to get lost in a series of mind numbing questions when we can tunnel out at any time and see the big picture clearly: Andrew WK is a lie. There are groups of lies, and lies within lies, but overall, it's one big set of lies. This set has many offshoots and pieces, but they all tie back into the trunk, and right down to the roots. I now present you with the truth behind the most basic and ongoing Andrew WK myths:

MYTH: "Andrew WK broke his nose with a brick for his "I Get Wet" album cover."

FACT: Andrew WK did in fact break his nose, but it was not broken for the cover of "I Get Wet". In the original "I Get Wet" album cover, Andrew did not hit his nose with a brick or any other object to achieve the bloody nose on the "I Get Wet" album cover. The photograph had been produced using special lighting, makeup, and computer effects. If one looks closely at the picture, one can see evidence of photo re-touching as well as the obvious make-up work done around the nose and mouth. The "scabby" looking dried blood was achieved using corn starch and rubber cement - it's a common movie effect. All of the materials used in creating the "I Get Wet" cover can be purchased from any movie makeup supply store.


MYTH: "Andrew WK put pig's blood on his face to make it look real."

TRUTH: This is our first case of the myth being based on some truth. Andrew WK has said in dozens of interviews that he added pig's blood on his face, to enhance the blood coming from his "broken nose". This is actually true - Andrew's long time photographer, Roe Ethridge (who also took pictures for "The Wolf") has said in interviews that Andrew had bought butcher's blood from a local butcher shop. It isn't necessarily pig's blood, but the blood on his face is supposedly some sort of animal blood.


MYTH: "Andrew WK's father wrote Andrew's songs."

TRUTH: This is one of the larger questions currently surrounding Andrew WK. It's never been officially answered by Andrew himself, but over the years, pieces of truth have escaped, and it's possible to now explain how this myth actually began. First of all, the easy answer is "no" - Andrew's father, James E. Krier, did not write any of Andrew's music. However, from there the truth gets much more cloudy. It IS believed that Andrew's father was heavily involved in the first ideas and concepts behind Andrew WK's over-all style. Andrew's father was the first to promote and release the early recordings by Andrew WK. It's also believed, based on interviews, that James E. Krier created the "Andrew WK" name and image. The first officially released "Andrew WK" songs were released by a record label called, Bulb Records, which was operated by a man named Peter Larson. What's not often known is that James Krier provided the money needed to start the label and eventually release music by Andrew WK. When this fact came to light, the Bulb Records company mysteriously dissappeared and went "out of business". It's believed that the majority of the releases on the Bulb Records catalogue were actually nothing more than attempts to create the "appearance" of an actual record label with many artists and many releases. James E. Krier and Peter Larson would bang-out the recordings cheaply and quickly - any listen to a non-Andrew WK Bulb Records release proves this point.


MORE MYTH vs. TRUTH COMING SOON

"Who Is Andrew WK Really?" -
(or "What is actually going on...")

"In that way it's like you're telling it's history without knowing where it's going, or that maybe where it's come from was designed in advance, or even more amazing, that where it's gone was all a patient thing that this person wanted to do so that then it could appear to be there while it slowly becomes clear (even more in hindsight) that it was all planned and that all our thoughts were designed for us by our vision of what's to come."
- quote from 1999 Andrew WK interview


After pouring over what information I already had, and researching a slew of new theories, I can present a much clearer (but still incredibly incomplete) picture of what is happening with Andrew WK and where it all began. This is an effort to paint a more understandable portrait of who this man really is the pieces involved.

First of all, I want to share a selection of resources that I found informative and sometimes helpful. You can investigate these on your own and draw your own conclusions. Some are more accurate than others, but they all offer further insight into this realm of questioning. At the very least, they're interesting...

THIS SITE appears to be a genuine MySpace page, however the information it offers is minimal and misleading. It's very possible that this could in fact be a genuine site related directly to Andrew WK and/or Steev Mike, but it's also possible that some imposter is posing as Steev Mike/Andrew WK as a way to present their own personal ideas about the true nature of Andrew WK, disguised as the man (or men or people) directly. There's no shortage of suspicious Andrew WK related MySpace pages, and I doubt if any one of them is the genuine article...
SITE 2 - SITE 3 - SITE 4

For better or worse, there's no way to confirm exactly who's behind any of these sites. It's possible it could all be the same person, although I doubt it. It's also possible that at least one of the sites is an actual Andrew WK webpage, created by Andrew WK (or his company) to promote his music. "SITE 2" could actually be a legitimate attempt to represent Andrew WK's music, but it's also very possible that it's the work of a passionate fan. It seems to be growing more and more common for people to pose as Andrew WK and to use that position as a sounding board for their own opinions and ideas. What I find so interesting about this, is that when someone actually pretends to be Andrew WK, or acts like him, they are infact imitating an impersonator. It's like making a replica of a plastic flower. Unfortunately, this makes the task of putting together the truth all the more difficult. At this point, almost all the information I find about Andrew WK (and just about everyone I speak with about the subject) all revolves around this same unknowable sense of paranoia and confusion. It's almost impossible to know who to believe or what is real or who's really who they say they are. However, from inside this chaos there is one truth, and that's the point of this site.

Here are a few more sources that I've been turning to lately:

SITE 5 - SITE 6 - SITE 7 - SITE 8 ...and of course: SITE 9

"The Layers Of Meaning" -

Andrew WK has several basic themes which present themselves in various orders, depending on one's approach and chosen method of applied context. The initial and most basic surface layer is "fun" or "joy", which is also the context most frequently applied in attempts to understand the core ideas of the music and presentation, as well as the overal Andrew WK aesthetic, which includes the very idea of an "Andrew WK aesthetic awarness". Awareness, both directly self-relevant, and the awareness of the observer are both main themes which weave in and out of "Andrew WK" and the related presentation. The idea of "joy" can also be read as "freedom" or "the truth", as these words all have similar end results when used to identify the intended end results of an Andrew WK experience. The idea of "knowing" Andrew WK's music or "Andrew WK", is an impossible idea, as there is no way to truly and entirely "know" what is constantly before you. We can merely experience our own thoughts, as ideas about what may or may not be true. To actually "know" would take actually being the object in question - in the case, the person "Andrew WK" - and for better or worse, only one person can own that point of view.

"Start From The Begining" -

The Andrew WK story doesn't start in New York. Nor does it start in Florida, Michigan, or California. The Andrew WK story starts in the mind of the observer approaching Andrew WK for the first time. Meaning: there is no true context within which one can experience Andrew WK correctly, as the very idea of "his" existence is entirely subjective to the individual's own mind. This is due to the nearly overwhelming layers of confusion that course through every dishonest chord in "Andrew WK" the person and the music. While this is the case with the truth about any "object", this is especially the case when dealing with objects with no officially documented origin, such as the performer presented to the public as "Andrew WK".

"The Origin Of Confusion" -

The popular story tells us that Andrew WK was born, "Andrew Wilkes-Krier" in California either May 5th or May 9th, in 1979 and moved to Ann Arbor (or Ypsilanti), Michigan at age 4. It's also said that Andrew began classical piano training at the University Of Michigan at age 5 and played in a incredibly strange variety of bands around South Eastern Michigan throughout his young adult years. Then we are told that Andrew moved to New York City, age 18, to pursue his musical dreams in earnest, eventually releasing his 2001 debut album "I Get Wet" to worldwide acclaim. Andrew then moved to Seffner, Florida in order to spend more time with his live backing band and prepare for an eventual 3 years of global touring. Immediately following the tours, Andrew released his 2nd album, "The Wolf", and so began a hurrican of misinformation, rumors and utter bewilderment regarding the question: "Who is this Andrew WK guy really?" The myths, legends, stories, and gossip continue to this day, and only grow more perplexing with each passing week. That's why I've made this website - in order to pick apart truth from falsehood and assemble an idea of what is actually happening.

At this point it's unknown whether Andrew WK is still "said" to live in New York, Florida, or somewhere else. Various reports put him in Manhattan, but conflicting information has pointed towards the possibility of him being "said" to reside in Pennsylvania.

A quote from "grqqqx39":

"Andrew WK is one big lie. A lie that is said to be true, but even that is a distortion. Most people think he came from some sort of home-grown earnest beginnings, but the other side of the coin shows a past full of dishonesty and pretense. Although many people consider the "ideal" background story to be true, and claim that Andrew WK's popular legend is correct, it is infact almost entirely fabricated in order to present the idealic and romantic background of a completely fabricated "artist". Andrew WK and all the information currently held as "fact" regarding his history, identity, and existence in general are as confusing as you'll ever find in the world of show business. In all my years of following popular music, I've never come across such an example of the remarkably simple masking the unbelievably complex. The only problem is, there is no truth to reach, and the more layers of the "Andrew WK mystery" that one peels away, the more levels of contradictin are found. As the years go by, more and more have been discovering the twisted sub-realities of this rock 'n' roll anomally. Deceptively fun and pure, Andrew WK and his ultimate truths are far darker and unsettling than most can imagine."

By "grqqqx39"

"For Starters..." -

For starters, let's get down to the basics about who "Andrew WK" presents "himself" to be. And for any beginners to the Andrew WK saga, I'll do my best to fill in as much of the information as possible, although the sheer quantity make this very difficult, indeed.

"Welcome To 'THE TRUTH ABOUT ANDREW WK'" -

Greetings everyone and welcome to my new blog. My name is JW and I'm here to seek, share, and most importantly, spread the truth about ANDREW WK. This website will show why ANDREW WK is the best example of how truly complicated, and corrupt, the entertainment industry can be. On this website I will provide detailed information shoing how and why I've reached this conclusion.

To start with, consider that 99% of what you know about ANDREW WK is a lie - a fabrication of corporate board rooms, in an attempt (and failure) to sell the general public an impossible dream. Over the course of the following pages, I will show exactly what ANDREW WK really is, without holding back or reserving any judgment which may obscure the truth. There are many different "theories" floating in the atmosphere of music lore, however most of them fail to describe exactly what (or who) ANDREW WK really is. This site is the only place to find the real explaination of ANDREW WK: the most bizarre and mind-bending legend in rock n' roll history.

- JW