| |
This might have been
the most flamboyantly fun show I have ever been to. Andrew W.K.'s
set anyhow. While I always enjoy watching Danko Jones (this show was
no exception… the man is a great performer), his set paled in
comparison to W.K., who played sandwiched between Jones and the openers,
Quincy Gold (who I missed, unfortunately). The pictures sort of speak
for themselves. When I first saw the ad for W.K.'s album, I Get Wet,
it was on the back cover of a magazine, and, with only "Andrew
W.K." being apparent on first glance, I figured the sharp, stylish
photo of W.K. with blood running down his face was an ad for, perhaps,
a European clothing line. Was I ever wrong, and soon discovered a
band that played loud, abrasive, seemingly pointless music. I wanted
it as far away from me as possible. Boy, was I ever wrong again! I
had heard the tales from people who had seen him in Vancouver a few
months prior, that his show is not to be missed. Now I know why! This
is a man who makes music 'cause he likes to, and just wants to do
nothing but party and live it up. He's doing just that. Sure the songs
have no point, but who cares? It's fun! Partway through the first
song, fans started clambering over the barricade, into the media pit,
and up on stage. Security was soon rendered helpless to do anything
about it, and the partying continued. W.K. was so happy about the
audience participation, and encouraged people to get as close as possible.
They did, in droves. The in-house tech was having a fit trying to
keep his gear from being destroyed by drunk crowds and flying alcohol,
but his scurrying around the front of the stage was mostly ignored
by both the band and the exuberant fans.
Following that melee, the stage looked so very empty when Jones'
sparse, three-person set-up appeared. No giant crowd of people,
no flighty security guards, no flustered techs… just Danko
Jones on one side, the bassist JC far on the other, and in the middle,
behind his delightfully tiny kit, the wonderfully-animated drummer
Damon Richardson. Jones is an engaging performer, a fiery, loud,
snarly, sexual creature. He speaks to the crowd, using an inflection
that lets you know he means business. Only… I could have dubbed
the last show of his I saw right overtop of this one, and you wouldn't
have been able to tell the difference. His schtick is great, but
pretty rehearsed. Still a ton of fun to see though, especially if
you never have before. I'm putting in my Andy-recommendation for
both of these artists!
Check out the PHOTOS!
Andrew WK Photos
Danko Jones Photos
-Andy Scheffler
www.members.tripod.com/andydesign
|
An RK Media Website 
