Artist:  Andrew WK
Venue:  Bluebird Theatre, Denver, Colorado
As cool as:  A solid diet of Power Bars and Red Bull
Grade:  9
 
I've been to lots of concerts in my day.  Andrew WK is something special.  At this point, you either think he is great, or you think he sucks.  I think he's great.  He's unique, original, and he's fun to watch.  His show was the shit.  Just like in his "Party Hard" video, it's just him and his band on stage, rockin' as if their lives depended on it.  Andrew never stops moving, and you get the idea that he treats every concert like it could be his last.  As I was right up against the stage, I had to keep an eye out for his swinging arms and microphone cord.  He's an absolute maniac on stage.  The band sounded nice and tight, and the constant flow of stage divers and bodies flying everywhere did nothing to affect the quality of the show.  Andrew has a big grin on his face the whole time.  Naturally, the show wasn't very long due to the fact that he only has one album of material to draw from, and the album isn't very long.  I still got my money's worth, and I can't wait for him to come back through town again.  A truly unique experience.  The fun didn't end when the concert did, however.  As I walked out the door, I noticed Andrew standing next to his bus talking with fans.  I had thrown my digital camera in the car just in case, along with a SPIN magazine that had an article with him, including a bitchin' picture that I was seeking his signature on.  As I returned, he was seated on the ground, chatting with fans and signing shit.  I've met several rock stars, and I have NEVER met someone so sincere and friendly as Andrew WK.  When he talks to you, you might as well be the only one there, 'cause you have his undivided attention, and he is more than happy to just shoot the shit with any of his fans.  Each autograph that he signed was unique, and he wrote something personal for every fan.  It was refreshing to meet someone who was really in touch with the fans.  He might come across as a big dumb animal, but that could not be farther from the truth.  To Andrew, the word "party" is nothing less than an uncontrollable feeling of being alive.  There is such an aura of positivism and magic surrounding him.  After he signed my magazine, I asked him for a quick photo and he gladly obliged(check out the dude with the fake mustache behind Andrew).  He shook my hand, thanked me for coming and told me to live life.  As I walked away, a fan said "Man, you sure smiled a lot onstage tonight."  Andrew looked him in the eye and said "That's cause I was having the time of my life."  I actually believe he was. 
 
Mr. Pickles...thinks it's okay if rock music is fun from time to time, and has started wearing dirty jeans and white t-shirts every day...