Andrew W.K. Debuts New LP’s Latest Single, ‘Stay True To Yourself’

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Andrew W.K. premiered more new music from his forthcoming album this week.

The veteran rocker debuted his new single, ‘Stay True To Yourself’ Wednesday. The song is just the latest single to come from his new album, God is Partying, which is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records.

The song’s musical arrangement is grounded in its keyboard and electronic lines.  Andrew W.K.’s (a.k.a. Andrew Wilkes-Krier) subdued vocals alongside that presentation in the verses against the more energetic choruses creates a welcome juxtaposition.  That duality, which honestly has a little bit of a pop sensibility (that itself is actually welcome, too) in a weird way, works with the song’s lyrical theme to give the song even more depth and heart.

The lyrical theme featured in ‘Stay True To Your Heart’ works well in tandem with the song’s title.  It delivers a welcome message of positivity and hope, something for which Wilkes-Krier’s songs have come to be known throughout his career.  The message comes right from the song’s outset as Wilkes-Krier sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “You gotta close your eyes/And open up your soul/Let the power rise/Give it total control/Until your head’s on fire/’Till your body aches/Like a fever burning with desire/Will you do whatever it takes/Stay true/To your heart/Stay true/To your heart.”  The positive message continues in the song’s second verse, which finds Wilkes-Krier singing, “They’ll try to break you down/They’ll make you mess with your mind/They’ll leave your heart spellbound/You’ll leave yourself behind/Follow the fallen star/Far beyond Saturn’s rings/There’s an angel coming from afar/And only heaven knows what he brings.” The unique, artistic way in which the song delivers that positive message of keeping on despite those people and obstacles that will hold you back works well with the equally deep musical content featured in this song to make the whole of the song so appealing.

Andrew W.K. spoke at length in a prepared statement about the song’s lyrical theme in his own words.

“What is the most brutal form of positivity? I want to get in there. Being and staying,” he said. “Being true to yourself isn’t the same as staying true to your heart. They told me all about this when I started forming. Approving the disapproval of others. Happiness. Seriousness. Zones of care – yourself, your family of supervisors, your city of strangers, your bathroom, your basement, your street. What does it mean for me to be not-human? What does it mean for a not-human to posses my party mindset? It’s not appropriate for me to analyze this song in that way. The song is meant to analyze me. And the listener is meant to party.”

‘Stay True To Your Heart’ is just the latest single to come from God is Partying. The album has also produced the singles, ‘I’m in Heaven,’ ‘Babalon,’ and ‘Everybody Sins.’

In other news, Andrew W.K. recently announced the postponement of his 2021 headlining tour until 2022 due to the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, he will still perform at a handful of fall festivals as well as on the Coheed and Cambria S.S. Neverender Cruise.

All of Andre W.K.’s upcoming fall 2021 and 2022 dates are noted below.

ANDREW W.K. 2021 US Tour Dates:
** = festival date
9/18 – Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest **
9/26 – Birmingham, AL – Furnace Fest **
10/25-10/29 – Coheed and Cambria S.S. Neverender Cruise

ANDREW W.K. 2022 US Tour Dates:
9/8 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom
9/9 – Los Angeles, CA – Teragram Ballroom – SOLD OUT
9/10 – San Francisco, CA – Bimbo’s 365
9/12 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
9/13 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
9/16 – Minneapolis, MN @ Amsterdam Bar and Hall
9/18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Spirit Hall – SOLD OUT
9/20 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
9/21 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club
9/22 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom – SOLD OUT
9/23 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts

God Is Partying is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records.  More information on the album is available along with all of Andrew W.K.’s latest news at:

Website: https://andrewwk.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewwk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewWK

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.  

Andrew W.K. Crafts Another Of 2021’s Top New Rock Albums In ‘God Is Partying’

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Rocker Andrew W.K. is scheduled to return Friday with his sixth album, God Is Partying.  The nine-song record is another prime example of why the singer (a.k.a. Andrew Wilkes-Krier) has remained one of the most unique figures in the rock community throughout his career.  Its unique nature is evidenced through its musical and lyrical content alike, which has once again found Wilkes-Krier and his band mates changing things up once again.  The symphonic nature of the record’s musical arrangements evolve a sound that the group has developed increasingly over the years while the lyrics are mostly as uplifting as those in Andrew W.K.’s existing catalog.  One of the most notable of the album’s entries comes in the form of ‘Stay True to Your Heart.’  This song will be discussed shortly.  ‘Everybody Sins,’ the album’s opener, is another example of how the album’s musical and lyrical content makes it stand out.  It will be addressed a little later.  ‘My Tower’ is yet another way in which the album’s content shows the record’s strength.  It will also be discussed later.  Each song noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation.  When these songs are considered along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole becomes a presentation that Andrew W.K.’s established audiences and general rock fans will appreciate.

Andrew W.K.’s forthcoming sixth album, God is Partying is another successful new offering from the veteran rocker.  It is a record that shows growth from Wilkes-Krier both in terms of musical and lyrical content.  That growth is exhibited throughout the record.  One of the most notable points in which it is exhibited comes in the form of ‘Stay True To Your Heart.’  The song’s musical arrangement is grounded in its keyboard and electronic lines.  Wilkes-Krier’s subdued vocals alongside that presentation in the verses against the more energetic choruses creates a welcome juxtaposition.  That duality, which honestly has a little bit of a pop sensibility (that itself is actually welcome, too) in a weird way, works with the song’s lyrical theme to give the song even more depth and heart.

The lyrical theme featured in ‘Stay True To Your Heart’ works well in tandem with the song’s title.  It delivers a welcome message of positivity and hope, something for which Wilkes-Krier’s songs have come to be known throughout his career.  The message comes right from the song’s outset as Wilkes-Krier sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “You gotta close your eyes/And open up your soul/Let the power rise/Give it total control/Until your head’s on fire/’Till your body aches/Like a fever burning with desire/Will you do whatever it takes/Stay true/To your heart/Stay true/To your heart.”  The positive message continues in the song’s second verse, which finds Wilkes-Krier singing, “They’ll try to break you down/They’ll make you mess with your mind/They’ll leave your heart spellbound/You’ll leave yourself behind/Follow the fallen star/Far beyond Saturn’s rings/There’s an angel coming from afar/And only heaven knows what he brings.” The unique, artistic way in which the song delivers that positive message of keeping on despite those people and obstacles that will hold you back works well with the equally deep musical content featured in this song to make the whole of the song so appealing.  It is just one of the songs featured in this record that makes the album stand out.  ‘Everybody Sins,’ the album’s opener, is another example of the album’s strength.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Everybody Sins’ is unlike much of the musical content featured throughout the record.  In the case of this song, what audiences get is a composition that is diverse within itself.  The heavy, plodding drums and cymbals and rich keyboard line that pair up in the song’s opening bars create a sound that will appeal to fans of power and symphonic rock.  That sound returns in the song’s choruses while the verses are the polar opposite, offering up a much heavier, crunching, head banging style approach and sound.  The two distinct styles are, again, unique from one another, but are balanced so well and pair just as well in this case.  The connection that this allows the song to make with listeners is just one part of what makes the song stand out.  The lyrical theme that accompanies the song’s musical content adds even more to the song’s appeal.

As the song’s title implies, the lyrical theme centers on the reminder that nobody is perfect.  This is implied especially clearly in the song’s chorus, which states, “Everybody sings/Nobody wins/What will you do when the end begins…Everyone burns/Nobody learns/What will you do when the king returns/When the angel takes away tomorrow/Everybody sins.”  The note in the second verse that the “countdown getting’ faster/Lookin’ up for a master/You’re bettin’ on a guessing game” and everything else in that and the song’s lead verse really points even more to that message.  It almost comes across as a commentary on the actions of those people who try to act like they are so much more pious and righteous than others.  It really comes across as that message that, again, we are all the same and no one group or person is perfect in comparison to others.  This is all jus this critic’s interpretation, and should not be taken as the only interpretation.  If in fact it is somewhere in the proverbial ballpark then it is one more example of why Andrew W.K.’s new album is worth hearing.  Regardless, that the song can create such discussion is in itself more proof of the album’s depth.  It shows even more even in that aspect how much the record has to offer audiences.  It is just one more way in which the album shows itself worth hearing.  ‘My Tower’ is yet another example of the album’s positives.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘My Tower’ sands out from its counterparts in this record because this song is unlike those arrangements.  In the case of this song, the arrangement leans more directly in the direction of so much 80s hair metal, but is in fact much better.  That noted influence is evidenced through the pairing of the vocals with the song’s overall instrumentation.  The whole is so unique from the rest of the album’s entries.  It does so much to make the song stand out among its “peers.”  When the emotional depth of the song’s musical arrangement is considered along with the song’s lyrical theme, the whole becomes even more accessible.

The lyrical theme featured in ‘My Tower’ is a familiar song about a broken relationship.  This is made clear right from the song’s outset.  The verse states, “I’ll never go back/And be with you/I’m not the one/You thought you knew/We’ll never see each other again/I’ll never go/Back/And try to find/The world of ours/I left behind/We’ll never see each other again/No we’ll never see each other again.”  That theme continues in the song’s second verse, stating, “There’s a feeling rising up in me/And the feeling’s telling me to leave/I won’t even try and tell you why/You’ll never see me again.”  The song continues on in similar fashion from this point on in terms of its lyrical content.  The thing is that by this point, the song’s lyrical content is clear.  It is a familiar story.  When the pained emotion exuded by the song’s musical arrangement pairs with this all too familiar lyrical theme, its impact connects even more strongly with listeners.  It makes the song in whole show even more why God Is Partying is such an interesting addition to Andrew W.K.’s catalog.  When it is considered along with the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes the overall presentation one more of this year’s top new rock albums.

Andrew W.K.’s forthcoming sixth album, God Is Partying is a positive addition to his catalog.  It is also a presentation that will appeal to more casual rock fans.  That is due to its musical and lyrical content.  The album’s musical arrangements show clear growth from the band overall while the lyrical themes are unique in their own right.  All three of the songs examined here serve well to support that statement, too.  When the songs examined are considered along with the rest of the album’s works, the collective makes the album in whole one of the best of this year’s new rock entries. 

God Is Partying is scheduled for release Friday through Napalm Records.  More information on the album is available along with all of Andrew W.K.’s latest news at:

Website: https://andrewwk.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andrewwk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndrewWK

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.  

Rocklahoma Performance Times Announced

Courtesy: A12 Entertainment

The 2021 Rocklahoma Festival will go on for now.

Performance times for the festival were announced Wednesday through a news release distributed to the media. The festival’s unofficial start is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. ET Thursday with a performance by Devium IV on the Deb Concerts Stage.

Thursday night’s kickoff continues at 8:05 p.m. with a performance by Dead Metal Society. The Iron Maidens follow at 9:30 p.m. Stephen Pearcy, the voice of RATT will headline the evening’s events at 10:50 p.m.

FRIDAY

Friday’s official launch opens at 11 a.m. on the Deb Concerts Stage with a performance by Straight Six. Lovesick Radio, Outlaw Devils, Travis Bond & The Rebel Souls, and Color of Chaos keep things moving from 11:50 a.m. through 2 p.m.

Liliac closes out the performances on the Deb Concerts Stage at 5 p.m., but before that, Plush will take the stage at 4 p.m. on the Renegade Stage. Half an hour later at 3:30, From Ashes To New will open the action on the Renegade Stage.

Performances from the likes of Tremonti, Candlebox, and Sevendust are also scheduled for Friday. Rob Zombie is scheduled to headline Friday’s events at 10:45 p.m. on the Freedom Stage.

SATURDAY

Slipknot is scheduled to headline Saturday’s events at 10:45 p.m. on the Freedom Stage. Prior to its performance, other bands, such as John 5 and the Creatures, Zero 9:36, and Pop Evil are also scheduled to perform.

Also scheduled to perform Saturday are the likes of Butcher Babies, School of Rock, and Falling in Reverse.

SUNDAY

Sunday will see its own wide array of acts scheduled to perform. Among those scheduled to perform Sunday are The Hu, Puddle of Mudd, and Philip H. Anselmo and the Illegals.

The full rundown of performance times for this weekend’s festival is noted below.

Thursday, September 2

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

10:50 PM – Stephen Pearcy The Voice Of Ratt

9:20 PM – The Iron Maidens

8:05 PM – Dead Metal Society

7:00 PM – Devium IV

Friday, September 3

FREEDOM STAGE

10:45 PM – Rob Zombie

8:45 PM – Chevelle

6:55 PM – Sevendust

5:40 PM – Candlebox

4:30 PM – Ayron Jones

3:30 PM – From Ashes To New

RENEGADE STAGE

9:55 PM – Grandson

8:05 PM – Tremonti

6:20 PM – Austin Meade

4:00 PM – Diamante

3:00 PM – Plush

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

5:00 PM – Liliac

2:20 PM – Color Of Chaos

1:30 PM – Travis Bond & The Rebel Souls

12:40 PM – Outlaw Devils

11:50 AM – Love Sick Radio

11:00 AM – Straight Six

Saturday, September 4

FREEDOM STAGE

10:45 PM – Slipknot

8:45 PM – Anthrax

6:55 PM – Pop Evil

5:40 PM – Badflower

4:30 PM – Bones UK

3:30 PM – Butcher Babies

RENEGADE STAGE

9:55 PM – Falling in Reverse

8:05 PM – Jelly Roll

6:20 PM – Zero 9:36

4:00 PM – All Good Things

3:00 PM – School Of Rock

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

5:00 PM – John 5 And The Creatures

2:20 PM – Rocket Science

1:30 PM – Fist Of Rage

12:40 PM – 90LB Wrench

11:50 AM – Mind Of Fury

11:00 AM – The Rumours

Sunday, September 5

FREEDOM STAGE

8:45 PM – Halestorm

6:55 PM – Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals

5:40 PM – Motionless In White

4:30 PM – Steel Panther

3:30 PM – Stellar Ascent

RENEGADE STAGE

9:55 PM – The Hu

8:05 PM – Andrew W.K.

6:20 PM – Knocked Loose

4:00 PM – Cory Marks

3:00 PM – Jeris Johnson

DEB CONCERTS STAGE

5:00 PM – Puddle Of Mudd

2:20 PM – Budderside

1:30 PM – Paralandra

12:40 PM – Severmind

11:50 AM – Jessikill

11:00 AM – Chaotic Resemblance

A three-day pass is required to attend the Roadhouse Pre-Party on Sept. Thursday. Doors for the Roadhouse Pre-Party open at 11 a.m. Festival grounds open for the festival daily at 2 p.m.

Rocklahoma is presented by AEG Presents.

More information on Rocklahoma is available along with all of the festival’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.Rocklahoma.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rocklahoma

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rocklahoma

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Details Announced For Rob Zombie’s Great American Nightmare

Courtesy: Ahston-Magnuson Media

Courtesy: Ashton-Magnuson Media

Shock rocker Rob Zombie will close out this year’s “Great American Nightmare” festival.  The month long horror and music festival will be held at the Fearplex in Pomona, just outside Los Angeles.  It will be held every Thursday through Sunday during the month of October.  This year’s festival will include music performances, screenings of classic horror films, a haunted house, and lots of food and a variety of beverages.  The haunted house is run by Steve Kopelman, one of the nation’s preeminent haunted house producers.  Kopelman’s haunted house will have three attractions, all of which will be based on Zombie’s own films.

The music side of the “Great American Nightmare” will be just as entertaining as the haunted house and movies.  Each Thursday during the month of October will feature alternative bands.  Fridays will see electronica/dance acts.  And most Saturdays will feature hard rock and metal, while Sundays will feature music from Latin acts.  Among some of the music festival’s most notable acts are:  3OH!3, 45 Grave, Beware Of Darkness, Blaze Ya Dead Homie, Butcher Babies, Duane Peters, Eagles Of Death Metal, Ghost Town, Mod Sun, Motionless In White, Powerman 5000, TSOL, The Dickies, The Vandals, and Wallpaper.

Tickets to the “Great American Nightmare” are available now starting at thirty dollars.  They can be purchased online at http://GreatAmericanNightmare.com.  VIP packages are also available at the Great American Nightmare website.  Tickets include:  Access to all haunted house attractions, concerts and Bloody Boulevard activities.  Tickets can also be bought on-site at the Los Angeles County Fair at Pomona Fairplex from August 30^th to September 29^th.  The full lineup for the “Great American Nightmare” Music Festival is listed below.

Thursday, October 10: 3OH!3, Wallpaper

 

Friday, October 11: Blood On The Dance Floor, HeavyGrinder

 

Saturday, October 12: Kottonmouth Kings, Twiztid, Blaze Ya Dead Homie

 

Sunday, October 13: Ozomatli, with special guest

 

Thursday, October 17: The Used, William Control

 

Friday, October 18: DJ Bl3nd, DirtyLoud, One More Time (Daft Punk Tribute)

 

Saturday, October 19: The Vandals, TSOL, The Dickies, Duane Peters

 

Sunday, October 20: pro-wrestling sensations Lucha Libre USA, Metalachi

 

Thursday, October 24: Emilie Autumn with special guest

 

Friday, October 25: Doctor P, Zomboy, Terravita, Evol Intent

 

Saturday, October 26: Motionless In White, Butcher Babies, Ghost Town

 

Sunday, October 27: Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, with special guest

 

Thursday, October 31: Andrew W.K., Mod Sun, Beware Of Darkness

 

Friday, November 1: MAJOR EDM HEADLINER to be announced on September 25, Dirtyphonics, Fei-Fei

 

Saturday, November 2: Rob Zombie, Eagles Of Death Metal, Powerman 5000, 45 Grave

 

The “Great American Nightmare” from 6:30pm – 11pm each Thursday, and Sundays, and from 6:30pm – 1am each Saturday.  It is sponsored by Monster Energy Drink and Ernie Ball.

More information on the “Great American Nightmare” is available online at http://www.GreatAmericanNightmare.com, https://www.facebook.com/RobZombiesGreatAmericanNightmare, and http://twitter.com/RobZombiesGAN.

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.