Andrew W.K.

Andrew W.K. Bio

Andrew Fetterly Wilkes-Krier (born May 9, 1979), known professionally as Andrew W.K., is an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer and motivational speaker. Raised in Michigan, he began performing in local bands in the mid-1990s and adopted the Andrew W.K. moniker for his solo work. He rose to prominence with the 2001 album I Get Wet and its anthemic single “Party Hard”, developing a reputation for high-energy performances and party-focused lyrics. Andrew has released several studio albums—The Wolf (2003), Close Calls with Brick Walls (2006), 55 Cadillac (2009), You’re Not Alone (2018), and God Is Partying (2021)—and expanded into writing, production, television, and motivational lectures, promoting a philosophy of positivity and celebratory self-confidence.

Early Life and Background

Andrew Fetterly Wilkes-Krier was born in Stanford, California, on May 9, 1979, and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan after moving there at age four. His father is professor James E. Krier, a legal scholar at the University of Michigan Law School, and his mother is Wendy Wilkes. He has a younger brother, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, who is a professional golfer. At age four, Andrew began learning piano at the University of Michigan School of Music. He has recalled early family trips to midnight mass as having had an enormous impact on his love for music. He was dubbed Andrew W.K. by an elementary school teacher to differentiate him from his classmates with the same first name. Andrew attended Community High School from 1993 to 1997, where he continued studying piano and keyboard.

Path to Music

In 1993, at age 14, Andrew joined the band Slam (later called Reverse Polarity), marking the beginning of his musical career. Over the next five years, he played in numerous Detroit-based punk rock and heavy metal bands, including The Pterodactyls, Lab Lobotomy, Music Band, and Mr. Velocity Hopkins. In 1998, Andrew moved from Michigan to New York City, where he worked various jobs including bubblegum machine salesman and fashion photographer. He also worked at Comme des Garçons and began recording solo material under his full name. In 1999, he moved to Seffner, Florida, to start building his live band with drummer Donald “D.T.” Tardy of death metal band Obituary, marking a significant step in his professional musical development.

Andrew W.K. Career

Early Career (1993-1999)

Andrew’s first publicly released recording came in 1996 when his song “Mr. Surprise” was included on the compilation Plant the Flower Seeds by Ypsilanti, Michigan-based label Westside Audio Laboratories. During this period, he performed in various punk rock and heavy metal bands in Detroit. In 1998, he released a cassette-only single entitled Room to Breathe on Hanson Records under his full name, followed by plans for You Are What You Eat which were scrapped when master recordings went missing. Andrew also recorded the soundtrack for an independent film named Poltergeist, with one track appearing on the Hanson Records compilation Labyrinths & Jokes. These early years established his experimental musical style and set the foundation for his future solo work under the Andrew W.K. moniker.

Breakthrough (2000-2003)

Andrew’s breakthrough began in March 2000 with his first EP Girls Own Juice on Bulb Records, which introduced his hard rock-influenced musical style. The EP received a five-star rating from Kerrang! magazine and increased buzz around his “hedonistic, so-dumb-it’s-smart rawk.” Following the EP, Andrew released Party Til You Puke in October 2000 before signing with Island Records. His major-label debut studio album I Get Wet was released on November 13, 2001, featuring metal and punk rock influences with party-themed lyrics. Known for its controversial cover art showing Andrew with a bloody nose, the album earned positive press and featured the hit singles “Party Hard” and “She Is Beautiful.” Andrew joined Ozzy Osbourne’s Ozzfest tour and licensed tracks for various media, significantly raising his profile in the music industry. His second studio album The Wolf was released in late 2003, despite earning his highest chart position at #61 on the Billboard 200, it had limited commercial success. During this tour, Andrew broke his foot but continued performing in a wheelchair, demonstrating his dedication to his fans.

Notable Works and Milestones

I Get Wet stands as Andrew’s signature work, featuring the anthemic “Party Hard” which became his most recognizable song. Despite its controversial cover art, the album sold 267,000 copies in the US by September 2018. His career-defining moments include his Ozzfest appearance, licensing music for Jackass: The Movie, and developing his high-energy performance style that became central to his identity. The album “Party Hard” became an cultural phenomenon, frequently played at sporting events and parties worldwide.

Andrew W.K. Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Andrew W.K. has received various nominations and recognition for his work in music and beyond. His production work for Lee “Scratch” Perry’s album Repentance earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album in 2009. In addition to his musical achievements, Andrew’s motivational speaking and positive philosophy have garnered attention, leading to numerous speaking engagements at prestigious institutions and events.

Andrew W.K. Awards Won

Andrew W.K. has received significant recognition for his contributions to music and positive influence on popular culture. In 2018, he was named Person of the Year by the American Association of Suicidology for “his consistent and powerful use of positivity to improve the lives of those who hear his music.” Additionally, his EP Girls Own Juice received a five-star rating from Kerrang! magazine early in his career, marking one of his first major accolades in the music industry. His album I Get Wet achieved significant commercial success and critical acclaim, establishing his place in the rock music landscape.

Andrew W.K. Family

Andrew W.K. is the son of James E. Krier, a legal scholar at the University of Michigan Law School and co-author of the widely used Dukeminier & Krier property casebook, and Wendy Wilkes. He has a younger brother, Patrick Wilkes-Krier, who is a professional golfer and coach in Michigan. Andrew was previously married to Cherie Lily from 2008 to 2019, who performed with his band as a vocalist and hypewoman from 2006 until 2018. They have two children, though Andrew keeps them out of the public eye. In May 2021, Andrew announced he was dating actress Kat Dennings, and they married on November 27, 2023, at their Los Angeles home.

Personal Life

Andrew W.K. currently resides in Los Angeles, California, United States. Known for his long hair and wearing a usually dirty all-white outfit consisting of a white t-shirt, white jeans, black digital watch, and sneakers, his physical appearance has become iconic in his persona. The album artwork for I Get Wet featured a photo of Andrew with a bloody nose, which is frequently used in his merchandise and has become part of his image. Andrew has six tattoos, all of which are straight lines on his arms. His philosophy of positivity and celebratory self-confidence extends beyond his music into his personal brand, influencing his public appearances and motivational speaking engagements.