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| Andrew WK / Shai Huludlive in Bowling Green2002 live show  Review by: DontBeSoDigital See others by this writer Only registered users can post comments 
 
Published on December 20th 2002 If there is one word to describe this show it would simply be: bizarre. At the show, you could find so many differant types of people, I can't remember the last time I saw such a diverse group of people at one show. You had people of differant color, fashion, shapes, sizes and age. Andrew W.K. must be doing something right if he's getting so many differant people together at one show. The show didn't start until almost 10:00 p.m., people were getting rather anxious and the first band Gil Mantera's Party Dream opened a little early. Gil Mantera's Party Dream is a two peice, local band that plays this strange mix of techno, dance, and rock. The singer "Ultimate Donny" often went into incoherant ramblings, the few words I did pick up were either about 1) How great he is, 2) incest and 3) He and his brother will be the first in line for Jurassic Park 4. The band did a lot of strange things such as do weird dances on stage or on the bar, wear nothing but speedos and leotards and rub themselves constantly. Quite bizarre and possibly the most disturbing performance I've ever seen in my life. I heard someone say that they are a "retarded version of DEVO." I couldn't agree anymore with that. Next came Shai Hulud... For those who are unfamiliar, this is a hardcore band, they reminded me of Poison The Well. This band isn't my cup of tea, I'm not going to sit here and bash them because I know people are into this type of thing and simply put: This isn't something I'm into. They did however, have a lot of fans at this show. I was quite surprised. The pit that the band started was a little on the rough side, some elbows were being thrown, some kicks, some fights broke out, things like that. The actual performance of the band was good, despite the fact I couldn't stand the music. They have a good stage presence. They had a lot of energy and the singer did a lot of interaction with the crowd and he was often found crowd surfing. For all you Shai Hulud fans, they announced that they have a new album that will be coming out early next year. Next came Andrew W.K... A.W.K. is opening for Aerosmith now and on his off days, he's playing in small clubs, that's something I've always appreciated bands doing when they play with nationally known acts. It gives the real fans a chance to see their favorite performers. He and his band weren't the best sounding band I've ever heard, but they were probably the most fun band I've ever seen before. The whole floor became almost one giant party it seemed and A.W.K. obviously knows how to get a crowd going. A.W.K. is incredibly energetic, probably the most energetic performer I've ever seen in my life. And throughout the entire show he had one giant smile on his face, this guy really, really enjoys what he's doing. He loved every second of being on that stage. He then said at one point in the show, "No matter how bad of a day I have, the one thing that keeps me going is you guys, the fans. So, thank you for giving me a reason to live." That may have sounded corny to you readers, but this guy was sincere in saying that, and I think it made the whole crowd feel really good and respect the guy even more. He and his band played all his songs off his album and did an encore to "Dont Stop Living In The Red". The show often had to be stopped because of the lack of security guards and people getting crushed up front. But, that happens at a lot of shows, so that's nothing really new.
Overall, it was probably the weirdest but the most enjoyable show I've ever seen. You don't have to like A.W.K.'s music, but I think you should at least respect the guy for trying to make sure everyone has fun and bringing so many people together.
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never seen AWK and dont really like his music but i hear his live show is incredible so id like to go see them. give him a chance I think that Andrew W.K. sucks, but i have to give the guy credit. i saw the assclown at Ozzfest and after his set, he signed autographs forever. Not just a little scribble of his initials. he wrote some serious shit and actually talked to the fans and listened to them. definitely the type of guy i'd want living in my neighborhood (good parties=hot chicks!!!!). Also, i'm not sure if it is Andrews choice to play with the bands he does play with, but it usually makes me laugh. When he came to cleveland last time it was in support of Flogging Molly. 80's cheese playing with an irish punk band is funny IMO. Andrew WK sucks. I hate hair metal. I hate hair metal immitators who fail at their job even worse. wow, all this controversy over a few lines out of a show review? get a life kids. everyone gets to have an opinion, so respect that shit, you can try to convince a person to see things your way, but calling someone an asshole is probably not the best route to take. i don't smoke weed, but i can see that a few people on this site need to. take a muthafuckin chill pill. and for the record, MY opinion is that AWK is the most genuine, unpretentious person in modern rock. he personally rules, though his music is merely okay. his shows are truly amazing, because that's what he lives for. few musicians can match his intensity live. that is all ambler, pennsylvania is a pretty shitty place. by 'pretty' i mean 'extremely'. That is way too funny. i think the reviewer just fucked up "Some of you need to get over what the reviewer wrote. It was well written and he may not be a "purist" like some of you here who get your panties all tied up in a knot because you didn't like what he wrote or what he compared. " Doesn't AWK's whole "breaking the mold" image while showing himself all over mainstream tv mean he's just promoting a different image? Anything to take away from the fact that you go to Bowling Green has to be a plus. This review is biased. Bah, Poison The Well DOES have some similarities to Shai Hulud. Both have intense performances, intense vocals, and the music has a lot melody. I would also say that Hopesfall would also fall in the same "type" of music as these two other bands. "seriously, everyone saying 'awk sucks' or 'nofx' sucks'.....SHUT THE FUCK UP. thats a bunch of shit that you're only "voicing your opinion"." And comparing Shair Hulud and PTW is not like comparing apples and oranges here people. No, they don't sound the same, but they do have many similarities. "You're obviously not, if you can read." Andrew W K is pretty sweet. Hes just a big party animal. Comparing Shai Hulud to Poison the Well...haha well its obvious this reviewer isnt into hardcore..but i mean if you dont know anything about hardcore in general dont go dropping names because you think it may make you sound intellegent. "For those who are unfamiliar, this is a hardcore band, they reminded me of Poison The Well. " "Seriously, WHY does everyone like this Andrew dude. This shit is terrible. Tell me I'm not the only one..." Quick note, after the show, Andrew WK stayed for 4 hours and talked to every single fan there and wrote out multiple paragraphed personal letters to each fan. Shai Hulud sounds like Poison the Well!? Way to not know anything about the genre and compare them to the most recognizable name in Metalcore. I was never a big fan of RWB. I loved surgarbuzz though. Those guys where great. Nice guys too. There was a local band called "Make fun of us again and we'll kill you" that played there a few times that were cool too. Andrew WK might be the only musical act around that can do shows with Flogging Molly, Aerosmith, Shai Hulud, and Ozzfest, and still fit in everywhere. Shai Hulud sounds like Poison the Well!? Way to not know anything about the genre and compare them to the most recognizable name in Metalcore. shai hulud sounds nothing like posion the well you tool. when afi's new album comes out, you will shit your pants. Yeah, it was at Howards, kind of hard to believe isn't it? I go to BG a lot because I used to date a girl there and a friend from high school plays for the hockey team. Howards is actually the American Bar I've been to the most, so it was kind of neat to see such a 'big' show, for it being a shitty hole in the wall. We go there a lot to see Red Wanting Blue whenever they come, also. Those guys are pretty good. Howards is dope. Definitely worth the hour 15 from Detroit to see RWB. Yeah, I also saw Mr. K open up for Flogging Molly at the Palace in good o' LA. Pretty entertaining. AWK isn't really my type of music, but he really is an awesome guy. i saw him open for flogging molly a while back and during has last song he let as many people up on stage as possible (keep in mind this was a big club and the security was tight as hell). he lifted kids up on his shoulders, shook hands with people, and was even giving out hugs when they finished up their set. after the show he stood outside in the freezing cold signing autographs and writing about a paragraph for everyone that wanted something signed. seriously, everyone saying 'awk sucks' or 'nofx' sucks'.....SHUT THE FUCK UP. thats a bunch of shit that you're only "voicing your opinion". thats not a fucking opinion. an opinion is "i dont like this music" or "this band really has absolutely no idea how to play" or something like that. you fuckers who just try to instigate shit by saying a band sucks just pisses me off. and maybe thats what you're trying to do. but simply put, all it does it show to the whole world your lower-than-average IQ level. I freaking hate Simple Plan, but im not gonna say they suck. I just think they're rip-offs doing what a million pop punk bands have done before...but i'm not going to try to piss somebody off. AWK at least gives everyone the respect they deserve, and you little shitheads bashing him should do the same thing back. at least hes fucking brining together a bunch of scenes that normally would NEVER interact with each other. in my book, thats enough to give all my respect to him, considering how divided all the different scenes are. rock on. Because he's not faking his orgasm like every other worthless SOB in the music industry. He actually cares about the music. Seriously, WHY does everyone like this Andrew dude. This shit is terrible. Tell me I'm not the only one... I am giving this 5 stars just for Andrew WK. Was this at Howards? I used to hang out there almost every night before I graduated. I miss that place. So dark. So dirty. So perfect. So who sucks worse, Sum41, NFG, Simple Plan, or this guy? Four way tye. There are other things that makes music good besides total originality and serious lyrics. They may not be the most original, but they do what they do really well and it's fun music...something a lot of people forget about. And to top it off the guy seems like one of the most genuine people in the mainstream music industry these days. No one has to like it, but to call the guy a ripoff for it is stupid. AWK is one awesome guy. definetely great times with him. I was at this show. It was great. Andrew WK is not the most talented or original but he gets huge points for emphasizing fun over everything else. You have no choice to respect a guy that genuinely about the fans, and will stop at nothing to make sure everyone is having a good time. I remember the first time that I saw the "Party Hard" video, I thought it was a joke, but since then he has become one of my favorite acts just because his live shows are incredibly fun. I don't think he is ripping anything off, I just think he is doing his best to have a good time. Andrew WK gets maximum respect. Andrew W.K. does seem like a cool guy, but the music sucks intensely. Holy shit Shai Hulud toured with andrew w.k.??????????? awesome Yeah, he just makes shitty rip offs of hair metal. Dont tell people to shut up when its all about opinion. He sucks major ass and thinks music is only about stupidity. Most AWK fans would hate good bands, that had lyrics that covered other areas besides "wanting fun" and "partying". Andrew W.K. rules! I think it's mostly because he refuses to be an "image", like so many big acts out there. He doesn't bathe, he doesn't change his shirt ... and he doesn't care. He's all about the rock. So shut up. |
