The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Susan Rice needs to take a moment to think about whether she wants the job at Foggy Bottom. From Time:
In a rather unexpected—or, rather, very unexpected—post on his website on Nov. 23, the rocker known as Andrew W.K. shared some surprising news with his fans: he wrote that he had been appointed a cultural ambassador of the United States and would soon travel to Bahrain on behalf of the State Department to promote the positive vibes and good times for which he is known. It was all on behalf of spreading the party all over the world, the singer said in his statement: “I feel very privileged and humbled by the chance to represent the United States of America and show the good people of Bahrain the power of positive partying. I can hardly wait for this adventure!”
If you're not familiar with Andrew W.K. -- in which case I would suggest a few moments of silent thanks directed towards the divinity of your choice -- you may not realize just how awkward an emissary of American culture overseas he would make.
Long-haired, permanently clad in a white t-shirt, and frequently sporting an intentionally bloodied nose (he reportedly bashed himself in the face with a brick to get the look right for the cover of his 2001 album, "I Get Wet," the title no doubt a tribute to The Tempest), he cuts the figure of someone you've, at some point in your life, thrown out of your basement. As for his canon, it's ... shall we say, homogenous. The "I Get Wet" album featured tracks as diverse as "It's Time to Party", "Party Hard", and "Party Til You Puke." So let the record show that the gentleman is in favor of leisure.
Some of the latest reporting has suggested that W.K.'s announcement was a hoax, but that's not quite the State Department line. From Brokelyn:
A State Department spokesperson told us the following: “Andrew WK had been invited by the US Embassy in Bahrain to be part of a cultural speakers program, but upon further review, the program was canceled because it did not meet the standards of the State Department.”
I can't imagine why:
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Aug '10
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Given Andrew W.K.'s numerous appearances on Red Eye, I'm surprised he isn't among the Ricochetti.
Feb '12
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
I heard about this and couldn't believe it. I'm glad someone came to his or her senses.
Apr '11
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Troy, there's no question that Andrew W.K. is a poor choice for a cultural ambassador. But I think he's something of an ironist. I'm not saying it's good, but I think he is employing self-mockery. Here is one of his piano pieces: http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=pWsbnkeXGxE.Again, I'm not a fan. But there's more there than immediately apparent. Plus, I think he came across as pretty conservative on Red Eye, if memory serves. Very American anyway.
Apr '11
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
http://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=relmfu&v=pWsbnkeXGxE
Apr '11
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Little trouble posting the YouTube link from my phone, sorry.
Apr '11
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
This speaks to me of a bit of a disturbing trend. It reminds me greatly of the time Stephen Colbert was invited to a congressional hearing to speak on illegal immigration. He came entirely in character and essentially made a mockery of things. I don't like the direction we're going.
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Troy, Ugh. This is our "foreign policy," when it isn't even worse. From my blog titled People to People or Anti-People:
The Department of State, October 31, 2011: The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs announced today a new partnership with the Association of American Voices to engage with people across the world through music. .... [It] builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy, which embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools – in this case music – to bring people together and foster greater understanding. ....
I have nothing against cultural exchanges, and think it salutary for people of different nations to interact, to see that we’re all human beings. But the gall! Hillary Clinton laying claim to People to People Diplomacy?” How very progressive - and heartless - to see relations between “people” in terms of celebrating each other’s cultures, but not in terms of sharing our humanity and caring about each other’s human rights. Cultural relativists in Clinton’s State Department downplay the differences between democracies and repressive regimes and engage in “outreach” to the world’s worst dictators.
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Yes, I've heard that before. I have to admit that I've never understood 'ironic' careers. One comedic bit or song? That I get. But being Andy Kaufman or Andrew W.K. and having your entire public persona be a vaguely annoying gag? It's a little postmodern for my taste.
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Is this Hillary's way of bidding for the youth vote in 2016?
Aug '10
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
I love Andrew W.K.'s stuff, and his appearances on Red Eye have been fantastic.
Mar '11
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
Given that Bahrain is treated as "Allah's blind spot" by many of the Saudi royal eminences who routinely cross the bridge to Manamah on weekends, perhaps Andrew WK is the correct 'cultural ambassador' (he said in jest).
Oct '10
Re: The Diplomatic Implications of Partying 'Til You Puke
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtDcX6lo3dc
I'm the bearded dude in the hat behind one of Andrew's guitar amps in the video. The bewildered look on my face is authentic. I did the recording and mixing for this video and my old company did the video. He took the stage at 5:30 AM that night. Blind. Broke. Bedlam.
But Andrew is a competent performer and he knows exactly what he's doing, even if he crushed a beer can on his head and threw it at me that night. He's a smart one. I got to see him up close (he fell on top of me twice).
PS: any other music industry Ricochetti out there? I know about Escalante but how about mere mortals like lil' old me?