Professional partier and Playtex Fresh + Sexy Intimate Wipes spokesman Andrew W.K. could choose to do just about anything, but for much of 2013 he’ll be singing the Ramones. W.K. has signed on to be the frontman for the latest incarnation of Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, which will tour the United States and Europe playing over 30 Ramones songs a night.
W.K. and the Ramones drummer met around Thanksgiving of last year and have been rehearsing for the tour — which kicks off May 3 at Santos Party House in New York City — for roughly two months. The two bonded over just about what you would expect.
“I like his philosophy of partying,” Ramone said. “He’s a great frontman, amongst other things. He’s a real professional, it’s very important.”
For W.K., the choice to devote a slice of his 2013 to singing someone else’s songs wasn’t much of a choice when that someone else is Marky Ramone.
“I didn’t choose it. He chose me, and that’s what’s so incredible. It wasn’t a choice and I’m proud of that. I didn’t have to debate whether to do it or not,” W.K. said. “It’s almost embarrassing to be in this position because of the number of people that would give anything to even be around Marky let alone sing for him. It’s serving the gods.”
For fans, too, the pairing makes sense. W.K.’s charisma as a bandleader is undeniable, and this is exactly the type of slightly bizarre yet totally sincere project that has defined his career.
“It felt like destiny, and it’s humbling and it’s inspiring and I’m flabbergasted,” W.K. said.
Ramone said that he brought up the idea of playing some of W.K.’s songs, but Andrew respectfully demurred.
“Marky had offered to have me play one of my songs like ‘Party Hard’ or something,” he said. “But I said ‘No, we can play that in the PA [before the show].”
W.K. said that picking up Ramones songs is not as easy as one would expect, and that the rehearsals alone have already made him a better singer. He then joked that the one song he’s having the most trouble with is the one with just a few lines.
“‘I Don’t Care,'” he cracked. “That’s probably the one I’m still having trouble memorizing the lyrics for.”
Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg Tour Dates
May 3 – New York City, NY @ Santos Party House
May 9 – Novi Sad, Serbia @ Main Square
May 10 – Rome, Italy @ Crossroads Live Club
May 11 – Zaragoza, Spain @ Actitude Festival
May 12 – Valencia, Spain @ Rock City
May 14 – Saint Petersburg, Russia @ Club Zal
May 15 – Ekaterinburg, Russia @ Tele-Club
May 16 – Moscow, Russia @ 16 Tons
June 30 -Helsinki, Finland @ Circus Venue
July 5 – Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz
July 7 – Terra Vibe, Greece @ Rockwaves Festival
July 19 – Altes Lager, Germany @ Jamboree Festival
October 2 – Washington, D.C. @ 9:30 Club
October 3 – New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
October 4 – Boston, MA @ Paradise
October 6 – Philadelphia, PA @ Theatre of Living Arts
October 8 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
October 10 – Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s
October 12 – San Francisco, CA @ Independent
October 15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Henry Fonda Theatre
Oct. 23 – London, U.K. @ Electric Ballroom
Oct. 24 – Mancehster, U.K. @ Academy
Oct. 25 – Glasgow, Scotland @ TBA
