On Wednesday night’s O Music Awards, profound partymeister Andrew W.K. will attempt to set a previously unimaginable (mostly because it didn’t exist) world record: Longest Drum Session in a Retail Store. And, much like he does with all of his endeavors — music, motivational speaking, hanging out with “Bronies” — he’s throwing himself headlong into the challenge.
“I’ve been preparing, always air-drumming, sometimes with weights or weighted gloves, sometimes playing along to Napalm Death,” he told MTV News. “Let it said, I’m not taking this lightly; I think it will push me to the very lengths of my strengths.”
Yes, for the duration of this year’s awards — 24 hours (!) — W.K. will man the drum kit in Oakley’s flagship Times Square store, being joined by the occasional surprise guest (the Roots’ ?uestlove will serve as his co-pilot for the first leg of the journey). But mainly, he’ll be going it alone … and, he’s already preparing himself mentally for the ordeal. Within reason, of course.
“I am playing drums for 24-hours non-stop. With that being said, in the tradition of record-setting, you are allowed five minutes per hour to vomit, to urinate, defecate, to be able to eat some food to then be able to puke up. That five-minute window, you don’t have to take it, but it’s there,” he said. “And the great thing about drumming is that it may, at times, be reduced to [a slow beat], but I promise I will not end up getting so slow that I am not drumming; I will always be drumming.”
W.K. will also be counting on the support of his fans — “Anyone who is going to be at this event, I need your energy,” he implored. “I am like a drum vampire who is sucking the rhythmic skill and energy out of you” — to help him set the record, not to mention the power of his two primary influences: partying and pizza.
“To survive a 24-hour drum marathon, the first thing I would say is to be hydrated and well-fed … you want to be thinking about pizza,” he laughed. “Sort of like dangling a carrot in front of a greyhound doggie, it will keep chasing that carrot. So I may put a hot pizza just out of arm’s reach … have a fan waft the odor and aroma, and that may tantalize me as a rich reward; at the end of the 24-hour period, I get to bite down on that pizza pie.”
The O Music Awards launch Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT at OMusicAwards.com
No Comments