Former Ramones drummer, Marky Ramone who drummed in the band from 1978-1983 and again from 1987 until the band called it quits in 1996, is currently doing his own project, Mark Ramone's Blitzkrieg. Marky and band are hitting the road this October with lead vocals to be handled by Andrew WK.
Andrew W.K. will be joining Marky Ramone as his lead singer for their 2013 world tour. The punk drumming icon and his band will be fronted by the king of partying for a high-octane performance of more than THIRTY of Marky’s classic fan-favorite songs! These will include songs that took Marky from the halcyon stage of CBGB’s to touring around the world. From the celluloid halls of Rock ‘n Roll High School, to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame, Ramone’s career has taken him far and wide, earning him a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an MTV Lifetime Achievement Award, and immortalizing his handprints on the Hollywood Rock Walk.
Speaking on how he chose Andrew W.K. as his singer, Ramone said, “I first met Andrew through a mutual friend and he told me about his party philosophy, which has also always been my exact take on life. We went into the rehearsal studio and it just clicked. We had so much fun that we wanted to invite everyone to the party. I’ve said before and I will say it again, these songs are too good not to be played live!!!”
W.K. echoed Ramone’s sentiment, saying, “When Marky Ramone asks you to be his singer, you don’t even think about it. It’s an automatic, YES. I was intimidated by the magnitude of the opportunity – freaked out and overwhelmed – but I was also completely determined and focused – it’s something I had to do. Even just the first rehearsal felt like an odyssey, but that’s how you can tell the experience is changing your life. I’ve never had a more rewarding, humbling, or challenging invitation than this, and I’m serving the gods via this incredible sound Marky and his band created. There’s never been better rock ‘n’ roll music made than this, and I will give everything I have to do it justice.”
The historic pairing will kick-off their world tour in New York City on May 3rd, 2013 at Andrew’s very own venue, Santos Party House, in downtown Manhattan. Following that show is a wealth of national and international dates, to be announced shortly.
Currently, Marky Ramone hosts his own weekly satellite radio show “Punk Rock Blitzkrieg,” which is broadcast nationally via Sirius/XM Faction. He has also entered the culinary realm with the release of his highly successful Marinara Pasta Sauce, based on his Great Grandfather’s recipe. Marky Ramone’s Marinara Pasta Sauce has wowed such mainstream media outlets as the Wall Street Journal, Food Network Magazine and the New York Post. The sauce is even served and sold at world renowned chef Daniel Boulud’s New York City restaurant, DBGB Kitchen & Bar.
Andrew W.K. has been a constant figure in national media ever since his 2000 debut, and in recent years he’s been spreading his message of positive partying and high-energy entertainment with even greater intensity. His singular ability to straddle both mainstream media and fringe culture has made him an instantly recognizable modern pop icon. An example of his lasting influence is the recent 10th Anniversary Deluxe release of his landmark debut album, I Get Wet, the world tour of which sold out dates across the U.S., Europe, Australia and Japan. Most recently, Energizer Personal Care announced Andrew W.K. as the face of Playtex’s new product, Fresh + Sexy Wipes. Andrew continues to surprise, confound, and engage his audience with an expanding array of energetic and enthusiastic entertainment.