Rocker Andrew W.K. will be partying hard this Saturday at Howard’s Club H. But he almost moved his party to Perrysburg.
W.K. — known for his hit “Party Hard” and wild stage antics — was originally scheduled to play Howard’s before moving his show to The Mission in Perrysburg. When The Mission couldn’t hold the show, he put Bowling Green back on the tour.
“You can go back as far as Halloween — that’s when I was approached to have him play,” according to Jim Gavarone, owner of Howard’s. “It was even on our Web site,” Gavarone said. But the band’s back-and-forth schedule shouldn’t hurt the show or atmosphere, according to Gavarone. The crowd as well as W.K. should keep excitement high.
“From what I’ve heard about his fans, they’re pretty fanatical,” he said.
And the fans should pack the place, according to Gavarone. “I do expect it to be a full house.”
Several national acts have put Howard’s to capacity since it started booking bands in the late 1960’s. The club hosted Super Drag on Nov. 2 and grammy-winner John Scofield in April. But no recent artist has had a hit as big as “Party Hard,” which has received airplay on both radio and MTV.
Whether or not Howard’s is able to secure famous artists like W.K. depends mainly on bands’ tour schedules. When they have a day off from bigger shows nearby, then Howard’s gets its chance. “That’s our biggest problem in getting quality acts,” he said. “They have to be on their way to some place else.”
Andrew W.K. is on tour opening for Aerosmith now. The band’s show at Howard’s falls between two others with Aerosmith in Michigan on Friday and Sunday.
“If we can catch them on an off night, then they’ll come and play,” Gavarone said.
Promoting the concert, Gavarone put a poster outside the club of W.K.’s debut album, “I Get Wet.” But the picture — one of W.K.’s bloodied face — was a bit too graphic for some passers-by.
“I’ve caught some heat for that,” he said.
Howard’s has run into controversy before.
“A few years back, we almost had Marilyn Manson,” he said. “I was catching heat for that, too, before it was even announced. But, again, he went for a bigger venue in Toledo.”
One thing that shouldn’t be an issue is safety. Gavarone plans to squeeze extra security guards into what he imagines will be an already-packed venue.
Tickets are on sale for $10 online at MusicToday.com and $12 at the door.
They can also be bought at Madhatter Music and Kroger. A service charge may be included.
Doors will open at 8 p.m. Shaihulud and Gil Mantera’s Party Dream will open for W.K.