Lil Nas X. Let’s go over this again: The reason this column is called RIFF Rewind is because back in 2018 I listed my top five (or so) songs of every year from 1967 to 2018. I don’t know how I actually finished the project, but I did it.…

The best albums of 2021 include Marina Diamandis, The Marias, The Fratellis, Maximo Park, Morgan Wallen, Wardruna, Prince, At the Gates, Hayley Williams, Andrew W.K., Miranda Lambert, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and Liz Phair. RIFF’s writers reviewed hundreds of albums in 2021, and although the year isn’t over,…

In 2018, Andrew W.K. released You’re Not Alone, his first new rock album in 12 years. During his contractually inspired hiatus, he spent time variously as an advice columnist, a children’s show host and a motivational speaker, each new venture gaining him new fans. Perhaps as an acknowledgment of…

Daniel J Willis is actually two Skee-Los tall. We took a break from music last week, but now I’m back with our regularly scheduled nonsense. This past Thursday was my birthday, which means it’s time for my annual self-indulgent column of songs I like with no regard for theme…

They didn’t know it yet, but only Beyonce could pay their auto-mo-bills. We’re still in that dark time between album rock and YouTube. Record company executives had almost all the power to decide what we got to hear. Worse, what they decided we wanted to hear was still boy…

Andrew W.K. performs at The Fillmore in San Francisco on Sept. 6, 2018. Photos: Daniel Lee. SAN FRANCISCO — An Andrew W.K. concert is very much a hard rock show. The giant wall of amps at the back of the stage turned up loud enough that you can feel the…

Andrew W.K. Last fall, Andrew W.K. was in the process of returning to music for the first time in a decade with You’re Not Alone, his first album in a decade. When he finally went on tour, he played the 500-capacity Independent. When he returns next week, it will be…

Since 2006, rock musician Andrew W.K. has been a motivational speaker, owned a New York nightclub, hosted a national radio show, released an improvised solo piano album, hosted a children’s show, written an advice column, released a cover album of songs from the Gundam anime franchise, toured as a…

Photos: Jon Bauer SAN FRANCISCO — I feel like I lost a fight. My throat is sore from shouting song lyrics. I can’t hear a thing. I also can’t stop smiling. Andrew W.K., Shame Waves 8 p.m., Thursday The Independent Tickets: $25. I think, by Andrew W.K.’s definition, that means I successfully…

Andrew W.K. photographed at a show in Boise, Idaho, on Aug. 7, 2006. Photo: Gary Chancer Last week we began a conversation with rock and roller—and serious partier—Andrew W.K. about his ongoing tour and upcoming album. In the course of our interview, we covered a lot more diverse topics, and…