The powerful atmosphere of Tiger Stadium inspired Andrew W.K. years before 'Party Hard'

In 2001, a man in a sweaty, stained white T-shirt and white jeans emerged on the hard rock scene with a raucous anthem titled  "Party Hard" -- a song that would come to identify Andrew W.K. and everything he stood for: relentless positivity and, yes, partying. 
17 years later, he's preparing to release a new album, "You're Not Alone," filled with more blasts of uplifting rhythms, crushing riffs and his signature unending life-affirming existence. 

What, you may have asked yourself at some point over the years when coming in contact with his music, inspired this man as an artist? Well, as he explained to Cut4 recently, part of it came from how he found himself moved by the "atmosphere" of live sporting events, including the vibe at Tiger Stadium back in the day.
Bottling that type of energy was his goal, and it's driven him ever since.
Cut4: The Pittsburgh Penguins basically adopted "Party Hard" as their goal song a few years ago --
Andrew W.K.: Officially adopted!
Cut4: Was that a fun development for you on a personal level? When you were younger, did you play hockey, baseball, any of that?
Andrew W.K.: I wouldn't say I'm the strongest athlete or that I related to sports in the way that other people have -- but I did play them. And what I most enjoyed about sporting events, whether I was playing them, attending them or watching them on TV, was the atmosphere. The game itself to me was almost sort of an excuse to create this atmosphere of heightened intensity, heightened emotions, competition, drama ... it was a place where people could come together to experience all of these emotions and really powerful feelings, with relatively low stakes. It is a game, after all.
But that's the beauty of it. It's a place where you get to explore these emotions for the fun of it, much like going to see a movie. But it is happening, and it is people endeavoring to do their best on a physical and mental level. And at the same time, provide a release of some sort.
Often times, even if you're on a losing team, or even if you're going to the game without a particular attachment to either team, you can benefit from this atmosphere. I was always especially moved by the musical moments at sporting events. I grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, so we had an amazing sports legacy there -- all those marching bands, I'd go just to watch them practice. That's powerful music.

And the sense of camaraderie, many people playing together, I was always really moved by that, or people singing, many people doing the wave at a Tigers baseball game. And it was always amazing to think, "How can I participate in this?"
Since I wasn't a world-class athlete, I knew it'd never be through actually playing, but "How can I contribute to this atmosphere? How can I take part in this sports mania?"
So having my music used in that regard is actually one of the most fulfilling parts of my career.