Andrew W.K. Versus Boz Scaggs

This weekend, both Andrew W.K. and Boz Scaggs are playing Vancouver. Well, Boz is playing the Red Robinson Show Theatre in Coquitlam, but you get the drift.

Now, an enterprising music fan could see both artists easily enough, since Scaggs plays Friday and W.K. the following night. But let's say you only have enough concert cash to see one act -- which should you choose? All things being equal in the juicy realm of rock 'n roll, we've composed this guide to help you decide.

Name: Andrew W.K.
Real name: Andrew Fetterley Wilkes Krier.
Birthdate: May 9, 1979.
Background: Father is a legal scholar and professor at the University of Michigan Law School.
Sample album cover image: W.K.'s 2001 album I Get Wet features a photograph of blood running from his nose onto his chin and neck.
Style: Purposely dumbed-down party anthems Sample song lyrics:
"So let's get a party going (let's get a party going)
Now it's time to party and we'll party hard (party hard)
Let's get a party going (let's get a party going)
When it's time to party we will always party hard
Party hard (party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard party hard, party hard, party hard...)"
- from Party Hard"
Best known for: Partying hard; his 2001 album I Get Wet; appearing with anyone, anywhere, to do anything.
Controversy: May actually be a corporate front for someone named Steev Mike.
Appeals to: Ironic indie-rock hipsters; Jackass fans. Vancouver connection: Has collaborated with Nardwuar.
Rock 'n roll hall of fame candidate bona fides: Has collaborated with Nardwuar.
Has opened his own nightclub: Yes -- Santos Party House in NYC.
Show: Andrew W.K. at Venue Saturday March 3. Tickets $25 at 1-855-985-5000, Zulu, Red Cat, and Highlife, and www.ticketmaster.ca and at Ticketmaster outlets.

Name: Boz Scaggs.
Real name: William Royce Scaggs.
Birthdate: June 8, 1944.
Background: Father was a traveling salesman.
Sample album cover image: The 1980 album Middle Man shows Boz, exhaling smoke and wearing a suit, lying with his head propped on a woman's stockinged leg. We're not even going to mention the back cover image.
Style: Smooth-crooning yacht-rock; classic R 'n B.
Sample song lyrics:
"You ain't got to be so bad got to be so cold
This dog eat dog existence sure is getting old
Got to have a Jones for this Jones for that
This running with the Joneses boy
Just ain't where it's at
You gonna come back around
To the sad, sad truth, the dirty lowdown."
- from Lowdown"
Best known for: His 1976 album Silk Degrees hit number two in the U.S. and number one in many other parts of the world; hits include "Lido Shuffle" and "Lowdown."
Controversy: Not much, but that Middle Man album cover...
Appeals to: Classic rock and soul fans, i.e. the mostly over-40 set; ultra-hip 20-something DJs.
Rock 'n roll hall of fame candidate bona fides: Has played with Steve Miller, Duane Allman, Donald Fagen, Michael McDonald. Also: Toto.
Has opened his own nightclub: Yes -- Slim's in San Francisco.
Show: Boz Scaggs at the Red Robinson Show Theatre March 2. Golden Circle $84.50 | Orchestra $74.50 | plus service charges Tickets on sale at all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone 1-855-985-5000 or online.

So what's it going to be? The more adventurous music fan might choose Andrew W.K., which is sure to be a show you'll be talking to your co-workers about come Monday morning. Boz is a little more iffy -- does he really still enjoy singing "Lido Shuffle"? -- but he's also the more seasoned performer with a gold-plated back catalogue. And he probably has a few tricks up his sleeve -- though nothing that will get him in the next Jackass movie.