--- description: In a rather unexpected—or, rather, very unexpected—post on his website on Nov. 23, the rocker known as Andrew W.K. shared some surprising news with his... title: Will Andrew W.K. Really Visit Middle East on Behalf of Partying and State Department? image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd87a1b1ee2d90b9e/698a8f64457a526709d70064/awk.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) # Will Andrew W.K. Really Visit Middle East on Behalf of Partying and State Department? by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) Nov 26, 2012 5:45 PM CUT  MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 13: Andrew W.K. performs on stage at Manchester Academy on April 13, 2012 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images) MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 13: Andrew W.K. performs on stage at Manchester Academy on April 13, 2012 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty Images)Redferns via Getty Images—2012 Gary Wolstenholme by [TIME Staff](/author/time-staff/) Nov 26, 2012 5:45 PM CUT In a rather unexpected—or, rather, _very_ unexpected—[post](http://andrewwk.com/news/us-department-of-state-brings-andrew-to-the-middle-east-as-a-cultural-ambassador-of-partying "undefined") on his website on Nov. 23, the rocker known as Andrew W.K. shared some surprising news with his fans: he wrote that he had been appointed a cultural ambassador of the United States and would soon travel to Bahrain on behalf of the State Department to promote the positive vibes and good times for which he is known. It was all on behalf of spreading the party all over the world, the singer said in his statement: “I feel very privileged and humbled by the chance to represent the United States of America and show the good people of Bahrain the power of positive partying. I can hardly wait for this adventure!” But head-bangers of the Middle East may be very disappointed. As of today, [_Brokelyn_](http://brokelyn.com/partys-over-trust-us-andrew-wk-is-not-going-to-bahrain-as-a-cultural-ambassador/ "undefined") reports that a State Department staffer denied knowledge of Andrew W.K.’s statement. (**MORE**: [Ke$ha on Bathing in Glitter, Singing with Iggy Pop, and That “Intimate Experience” She Had With a Ghost](http://entertainment.time.com/2012/11/20/keha-on-bathing-in-glitter-singing-with-iggy-pop-and-that-intimate-experience-she-had-with-a-ghost-2 "undefined")) News that the mission to Bahrain may indeed be a hoax is not surprising. For one thing, the current situation in Bahrain is [far from stable](http://www.boston.com/news/world/middle-east/2012/11/26/clashes-erupt-near-former-bahrain-protest-hub/W8dF2YUsDpVVdOWXJgpdrK/story.html "undefined"), and Andrew W.K.’s advice to “[Party Till You Puke](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVY%5F7Iut5ZE "undefined")” wouldn’t exactly be the most sensitive message from the U.S. government. Or maybe it’s not a hoax: the rocker [insists](https://twitter.com/AndrewWK/status/272929900632104960 "undefined") via Twitter that the whole thing is for real. But fans familiar with the rocker’s past have reason to be skeptical. This isn’t the first time Andrew W.K. has been linked to a low-level conspiracy theory. He hasn’t had any major chart hits, but has been known for decades for his signature long hair and white t-shirts (often accompanied by a nose bleed), songs like “Party Hard” and “We Want Fun” and “Fun Night,” and his New York City performance venue [Santos Party House](http://nymag.com/nightlife/features/56300/ "undefined"). Yet he’s also been associated with questions of whether he even exists at all. Andrew Wilkes-Krier is a real person but in 2010 rumors swirled that he was also a performance-art construct, a case of the real Wilkes-Krier switching identities with a shadowy figure named Steev Mike. (There’s a good rundown of the details [over at _Gawker_](http://gawker.com/5439943/andrew-wk-and-the-problem-of-identity "undefined").) It turns out to have been a big misunderstanding, but added to the prank-friendly persona of the rocker—one that jibes well with a fake State Department mission. Either way, some of Andrew W.K.’s other Twitter advice would be well-taken by people all over the world. For example: --- > “” --- --- > “” --- --- > “” --- Now that’s a cultural message we can all get behind. (**MORE**: [As Protests Continue to Flare, Should Formula One Be Returning to Bahrain?](http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/04/17/as-protests-continue-to-flare-should-formula-one-be-returning-to-bahrain "undefined")) **UPDATE:** Well, that was fun while it lasted. --- > “” --- But, on the other hand, it was real! [_Salon_ spoke to a State Department rep](http://www.salon.com/2012/11/26/party%5Fking%5Fandrew%5Fw%5Fk%5Fs%5Fun%5Finvitation/ "undefined") who went on the record about the rocker’s trip to the embassy in Bahrain—and its subsequent cancellation. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/archive/7120539/will-andrew-w-k-really-visit-middle-east-on-behalf-of-partying-and-state-department/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/archive/7120539/will-andrew-w-k-really-visit-middle-east-on-behalf-of-partying-and-state-department/"},"headline":"Will Andrew W.K. 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