Andrew W.K., Bad Brilliance, Aleister X & Cherie Lily @ Santos Party House - pics (Adult Swim party)

by Andrew Frisicano

it's a pool toy

Andrew W.K. and friends launched the free, biweekly Adult Swim Presents Summer at Santos series with a party at the club on June 11th. The show featured sets from Andrew W.K.'s roster of Skyscaper Music Maker artists, including Cherie Lily, Bad Brilliance and Aleister X, all of which appear on that label's only release so far, DAMN! The Mixtape.

Cherie Lily opened the show promptly -- I missed her set, but she re-emerged throughout the night onstage and in the crowd. Next, Aleister X, a Brit goth one-man show, performed with Andrew W.K., who spun from the booth and sang backups.

Bad Brilliance rolled out a red carpet for his costumed spectacle, which featured members of the dance-pop band Tayisha Busay (pictured on stage with Cherie Lily, below) and others dancing in full '80s aerobics gear while photographers in formal dress (also part of the performance) snapped photos a la movie-opening paparazzi.

The synth-pop-punk of Natalie Portman's Shaved Head, the only band on the bill, was energetic and unhinged. It was during their set that the crowd got into stage-diving/manical dancing mode. More than a few showgoers backfliped into the crowd.

Last up, Andrew W.K. performed a set of party-rock singles with a backing track and occasional added piano. It became hard for him to even reach the keyboard though, when at least half of the crowd joined him on stage during the second song. Most stayed there for the rest of the set, which progressed with the house lights on. Cherie Lily hung out stage left contributing hypeman ad libs to songs like "Party Hard" and "I Love NYC." And she wasn't alone on the mic as Andrew passed it to friends (crowdmembers) on stage. Near the end of the night someone cracked open a foam-filled plush toy which was quickly disassembled and rained plastic snow on the departing crowd.

The Adult Swim series continues on June 25th with sets by Jon Glaser, The Woggles, Cheeseburger, A.C. Newman and more. That's the same night Santos hosts the Phenomenal Handclap Band CD release show.

Some of the night's performers, including Cherie Lily, Tayisha Busay and Aleister X, will be at the Studio at Webster Hall on Thursday, June 18th. Tickets are on sale.

Natalie Portman's Shaved Head play Santos again on Saturday, June 20th with Kittens Ablaze and Home Video. Tickets are on sale.

More pictures below...