Andrew W.K. and Nardwuar the Human Serviette may seem like an unlikely duo to some — one is a hard-core partier and motivational speaker, while the other is a freakishly well researched, quick-witted interviewer. However, the two are not only friends, but also co-workers. So how did these two come together?

“I first saw a picture of [Andrew W.K.] on the New Music Express, his face was covered in blood,” Nardwuar told The Peak. “I read a bit more about him and I found out he was coming to Vancouver . . . I wanted to do an interview with him, but believe it or not I wasn’t allowed! The record label didn’t think it would be appropriate, which is kind of weird considering how everything has turned out.”

As Andrew W.K. got bigger and bigger, Nardwuar eventually had his second chance. When asked how they came to work together musically, he explained that his next interview attempt was approved and the two became friends. “I kept in contact with him. He actually kept in contact with me, I was surprised because I sent out a few ‘spam’ emails and he actually responded! So I was thinking of doing a 7” and I thought, why don’t I ask Andrew W.K., he actually responds to my emails!”

Andrew W.K. describes their collaboration as a chance to come full circle. “When I first saw Nardwuar’s interviews 12 or 13 years ago they pretty much blew my mind. They had a huge impact on me, I can’t overstate that. I became a huge fan. It was a real mark in the path of my career when I got to be interviewed by him. He’s as good as it gets. He invited me to play at a Christmas party with him and invited me to be on this split 7”. It was a very easy choice for me because I really believe in him, admire him and really like him as a performer. He’s completely unique . . . he’s ahead of his time.”

Nardwuar’s band, The Evaporators, and Andrew W.K. of hard partying fame have teamed up in a 7” aptly named A Wild Pear. While the name may seem unusual, it is one of many tributes The Evaporators and Andrew W.K. are paying to Canadian classics. “It is actually modeled after a 1967 album put out by the Guess Who and the Staccatos,” Nardwuar explained to The Peak, “These two Canadian bands had a split album, with the Guess Who on one side and the Staccatos on the other. It was called A Wild Pair, and on the cover there was a picture of a pear. So I thought why not call it A Wild Pear and really have the pair represented because we’re calling it a pear and we could each do two songs. So it was a complete homage.”

Available on vinyl, CD, or through iTunes, the 7” was released Tuesday, June 23, to a crowd of rockers, partiers, children, and parents at Neptoon Records in a free all ages show. The highly anticipated split album covers several Canadian indie rock classics: The Evaporators covering “Oh Non” by Montreal’s Les Hou-Lops and Andrew W.K. reworking The Subhuman’s “Oh Canaduh” and The Leather Upper’s “Don’t Sell Hot Dogs Tonight.” Nardwuar justifies his cover choices, saying, “I remembered from when I interviewed Andrew W.K. that he loved the Leather Uppers from Toronto. So after I emailed him about the 7” I thought why don’t you cover the Leather Uppers? And he was totally down with it.”

Having grown up listening to the Leather Uppers, Andrew W.K. describes covering them as a dream. “There were many pieces connecting this to other significant parts of my life,” he said, “when these opportunities come up this way I try to acknowledge them and respect them.. Maybe dreams I have right now will manifest because I’m paying respect to the dreams that have come true so far . . . . Living out this dream of recording their song is nurturing the child in me that still exists from 15 years ago. We’re always changing, but there are versions of us that still exist. We can all relate to reconnecting with other versions of us that existed at a different time. Maybe it is true that time doesn’t pass in a linear fashion, that everything is happening at all times in various different states of variety or parallel universes. If that’s the case than it makes perfect sense to want to do this for the 15-year-old version of myself because that version still exists somewhere.”

The Evaporators side of the split includes an original song of theirs, “The Bombs in My Pants,” a toe-tapping instant classic you can’t help but sing along to. Altogether, the 7” features enjoyable and fun hits with the added bonus of a love for Canadian rock. Andrew W.K. has partially dedicated the album to Canada, as he has made his love for the country no secret. “I’m still new to the Canadian music scene,” he explained, “In fact, this is my first release on a Canadian Label. I love Canada very, very, very much. That’s another reason I wanted to be involved in all this. I’ve always gotten a good vibe from Canada. I’ll never be Canadian and I respect that, but I would love to be an honorary Canadian. I have to work my way up to that though, Nardwuar is helping me, he’s bringing me into the fold.”

A Wild Pear, apart from being good, clean fun, will bring a guaranteed tear to your eye thinking about your new found (or renewed) patriotism. Perfect for that party you were planning under the premise of Canada Day!