Andrew Mrotek
Encyclopedia
Andrew Bishop Mrotek (born July 4, 1983) is a musician
and former drummer
, and backup vocalist for the rock band The Academy Is...
. He has a twin brother.
Born and raised on Milwaukee's south side, Andy attended Elm Elementary School and then Roosevelt Middle School. Mrotek graduated from Milwaukee High School of the Arts
in 2001 while drumming for a band called Last Place Champs. The High School of the Arts split students in classes for their artistic talent, Andy's was visual art. A self portrait of Andy still hangs outside his art classroom doors. During high school, "The Butcher", worked at a McDonald's
in his neighborhood. "The Butcher" nickname comes from his next job as a butcher at his neighborhood supermarket Pick N' Save, which he worked after graduation. Ironically, he did become a vegetarian after this. Though, after he contracted mono he was forced to end his vegetarianism. He is currently not a vegetarian.
In 2004 Andy Mrotek replaced former The Academy Is... drummer DelPrincipe. After the band's debut album was released they toured with Fall Out Boy
. Being a graphic artist, Mrotek designed, sketched and painted all of the posters for the Sleeping With Giants tour. He also designed his own drum kit for the tour.
Andy has a full sleeve tattoo featuring images such as an elephant, a tree, and a picture of nils on his right arm; he sports a Native American art influenced chest piece of a bird, and his back down to the upper thigh is entirely covered by a tattoo of a koi fish. Both the top of his left and right feet feature tattoos of an owl. He is currently living in New York.
Mrotek has a walk-on role in Cobra Starship's music video for "Good Girls Go Bad"
Andy has also started a solo project (The Animal Upstairs) He started this in the summer of 2009 when he went to Jersey tracking some drumming he had been working on. His songs are memories and dreams he has. He as recently completed and released the final version of his debut album Is Anybody Upstairs? on his bandcamp.
Andrew plays SJC Drums, Sabian cymbals, Pro-Mark Drum Sticks, and DW hardware
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and former drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, and backup vocalist for the rock band The Academy Is...
The Academy Is...
The Academy Is... was an American rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2003. Before dispersing, they were signed by the Decaydance imprint of the Fueled by Ramen label. They were originally known as "The Academy", but added the "Is..." in 2004 to avoid legal complications with other...
. He has a twin brother.
Born and raised on Milwaukee's south side, Andy attended Elm Elementary School and then Roosevelt Middle School. Mrotek graduated from Milwaukee High School of the Arts
Milwaukee High School of the Arts
Established in 1984, Milwaukee High School of the Arts , formerly West Division Sr. High School, is a high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It is a part of the Milwaukee Public Schools system. It specializes in preparation for a profession in the arts.Students receive a minimum of two hours in...
in 2001 while drumming for a band called Last Place Champs. The High School of the Arts split students in classes for their artistic talent, Andy's was visual art. A self portrait of Andy still hangs outside his art classroom doors. During high school, "The Butcher", worked at a McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
in his neighborhood. "The Butcher" nickname comes from his next job as a butcher at his neighborhood supermarket Pick N' Save, which he worked after graduation. Ironically, he did become a vegetarian after this. Though, after he contracted mono he was forced to end his vegetarianism. He is currently not a vegetarian.
In 2004 Andy Mrotek replaced former The Academy Is... drummer DelPrincipe. After the band's debut album was released they toured with Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois, formed in 2001. The band consists of vocalist, guitarist and composer Patrick Stump, bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz, guitarist Joe Trohman, and drummer Andy Hurley. The band released five studio albums from 2003–2008...
. Being a graphic artist, Mrotek designed, sketched and painted all of the posters for the Sleeping With Giants tour. He also designed his own drum kit for the tour.
Andy has a full sleeve tattoo featuring images such as an elephant, a tree, and a picture of nils on his right arm; he sports a Native American art influenced chest piece of a bird, and his back down to the upper thigh is entirely covered by a tattoo of a koi fish. Both the top of his left and right feet feature tattoos of an owl. He is currently living in New York.
Mrotek has a walk-on role in Cobra Starship's music video for "Good Girls Go Bad"
Andy has also started a solo project (The Animal Upstairs) He started this in the summer of 2009 when he went to Jersey tracking some drumming he had been working on. His songs are memories and dreams he has. He as recently completed and released the final version of his debut album Is Anybody Upstairs? on his bandcamp.
Andrew plays SJC Drums, Sabian cymbals, Pro-Mark Drum Sticks, and DW hardware