The Sunset Strip is a long way from the balmy beaches of a sleepy Australian city, but that is where you'll find the new kid on the block: Andy The Kid. From dingy Queensland pubs to the bright lights of Hollywood, ATK has spent decades honing his craft, which will culminate in the 2015 release of his debut solo album. The Aussie native moved to Los Angeles in early 2008 with a suitcase, a bass guitar, and big dreams. After joining Orange County outfit Neo Geo in '08, ATK performed across several states on the '10 and '11 Vans Warped Tour and recorded an album before leaving the band in 2012. The shift allowed him to focus on writing, recording and performing with another band he had joined in 2010 – Hollywood metal outfit We Are The Riot – as well as touring with Static-X in 2012. The Static-X shows led to ATK playing bass for founding member Wayne Static in '13 and '14, when he took his career solo. These shows led to yet another American tour, this time filling in for Chicago natives D**e. WATR has started recording a new album with Ulrich Wild (Pantera, Static-X, Dethklok, Deftones) but with band mates Meegs Rascon and Mikal Cox also busy working on the new Coal Chamber record, Andy The Kid has branched out, writing and recording his solo debut. “WATR is still my priority and focus, however with the boys doing Coal Chamber, the Andy The Kid record gives me a project that is uniquely mine,” he said. “I'm taking a DJ approach to the record by writing everything, then pulling in my favourite producers and musicians to perform. “It's going to be a real eclectic blend of songs, with more of a rock focus than a metal one.” www.AndyTheKid.com