Star Trek enthusiast. French toast man. Vocalist. Guitarist. Man of the keys. Old school wrassler!? This edition of Fistful of Questions goes out to Kris from the band AAWKS.
What is your full name?
My full name is Kristofer George Dzierzbicki
Do you have any aliases?
Sometimes I spell my name Krïss because it looks cool… my nickname in highschool was Sliz or Slizzard
If you had an alias what might it be?
Brad Pitt….Long Story
What bands are you actively involved with?
AAWKS, Nova Doll and I just joined an Alice in Chains cover band called Jar of Guys. It’s for a thing we do around here in our local scene called “666 Nights” which is 6 Bands that do 6 Songs for 6 Bucks. Sometimes there’s a theme like a soundtrack night or something but usually we just choose a band and cover 6 of their songs.
What was the first instrument that you played?
I played the trombone in the school band and also vocal choir when I was young.
Tell me about one of your first musical memories?
There’s old Super 8 film of me dancing on all fours to the Allman Brothers when I was around a year old and I clearly remember hearing the Steve Miller band’s Threshold on the radio in my parents basement when I was maybe 3 or 4 years old. I remember having a whole visual of a robot walking on an electric beach and wanting to hear it immediately again as soon as it finished.
I was in a band called the Magic Elevator with my buddy Ian Ross. We changed our name to The Current at some point. We did a lot of classic rock covers and some originals kind of in the style of early Santana meets Zeppelin and Sabbath and with a bunch of 90’s influences as well.
Tell me about the genesis of AAWKS.
I’d moved back to Ontario from British Columbia back around 2008 after my daughter was born and wanted to form a band to play some songs I’d written. It wasn’t until 2014 that my old friend Roberto ‘Paraíso’ and I started jamming with a drummer on some trashy, garage/psych songs in the vein of Coachwhips or early Ty Segall. We played one show before the drummer skipped town after telling me he hated the songs we’d written. Fortunately, he left his kit in my basement. I was dating our drummer Randy for a while (before she ever picked up a set of drumsticks) and convinced her to give the drums a try. She was a bit nervous at first but picked them up pretty quickly and we soon started writing heavier and heavier songs and playing more and more shows. Around 2021 we met Ryan Hilton from Black Throne Productions and things really took off after that.
What inspired the name AAWKS?
I used to have a recurring nightmare as a child where I was visited by a clown that would enter my room, pick me up out of bed and throw me through the hallways of our house. During the nightmare I would be completely paralyzed and full of dread. The clown would sometimes scream what sounded like “AAAWWKS” and it was terrifying.
How long did it take you to write and record On Through The Sky Maze?
On Through The Sky Maze took about a year and a half to write. The main parts of the songs were recorded live off the floor in May of 2024 at Thread Junction Studios over two days and then we had a few more sessions for overdubs and some guest solos. The mixing was a bit delayed but took place between the fall of 2024 and early 2025.
If you could insert yourself into any one band what band would it be and why?
Damn! Great question… I suppose selfishly it would have to be early Sabbath so that I could be part of playing those songs with those guys, though I wouldn’t want to mess up their chemistry. I think early, pre-Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd would be pretty great. The songs were looser and heavier in a way and more psychedelic. I think maybe I could have contributed something to their early sound without completely ruining their magic.
Have you ever heard a song and immediately wished you had written it? If so… What was the song and artist?
So many songs… entire albums really. Besides all the obvious Sabbath stuff. There’s an Australian band called O.R.B that has some killer, extremely well written songs with really great riffs that fit together perfectly on their first few albums. Jeff the Brotherhood’s album Magick Songs is a special one for me. That Black Mountain song Druganaut is pretty wicked and is Sleep’s Dragonaut… Hell’s Wanderingsoul. The list is endless really.
Absolutely! We’re big fan of all sorts of sounds. Our tour van playlist gets pretty whacky. We’ll go from old country like the Carter Family or the Stanley Brothers to Public Enemy, EPMD, Gang Starr…a ton of old prog bands, some underground 70’s hard rock like Wicked Lady or Atomic Rooster. Randy is a big Hall and Oates and Salt N Peppa fan.
What’s a non-metal song that you'd like to do a cover of?
Anything by Curtis Mayfield….but that’s a challenge not to be messed with.
What band have you played with that has really impressed you with their live show?
We just played with some great bands from Quebec that blew our minds Kato, Riffchild, Mope… Cannabus always slays..Seum rules live. Black Absinthe is a killer live band. Overcrook and Loöse always rip. Our buddies in Indian Handcrafts always impress. Another great band from Montreal we played with called Doomsday Dementia were phenomenal. Man, there's a ton of great live bands in our scene.. Pyres, Mooch, Ol’Time Moonshine, Sun Below, Astral Witch, The Pale Horse Ritual….Too many to mention
Do you have a favorite venue to play at?
Our favourite venue was the Traxxide (R.I.P)… best vibes, definitely an unhinged dangerous feeling playing there and the crowds always had the best energy. The Bovine is always a great venue and kind of feels like home for us.
Do you have a pre-show ritual?
In the spirit of the ancient Haruspex, we usually sacrifice a goat and I remove its organs to decipher the divine messages that guide us forth. Oh, and a nap.
What is your favorite thing about touring?
I think for me it’s getting to play several shows in a row. We often play one or two and have a week or two break so getting to play multiple shows where we can feel like we really start to gel is a great feeling. I could play a show every day and not get sick of it. Sometimes the late nights and long drives get a little bit exhausting but I love every minute of it.
What is your least favorite thing about touring?
When I’m at home, I’m usually a creature of habit, especially with food. I think the thing I like most about touring is my diet getting out of whack. I’m a really shitty sleeper and I find that road food contributes to my insomnia.
Is there a city that you love to hit while on tour?
Montreal has always been really great to us! I love the vibe of Montreal… It’s definitely a different thing than any other city I’ve been to in Canada. I feel like every city in Quebec has a freer, more accepting thing where they celebrate people’s individuality and weirdness, and you can be who you are without having to worry about judgment.
What’s the weirdest experience you’ve had on the road?
It’s not overly weird but it keeps coming up in stories. We had an impromptu push up contest in front of a family restaurant outside of Sherbrooke Quebec. Why? Cause our Guitarist Roberto is just like that and we never back down. lol
The year is 2012. Where are you at and what are you listening to?
Working in Barrie and raising my young daughter. Pixies, Sonic Youth, Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath. Mix in 8 other genres and a plethora of soundscapes as I’m always listening and searching for sounds that inspire.
What advice would you give young musicians that are just starting out in the music business?
Be kind. Be considerate and feed your mind.
What is an absolute band killer?
Ego. A shitty attitude can ruin all the good.
Have you ever recorded a song that you really didn’t like, but somebody else in the band really did?
Yes. We work really hard and each member has their own listening styles that we’ve compromised on items and also with time constraints, once in a while, the finished product wasn’t my finished goal but yet it’s been so well received.
If you were to start your own music festival what would be the name of that festival and who would be the three headlining bands?
AAWKS Hawkins …. Like a sadie Hawkins but with bands. Mephistofeles, Sabbath and Pentagram to name a few.
What’s the longest time you’ve gone without bathing?
2 days max. Lol I cannot get over the sensory overload of feeling gross/grimey. Were probably the cleanest band in the scene, mainly due to our female drummer always planning out routes to include showers.
What’s one thing that most people don’t know about you?
I’m a RN working mental health outreach and it is my passion to provide help to those that need it most.
Is the Fistful of DOOM show in the top 10 of your favorite music podcasts?
Of course!!
Do unicorns sleep standing up?
Our drummer is a unicorn in disguise and I cannot comment on her sleeping styles but I would have to guess yes cause that horn… too magical to lay down.
Give me three albums that I should listen to immediately, if not sooner.
Seum/Temple of the Fuzz Witch - Conjuring
Grave Speaker - self titled
TO BE RELEASED Mooch - Kin (got an advanced listen)
You’re driving cross-country and you can only listen to one album the whole time. What album will it be?
Right now, going with Alice in chains. Either Facelift or Dirt
You are writing a book about your life thus far. What is the title of that book?
Everything matters but then you die so really nothing matters… Feed your mind
What is your favorite song by Taylor Swift?
Oh you know, that one…it goes you know …lalala..dodo…Wrong person to ask lol… I have no idea.
Sleep or High On Fire (if you had to choose)?
I think that really depends on the day for me. Did a couple sessions in a sensory deprivation tank a while back and Sleep’s Dope Smoker was amazing! If I’m doing something more active or driving, I’ll often choose HOF over Sleep but I love them both.
Doobies or Boobies (if you had to pick one)?
Boobies 100%! I can’t touch THC anymore. It makes me feel completely psychotic.
Waffles or Pancakes (if you had to pick one)?
I like both equally. I’m actually more of a French toast guy. Randy on the other hand is waffles hands down.
Star Wars or Star Trek (if you had to choose)?
Star Trek 100%… I love the aesthetic of early Star Wars, but I am a Star Trek guy without a doubt. I grew up on the original series and also watched a lot of the next generation and the series following.
Favorite band t-shirt you own?
Probably my Aiwass shirts…I feel like they make my guns looks bigger than they are.
Favorite meal?
Bacon Cheese Burger on a Pretzel Bun and a Greek Salad..unhealthy and healthy
Favorite book?
Too many to choose but I’d say Bukowski’s - Ham on Rye as the first one that comes to mind.
Favorite movie?
Right now I’m in a Horror phase so Midsommar, Mandy and Hereditary.
Favorite album?
Too many choices but let's go with the root of all Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
Favorite video game?
I avoid playing video games because I know I would get sucked in and addicted to it in no time. So I play online chess to de-stress from the work day and that is about it.
Favorite Professional Wrestler?
Gotta go with the classics. Junkyard Dog, The Iron Sheik, Roddy Piper and Jake the Snake Roberts
Massive thank you to Kris for taking the time to answer my questions (and for saying, “feed your brain.” That really resonates with me). I appreciate you doing so. As for the rest of you, please click on the link so generously provided below and immerse yourselves in the musical stylings of AAWKS. You will be eternally grateful that you did so.
~El Pedo Caliente (aka Uncle Jameson from the Fistful of DOOM show)
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