Some nights it's hard to choose what to do in this city, but I can't imagine a much harder choice than Lightning Bolt vs. Andrew W.K. It's a decision that hard partiers and heavy rockers will have to make Friday, April 6, when the two thundering monsters of awesome will be playing head to head at the Vera Project and Chop Suey, respectively. Lightning Bolt headline an all-ages show with Bug Sized Mind, A Pack of Wolves, Teeth and Hair, and Shearing Pinx, while Andrew W.K. will be making a "party appearance with live solo performance" at Sing Sing with guests Flosstradamus and resident DJs Fourcolorzack and Pretty Titty. Let's compare:

Noise Cred

Lightning Bolt hail from legendary Providence noise palace Fort Thunder, and they work with respected label Load Records. Andrew W.K. goes way back with the guys from Wolf Eyes and has family ties to Michigan's Hanson and Bulb Records (Lightning Bolt's Brian Chippendale has also recorded for Bulb, as one half of Mind Flayer). Advantage: Lightning Bolt.

Other Projects

Andrew W.K. has played with avant-garde ensemble To Live and Shave in L.A., and may or may not be part of some media hoax named Steev Mike. Lightning Bolt drummer Chippendale publishes comics, records solo as Black Pus, plays with Whitney Biennial noisester Matt Brinkman as Mind Flayer, and has contributed to the upcoming Björk album, Volta. Advantage: Lightning Bolt.

Party-Starting Prowess

At one of the crazier shows I've seen, Lightning Bolt started an impromptu block party in front of Seattle's No Space Gallery. The space was too small, so the band set up out front, blocking traffic and rocking at full volume on a usually sleepy stretch of Summit Avenue East. Eight cop cars came, and the band played on. Afterward, the cops just asked people to get on the sidewalks; nobody got busted. Andrew W.K. once showed up at a friend's apartment in the early a.m. after a long night of signing autographs, still ready to get the party started by doing headstands in the living room. Advantage: Andrew W.K.

Dedication to Fans

Andrew W.K. does the above-mentioned marathon fan meet and greets, gives motivational speeches, and once famously paid a Seattle fan's electric bill. Lightning Bolt occasionally update their website. Advantage: Andrew W.K.

Volume

Andrew W.K. can play as loud as a club's sound system (and sound guy) will allow, but he's also at their mercy. Lightning Bolt bring their own massive amplification, and Chippendale drums incredibly hard. Advantage: Tie.

Okay, so that doesn't help things any. The ideal situation would be for Andrew W.K. to play with Lightning Bolt as his backing band, preferably in the middle of a busy intersection. Of course, Vera shows tend to end before midnight, so you could conceivably see Lightning Bolt and still make it to Sing Sing in time to catch Andrew W.K.'s party appearance, if not his live solo performance (and Flosstradamus's DJ sets are pretty banging, too). It might be too much rock for your eardrums, but it's just too hard to choose. If there's ever a night to go harder than you can handle, this is it. Go see Lightning Bolt and Andrew W.K.recommended

egrandy@thestranger.com