Pterodactyl would like to thank, in no particular order: our Mothers and Fathers, Sam H, Duncan G, Gina Marie S, Colin C, Mike M, Jonathan F, Jessica L, John H, BJ W, Dan F, Daniel M, Kim D, Darius Van A, the Brothers Eric & Josh T, Greg S & R W S, Todd B, Eric S, Eve E, Greg G, Andrew S, Jesse H, Molly S, Jamie P, Kid M, Fat B, Baby J, Todd Patrick, Ben R, Marcelle P, Sabine R, Juliet G, Bryan R, Rachel S, Niles C, Mike S, Eve E, Jacob S, Robert P, Jesse J, Robert C, Emily M, JJ J, Molly M, Dean B, Jacob M, Neil F, Doug M, Mike G, Vladimir M, Ian V, Kathy B & John M, Mike R & Jill S, National Car Rentals, Harry, Ant, & the cop in Iowa who gave us a 5 mph over speeding ticket even though we were going 18 mph over.
And we're in love with Cardboard Records, Brah Records, Parts & Labor, Oneida, Ex-Models, Battleship, the Seconds, Marnie Stern, Deerhunter, Dynamite Arrows, Blood on the Wall, Best Fwends, Matt & Kim, the Good Good, Voltage, the Country Teasers, Christy & Emily, the Mae Shi, the Apes, Gowns, Numbers, Knyfe Hyts, Neptune, Professor Murder, Japanther, Tiny Hawks, the Dakota Building, the Everlasting Arms, Gone Dead Train, & the First Lady of Cuntry and the Cunts. Of course, there are others too.
Here's what different people have to say about Pterodactyl:
We were one of Dusted Magazine's "Destined" in 2007. (Previous "Destined" bands include DMBQ, Parts & Labor, Lavender Diamond, and Magik Markers.) Here's an exerpt from the article:
"Most could qualify the barrage of noise kicked up on "Blue Jay" as just that, but now it's pinned down in a concentrated, crystalline lattice of exacting rhythmic pulsebeats, jarring string-shred, and what some might consider an architectural commitment to linear rock enormity. The songs here stand tall, blocking out the sun with repetitive, frantic, yet even gestures, chroming up the specifically-tuned jaggedness of Glenn Branca or Rhys Chatham with precision and bounce, and providing the scientific counterpoint to clinically uneven noise outfits such as Lightning Bolt, even proving able to step outside their cultural frame of reference with chromatically-scaled, Eastern-flavored exercises."
-Doug Mosurak, Dusted
"On 'Safe Like a Train,' the three churn out a mesmerizing midtempo grind, but their voices seem to accompany a different, dreamy pop song; only toward the end of the track do they turn their attention to their own music, swooping in and out of the steadily pulsing rhythms. Equally arresting is the sound of the record itself: Guitar, bass, drums and sampler, all crackle with a fresh, almost spontaneous energy, creating a never-resolved tension with the music's precise composition."
- Mike Wolf, Time Out New York
"It's like Deerhoof without an epilectic Japanese pygmy vocalist and with more scuzz. I know that it sounds like it wouldn't work but this is great to put on when you're in a bad mood and want to be in an even work one." -Vice Magazine
"A 20-minute Dungen song deserved its 10-minute flute solo. The unknown Pterodactyl repeated the same climactic six-note riff for six minutes. This was so much better than that flute solo." -Robert Christgau, The Village Voice
(Christgau thinks that Pterodactyl has a nice tail end.)
Here's what the internet came up with as a translation for a French review:
"It is the kind of opera hat as one takes two or three of them per annum. Not more... The music of Pterodactyl is based on a dialogue of the deaf enters, on a side, noisy guitars with possible, choked cries and torn punk rates/rhythms and, other, a surprisingly pop song and a sample of Ci from there. The its General slices like an old knife badly sharpened with the covered blade of rust. The wound is open but the scar will not be pretty pretty... This first album of Pterodactyl is attractive first at the last second: that plays quickly, that plays extremely and that plays just."
New Kicks on the Blog
"Most of the songs on Pterodactyl taste like paint thinner."
-James Tennant, MonkeyBiz
"Pterodactyl requires the use of serious narcotics for even remote enjoyment and fails indubitably as music.
-James Mitchell, Broken Dial
"Hyper-rhythmic, skull-cracking hard post-punk trio, playing with laser-guided precision, telegraphing impossible changes, it's as if someone plugged these guys into the nearest available wall socket and flipped the on switch. Lightning Bolt is somewhat of an apt comparison, though they don't waste time with jamming. Les Savy Fav might be too, if that band was as good as people think they are. This is a different beast, on their way to forming an original and completely engrossing sound on their own. It's heavy and brilliant too, if that helps."
-Doug Mosurak, Dusted
Doug On the I Can See a River 7" EP:
"...for God's sake, somebody get this band into a real studio next time."
"One of NYCs most underrated bands. They take the sounds of Unwound/Sonic Youth/Wire etc.. And add a little post punk (but not enough to make you cringe) to the mix as well."
-Mike Simonetti, Troubleman Unlimited Records
"Pterodactyl sustain a contagious recklessness aboveground and all around... Their convulsive, screaming tracks warrant nothing less than full submission."
-Eve Eckman, San Francisco Guardian
Special Notes for Special Reading and the Pterodactyl Tour Diary:
Wednesday, January 2, 2008: Brooklyn, NY
Who knew?
Sunday, September 16, 2007: Brooklyn, NY
Sometimes when animals get together to have a good time it turns into a really good time:
Monday, August 6, 2007: Phoenix, AZ
A steady diet of cheeseburgers across the northern US turned into a steady diet of burritos in calfornia. The southern california method of filling the burrito with mostly meat is delicious, yes, but the northern california rice and beans method makes for a more subtle flavor experience. Thanks to san francisco and the hemlock, for so consistently being so wonderful to pterodactyl.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007: Minneapolis, MN
Good luck for pterodactyl means having car troubles at a convenient time... We've had a wonderful time in Minneapolis wandering around swimming in lakes while our vehicle is getting its brake fluid hose replaced and oxygen sensors are being replaced. You go on tour with the vehicle you have, not the vehicle you want to have.
Friday, July 20, 2007: Columbus, OH
Finally on tour again! The Death Set and Ponytail were radical in Pittsburgh... makes us sad to miss the Baltimore celebration going on back there AT THIS MOMENT!! Thanks to Marty and Oliver for entertaining us with father-son antics. Thanks to the beachland for delicious nachos and bleu cheese burgers and Team R. and the Jerk for a sweet show. Hold on... why haven't we gone swimming yet?! This is shameful.
Thursday, July 5, 2007: Brooklyn, NY
What a f-ing fantastic July 4th celebration we all experienced today! The whole thing raised something like $2500 for the ACS, and everyone was on. Who's going to take on the job of putting together a third annual July 4th benefit in 2008? What could be better than rock and rolling all day long to celebrate your interdependence?!?! Thanks an enormous amount to Oliver and Ian and Todd, everyone who played and everyone who donated money. By the way, Pterodactyl lost a red sweatshirt with blue writing that says "Ravinia" so if you see someone wearing it politely ask them to remove the stolen sweatshirt.
Sunday, May 6, 2007: Brooklyn, NY
Thanks so very much to Ben P, Mike G, Mike M, Annegret F, Ben R, and Robert P for helping us finish shooting our video for polio. We invited our friends to a fun bbq and then tried to get them all to leave the bbq and ride bicycles around while we rolled a wheel at their ankles. The video should be done soon! Stay alert!
Friday, March 23, 2007: Brooklyn, NY
We played four-strong last night for the first time, to prepare for tomorrow's record release party. It feels a little like watching humpback whale rise above the surface of the ocean at sunset to take a fresh breath. Magnificent!
Monday, February 12, 2007: Brooklyn, NY
Big weekend! The first Pterodactyl show in six months (with Girl Talk, Parts & Labor, and Hearts of Darknesses) went exceedingly well! Here's a quote from a blog called Good Weather for Airstrikes!: "After waiting in line forever in the freezing cold on the ONE FUCKING NIGHT I forgot my scarf and gloves, we were finally admitted, only to have to wait through two interminable, nigh-unbearable noise rock sets from Hearts of Darknesses and Pterodactyl, if you must know. I'll admit that I'm not the biggest fan of noise rock, but the two opening bands seemed to subject the audience to nothing more than aural torture." Hurray for aural torture!
Thursday, January 4, 2007: Brooklyn, NY
So we've finally got all the art and preparations done for both the CD (Brah Records) and LP (Cardboard Records) release of Blue Jay. To clear up any confusion, the record doesn't actually say "Blue Jay" on the spine, so they can't print the title as "Blue Jay" anywhere. But you'll know it when you see it because it's got blue jays on it. So until April 10th or whatever it is, you'll just have to be content playing that "I Can See a River" 7" over and over again until your ears bleed. Speaking of which, we finally got the second installment of covers for this record, so when Cardboard Records and Pterodactyl get around to having a scoring, cutting, and folding party we'll have some more of those available.
Thursday, August 31, 2006: Brooklyn, NY
We just got our first listen to a sweet, sweet tape compilation put out by the folks at Not Not Fun Records. It features a totally original Pterodactyl song that we're very proud of, and sweet tracks by 17 other sweet bands. It's only $6 or $7, depending on which sweet packaging you want. And check out the rest of the nnf catalog while you're at it. It's sweet.
Wednesday, July 5, 2006: Brooklyn, NY
A week of great shows with Battleship on the east coast has come to a close with an amazingly successful July 4th benefit for Common Ground, featuring Japanther, Parts & Labor, Matt & Kim, Battleship, Knyfe Hyts, The Death Set, and Necking. Thanks to all the folks at 330 Melrose and Union Docs for working so hard to make such a great event work out so well. The whole show made over $3,600 for the benefit. The check got sent out this morning. Now it's time to bring Battle-Dactyl to the west coast. Stay alert.
Saturday, June 10, 2006: Brooklyn, NY
Well, it's finally happened! We finally got called "Very Bad" and we're very excited about it!!! We've been working so hard for this all these years, and now the moment is finally here!! We'd like to thank our parents... Here it is: Very Bad
Tuesday, May 30, 2006: Brooklyn, NY
Thanks to everyone who came out to the Memorial Day BBQ at Goodbye Blue Monday. It really was a great day from beginning to end, nice and relaxed. Special thanks to Todd P for all his help with the PA and sound. Todd not only agreed to let us use his own personal PA on very short notice, he came early to the show with us and helped put the thing together. Very special thanks to Steve at Goodbye Blue Monday, who provided food and free beer, and a place for everyone to spend such a great Memorial Day. We couldn't have done it without him.
In other news, we go back into The Brothers Studio next week to start round two of recording our brand new record to be released in the fall. Everything sounds great so far, and we're looking forward to finishing the thing and setting it free into the world. Be ready!
Friday, March 10, 2006: Brooklyn, NY
Explosive Cardboard Records celebration tonight! CB Recs is three for three with great releases, quite a batting average. We just finished round one of recording the songs that will be our first full length. Working with The Brothers Studio has been fantastic. We're very excited about the songs, and looking forward to getting in there again to finish it up. By the way, we're in the market for another label to call home, so feel free to get in touch with us if you have suggestions. And if you're planning on being down in Austin for SXSW, we'll be there too...
Tuesday, October 25, 2005: Brooklyn, NY
Good luck to Ex-Models on their big tour. We had a great time at the record release show. If you haven't heard our new record, you can get it from us, or from Cardboard Records. People like it. You'll like it.
Friday, September 2, 2005: Brooklyn, NY
We just finished a tour... remarkable at some spots and at spots not so remarkable. Hayward, CA? Very remarkable. After waiting 6 days for 3 different mechanics to tell us that they could not diagnose our van troubles, we were forced to scrap poor, sweet Chicken Biscuit and rent a Dodge Grand Caravan to get back home. Those molesters at the scrap hard picked her up 10 feet in the air with a forklift and drove her into their graveyard of abused children. We have video to prove it... So we're very sorry to have missed Portland, Seattle, Olympia, Missoula, and Minneapolis, but we'll be back.
Sunday, March 20, 2005: Brooklyn, NY
Catastrophic problems! Joe took his red jazzmaster-like guitar to be fixed and now he's lost access to all his important sounds! Some sounds have been recovered but other are still at large. If you know a guitar fix-it person who knows the ins and outs of those finicky sounds behind the bridge, let us know! The future of pterodactyl is in your hands.
Thursday, January 6, 2005: Brooklyn, NY
Hi. We're writing some new songs and assembling a fantastic record. Look on the songs page for new demo-like songs once we're done recording them.
Friday, December 3, 2004: Brooklyn, NY
Philly, Cleveland, Chicago... get ready for the Parts&dactyl explosion that will be rolling through your town December 16th, 17th, and 18th. But aside from the tour out to Chicago and a few NY things here and there, there likely won't be too many shows popping up in the next months. Don't worry, it's for the best... Pterodactyl's gonna write a record, see? And yes, Pterodactyl does feel shitty about the reelection of our shitty, shitty president. It's terrible.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004: Brooklyn, NY
Pterodactyl apologizes for the lack of updates in the Pterodactyl website. We've been having technical difficulties, and we guarantee that this is worse for us than it is for you. But we thought it important to mention that we're planning a non-Pterodactyl related trip to Ohio, in order to assist in "Get Out The Vote" campaigns in Cleveland. As it turns out, we'll also be playing a show in Oberlin with Gravy Train!!! on the night before the election, drumming up support for help in keeping the polls fair (and full of Kerry supporters) throughout northeast Ohio.
Meanwhile, in Boston, MA with our pirate friends The William Young, the Pterodactyl van has its New York license plates ripped off by maniacal RedSox fans celebrating until they die (peacefully after 86 years). So that's why we've got that pimped out chain around our rear plate. Go RedSox!
Saturday, August 28, 2004: Brooklyn, NY
Back home again, eagerly awaiting the arrival of scads of of republican party affiliates... Thanks to Atlanta's open-micish Baller's Club, Chapel Hill's Boner Machine, and Staunton, VA's Gone Dead Train (featuring ex-members of the goddamn Union of a Man and a Woman!) for making the end of the tour an exciting end. Thanks to folks at home for making our homecoming so tender.
Monday, August 23, 2004: toward Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX spoils us with royal treatment like we've never experienced before. Thank you, Rancho Relaxo, you are kind folks. The Texas Memorial Museum in Austin is home to the fossil remains of the Texas Pterosaur, the largest flying animal ever known to have existed. We pay a visit. Local bands drop off of the bill at every stop on our bloody trail through the south, fleeing in terror at the sight of the shadow of Pterodactyl descending upon their town. Santa Fe, Fort Worth, New Orleans, Nashville, Atlanta, only a very few live to tell about the shows they saw. Fortunately, many locals have been warned beforehand, and stay home to protect their loved ones. Sheesh! Maybe it'll be nice to get back home to smelly Brooklyn after all.
Wednesday, August 19, 2004: Santa Fe, NM
LA, CA... what hospitality. Three nights and two days make one 60-hour long party that included an (almost) acoustic performance of oldies cover songs, a trip to Leo's taco truck, two loads of laundry, nighttime swimming in a public pool, a tea party (crackers, cake, archery and funny hats), some hamburgers, and two LA rock shows. Pterodactyl camps out in Williams, AZ and meets a Navajo construction worker named Bruce who trades his hot dogs for our beer and tells us about his many brothers who have done different things and died doing different things...
Saturday, August 14, 2004: San Francisco, CA
Pterodactyl would like to point out that recordpressing.com is quite unreliable.com, so stay away from them if you can... We finally got our records and they sound wonderful, but they arrived too late for us to pick 'em up in SF, they didn't give us our goddamn plastic bags for records, they charged Duncan $21 for something mysterious and this is a crock of shit. There were quite a few times when a simple phone call would've been extremely helpful, but recordpressing.com chose not to call. Otherwise, things are going quite well. We got through the border into and out of Vancouver quite quite smoothly, and tore apart a number of towns along the way. Olympia has delicious water, mike's tavern in vancouver is surrounded by the living dead, and seattle's got an erection for pterodactyl. The show in Davis was one kid's first show ever, so he became the first person to buy a pterodactyl 7" ever. Off to LA... thanks, Eve, for breakfast.
Monday, August 10, 2004: Portland, OR
Chicago to San Fransisco in 36 hours, and successful shows in San Fransisco, Oakland, and Portland. Oneida and Numbers are the kindest people on earth... Joe ate a delicious burrito and everyone (miraculously) avoided getting poison oak in Berkeley looking for a swimming hole with Duncan. Kurt says he's very sensitive to poison oak. Matt found a deer tick on his arm, so we'll watch out for lyme disease. Stay tuned for updates on Pterodactyl's collective health.
Monday, August 3, 2004: Chicago, IL
Played on the radio at WOBC in Oberlin, OH. Check out the /songs.html page to listen to the broadcast. Pictures will come soon. Our van can hold eleven people, and nighttime swimming is worth being eaten by bugs. Unfortunately, we were not able to paint a pterodactyl on the side of the van just yet, because it has to be so enormous, but it'll come around sooner or later.
Saturday, July 31, 2004
The finishing touches on the tour (but not the van... yet) are basically done, so check the /shows.html page to see when pterodactyl will be playing where. Alert your friends! The cover of the record has been printed but not yet folded. This is a job for the 50 hours in the car from NY to San Fransisco. Thanks for coming to the fearsome foursome breaker! breaker!/pterodactyl show on wednesday. It was the best going away party a band could ever ask for. (And the $4 you donated for gas money will at least help us get across the williamsburg bridge.)
Sunday, July 18, 2004
We played a show with oneida and the ex-models yesterday (and it was the best time we've had in a long time) but we forgot to ask friends to take pictures of ourselves, so we've got nothing to show you. If you have any pictures from the show or know anyone who has them, please get in touch with us. We'll be very grateful.
Monday, July 5, 2004
We just bought a beautiful, grey 1994 Dodge Ram to take across the country and back in August on a big tour of the States of America. The top's quite rusty, but after a few hours with some sandpaper and some nice silver spray paint (like the roof of an apartment, to keep the heat out) it'll be amazing. Look for the van with the pterodactyls painted on the front (...and the back, and the side). Spot us and flag us down and we'll give you a punch in the nose (or some other nice gift).
Hatelist: recordpressing.com, pepboys, american tire depot