- Ponytail (band)
-
Ponytail Origin Baltimore, Maryland, United States Genres Art rock
Surf rock
Noise popYears active 2005-2011 Labels We Are Free
Creative Capitalism
Monitor RecordsMembers Dustin Wong
Jeremy Hyman
Ken Seeno
Molly SiegelPast members Michael Petruzzo Ponytail was a 4-piece art rock band formed in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, on the label We Are Free. Their sound has been compared to Deerhoof as well as Ecstatic Sunshine, since Dustin Wong was a founder of that band, and due to the band's experimental guitar work and unique vocal stylings.[1][2] The band has toured internationally, with bands such as Battles, Hella, Don Caballero, High Places and others.[3] They have released three albums, Kamehameha, Ice Cream Spiritual, and Do Whatever You Want All The Time. They were named "Best Live Band" by Baltimore City Paper in September 2007[4] and "Best Band" in September 2008[5]
Contents
History
In January 2005, the band came together originally as a 5-piece, incorporating Wong, Hyman, Seeno, Siegel and Petruzzo. Wong also started the guitar duo Ecstatic Sunshine around the same time with guitar player Matt Papich. With 'pop music' as an intended destination,[6] Ponytail began practicing together, with Petruzzo leaving in December 2006. Since this time, the band has played without a keyboardist, thus emphasizing guitar work, leading to generally positive reviews.[7] In November 2006, the band released their debut album Kamehameha on the record label Creative Capitalism.
Kamehameha was released in vinyl on Friday, April 17, 2009, on Portland, Oregon-based label Gaarden Records.
After the Jump Fest, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY 6/21/08 . Photo by Bob Sanderson
In mid-June 2008, Ponytail released their second full-length, Ice Cream Spiritual to positive reviews.[8] The band has been praised for their energetic, 'sugar-rush type' performances by BBC as well as Pitchfork Media.[9]. Wong left Ecstatic Sunshine in 2009 to fully focus on Ponytail. The band toured internationally throughout Europe, USA, Australia, and New Zealand in promotion of their latest record. The band was also chosen by Matt Groening to perform at the edition of the All Tomorrow's Parties festival which he curated in May 2010 in Minehead, England. Ponytail went on hiatus in August 2010. Wong published a solo-album Infinite Love in October 2010. A 40-minute piece cut into 15 tracks and then re-done on a 2nd CD. This instrumental release appeared on Thrill Jockey.[10] The cover art that was designed by Yamantaka Eye of the Japanese rock band Boredoms. Afterwards Wong went on tour in the US and Europe. Although Dustin Wong had announced that Whartscape 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland would be their last show, a new album was announced. The band released their third full-length album, titled Do Whatever You Want All The Time, in April 2011. The band officially broke up on September 22, 2011[11].
Discography
Ponytail
Albums
- Kamehameha (We Are Free, November 22, 2006)
- Ice Cream Spiritual (We Are Free, June 17, 2008)
- Do Whatever You Want All The Time (We Are Free, April 12, 2011)[12]
Singles
- Celebrate the Body Electric (It Came from An Angel) (We Are Free. April 29, 2008)
Ecstatic Sunshine
Albums
- New Kind of Imagination, 2004
- Freckle Wars, 2006, Carpark Records
- Way, May 14, 2008, Cardboard Records, Grayson Currin[13]
- Yesterday's Work, Hoss Records
EPs
- Living, 2007, Non EMI
Singles
- The Turned On, 2009 Hoss Records
- Freak Flag
Dustin Wong
- Seasons, LP
- Let it Go, cassette, WTRCL
- Infinite Love (Thrill Jockey, Oct 2010)
External links
References
- ^ Cat Dirt Sez, catdirtsez.blogspot.com/, contains review of band, as well as information on formation and history, retrieved 16 August 2008.
- ^ allmusic Biography allmusic.com/, written biography of Ponytail, retrieved 19 August 2008.
- ^ Ponytail Myspace Page, myspace.com/, contains band-member-written information, retrieved 19 August 2008.
- ^ "Best Live Band: Ponytail", Baltimore City Paper, 2007-09-19, http://www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=14436
- ^ "Best Band: Ponytail", Baltimore City Paper, 2008-09-17, http://www.citypaper.com/bob/story.asp?id=16649
- ^ Myspace.com myspace.com/ brief walk-through of band history, retrieved 19 August 2008
- ^ Chimpomatic Review, chimpomatic.com/, review of Ponytail by author Harris Pilton, retrieved 19 August 2008
- ^ Pitchfork Review of ICS, pitchforkmedia.com/ review of Ice Cream Spiritual and information on Ponytail, retrieved 16 August 2008.
- ^ BBC Review, bbc.co.uk/, gives a thorough review of Ice Cream Spiritual, retrieved 19 August 2008.
- ^ http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/14802-infinite-love/
- ^ http://pitchforkmedia.com/news/44072-ponytail-break-up/
- ^ http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2011/03/ponytail_has_no.html
- ^ http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11495-way/
Categories:- Musical groups established in 2005
- Musical groups disestablished in 2010
- Musical groups from Baltimore, Maryland
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
