Short Realistical Version: San Francisco's Pillow Pusher were originally formed in 2002 by Salad Von Baco, Ellard, and Poopy Lickles. Since then Pillow Pusher have been making original music that can be considered indie rock with an intentional touch of punk and an accidental touch of country. The lineup changed in December 2005 as Poopy quit the band and was replaced on bass by Car-L.  Pillow Pusher have released Malatesta! (2003) and Room 5 (2006)

Long Whimsical Version: Pillow Pusher's Salad Von Baco (guitar, vocals) and Poopy Lickles (bass, vocals) first met in middle school at the age of twelve in New Brunswick, Canada. A mutual love of music soon lead to the decision to form a band. A total lack of musical knowledge did not initially hinder the two, but homemade instruments of chick pea paste and cod bones proved ineffective.

After ironing out the kinks, Von Baco and Lickles began recording prolifically as an Alan Parsons Project cover band, but suffered a major setback after receiving a cease and desist order. Years of substance abuse and misguided sojourns into eastern mysticism followed until 2002 when Von Baco and Lickles met drummer Ellard while attending an aromatherapy convention in Sun City, South Africa. That night, in a nearby hotel room, this new trio excitedly composed thirty-seven songs for an elaborate concept album about the ylang ylang flower...which was later scrapped. They also came up with the name Pillow Pusher, but no one remembers why.  The album "Malatesta!" (named for legendary Portuguese underpants pioneer, Salvo Malatesta) marked Pillow Pusher's debut of original material.

After Poopy Lickles disappeared for a time off the coast of the Kerguelen Islands, Salad and Ellard met Car-L at the Carl's Jr. on Hesperian Blvd. in Hayward of which Car-L was part owner. Ellard and Salad told Car-L of their predicament of being without a bassist and Car-L said he would learn to play the bass to help them out. That night Car-L learned the bass. The next day Pillow Pusher began recording their second record Room 5.

Q: How did Pillow Pusher get it's name?

A: Pillow Pusher were originally called Obake Neko and then Ilk. It turns out Obake Neko is just a sucky name and there was already a New Zealand-based prog rock band named Ilk. So on Dec. 27, 2002 Ilk (now Pillow Pusher) took the stage at the now defunct Voodoo Lounge in San Francisco's Mission District. The pillow in Ellard's bass drum started sliding out during the set so he requested a 'pillow pusher'. The name immediately stuck even though the New Zealand band Ilk broke up.

Q: Who is this? 

A: His name is Fiber Phil and he is our mascot of sorts. He was drawn by Poopy Lickles. Fiber Phil graces the cover of Pillow Pusher's first album, will grace the cover of Pillow Pusher's second record and lives in pillow form inside Ellard's bass drum. 

Q: Who are some of Pillow Pusher's influences

A: Bands like the Dead Milkmen, Built to Spill, Frank Black and the Catholics, Rush, Pavement, and They Might Be Giants are big influences. To a lesser extent Air Supply, ABBA, Neil Diamond (mostly his older stuff), and of course your Mom. 

Q: What Bands Has Pillow Pusher Played With

A: Pono, the Gun and Doll Show, the Jank, Painted Bird, Pronstar, the Slow Poisoners, Royalty, Orixa, the Crooks, the Hooks,  Serendipity Project, Silence Chair, Binky, The Matinees,  Palace Family Steak House Band, Warren Teargarden, Sweet Crude Bill and the Lighthouse Nautical Society et. al.

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Here's a list of previous Pillow Pusher shows:

December 8, 2006 Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA

November 3, 2006 thee Parkside, San Francisco, CA

October 6, 2006 House of Shields, San Francisco, CA

September 21, 2006 Grant & Green, San Francisco, CA