A quick explanation

PUNK ROCK PILLOW FIGHT is a pillow fighting tournament that truly decides the master and the mistress of the mattress.

Created by Brooklyn-based artist Andrew K. Thompson in 2005, Punk Rock Pillow Fight is a modern reaction to American Gladiators, Pro Wrestling, and the world of combat sports. While victory is undoubtedly the key goal for participants, Thompson makes it a priority to match the competition with a healthy dose of fun. Anyone who attends, whether as a competitor or audience member, is sure to enjoy the sheer madness of the experience and all that it offers.

The event is comprised of a main open tournament involving up to sixteen people separated by gender: men vs. men, women vs. women. The winner of each gender tournament receives a custom-made championship belt among other prizes! In addition, specialty matches add suspense to the competition and take the event to new levels of pandemonium. Some notable past specialty matches are “The Inter-Gender Tag Team Match,” "The Blindfolded Iron-Man," “The Fatal Feather Four Way," and "The Four Sides of Fear," which pitted the opponents against each other and the audience.

What really make the event a complete experience are the extra elements that unite the crowd in the spirit of camaraderie. DJs provide fight songs and sound effects during bouts while national punk bands, such as The White Barons and The Memphis Morticians, play sets between tournament rounds. To complete the atmosphere, costumes are mandatory for all combatants; the crazier the better.

THE FIGHT RULES:

1. One knee down you're still around, two knees down you're out.
2. Off the mattress you're out.
3. If a match reaches the time limit the Ref, with the audience’s help, will decide the winner.
4. No offensive shoving. Offensive shoving makes you look like a Sumo Wrestler. Defensive shoving is accepted, as it is sometimes necessary when pillows get tangled and must be separated.
5. "Loading up" your pillow is prohibited (no rocks, spikes, salt, etc. in your pillow).
6. No punching, kicking, headbutting, etc. (this is a PILLOW FIGHT, not a real fight)
*Violations of 4-6 will get you disqualified.

Regulation pillows will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own.
Teeth guards are suggested.
Costumes are MANDATORY. Bring your own or one will be provided to you.
PILLOW FIGHT AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!


PAST PUNK ROCK PILLOW FIGHT EVENTS:

Punk Rock Pillow Fight Genesis at 345 Eldert Street, Brooklyn, November 2005
Punk Rock Pillow Fight II at The Silent Barn, Brooklyn, November 30, 2007, with musical performances by Timothy Thomas Cleary, The Unstoppable Death Machines, and Viva Nada
Punk Rock Pillow Fight III: Valentine’s Day Edition at The Silent Barn, Brooklyn, February 14, 2008, with musical performances by John Wilkes Booth, Queen Elephantine, and Bezoar
Punk Rock Pillow Fight IV: Memorial Day Meltdown at The Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn, May 24, 2008, with musical performances by The White Barons, Dirty Work, and The Memphis Morticians
Punk Rock Pillow Fight V: Full Circle at 345 Eldert Street, Brooklyn, July 4, 2008
Punk Rock Pillow Fight VI: Takes Manhattan! Santos Party House, December 15 2008, with musical performances by Goes Cube, Rumanian Buck, and Satisfier
Punk Rock Pillow Fight VII: Lover's Rock, Santos Party House, February 9th 2008, with musical performances by Vicki and Red Beard
Pillow Fight World Cup presented by Punk Rock Pillow Fight and the Austrian Pillow Fight League Warsaw Polish House May 2011. with musical performances by The Controversy and Fake Hooker

PRESS:

Newman, Jason. “Feather Dustup.” Time Out New York 29 Nov.-5 Dec. 2007.
Kordares, Molly and Lerner, Evan. “Featherweights.” The Brooklyn Ink 6 Dec. 2007.
Pak, Eudie. “Killin’ Them Softly.” The Village Voice 13-19 Feb. 2008.
“Best Contact Sport: Punk Rock Pillow Fight.” New York Magazine 3 Mar. 2008.
DeVore and Diana. Maxim Radio. Sirius Satellite Radio, New York. 20 May. 2008.
“Punk-Rock Pillow Fighting.” Time Out New York 3-9 Jul. 2008.
“Live Desk”, Live In Studio Interview, Fox 5 News, December 17th 2008.
“Pillow Fight World Cup Ruffles Fine Feathered Foes”, Huffington Post, May 17th 2011.
“Weekend Update with Seth Meyers”, Saturday Night Live, May 21th 2011