In Solidarity With Portugal. The Man

portugal the man press photo

Artist: Portugal. The Man Genre: Psychedelic/progressive rock

From the political uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East to the Midwestern United States, a sense of awareness and community seems to be spreading throughout the globe. Personally, I can’t get enough of that hope-y, change-y feeling – but then again, I’m about as far to the political left as anyone can get.

It surprised me, then, to learn that half the members of Portugal. The Man, a band I’d previously thought were from uber-liberal Oregon, are actually from Alaska. The oil drilling-friendly state with the gun-toting, lipstick-wearing pitbull of a former governor? I thought to myself. What business do they have making such transcendental tunes with… messages I actually agree with? Read on to learn why I’ve come to embrace this Pacific Northwest band, and fully support your going to see them on the road this spring.

Portugal. The Man consists of lead singer John Gourley, bassist Zachary Carothers, drummer Jason Sechrist and keyboardist Ryan Neighbors. The first two hail from Wasilla, Alaska while Sechrist and Neighbors come from Portland and Salem, Oregon, respectively. Since forming PTM in 2004, and having lost and gained some band members in the process, the band has released six albums, five EPs and multiple accolades, including Gourley’s “Best Vocalist of the Year” award from AP in 2008. Last April, PTM signed on to Atlantic Records – they’ve officially “made it” in the music world.

American Ghetto, Portugal. The Man’s latest album, is chock full of political commentary, from connotations of corporate chastising in the opening track “The Dead Dog” to my favorite, the closing “When The War Ends,” in which Gourley croons, “I’ve got soulful days to counter evil ways / when the war ends / we’ll wonder what it was about…” That’s a message this progressive/liberal/hippie/idealist can certainly get behind.

Eugene, Oregon definitely supports Portugal. The Man. The band entertained an enthusiastic audience Wednesday night at the WOW Hall, with a surprisingly large attendance considering the poor weather and mid-week concert date (not to mention the lateness in the term for college kids – finals are just around the corner!). Neon strobe lights mimicked Alaska’s famous Aurora Borealis as Gourley and company launched into favorites such as “People Say” and “60 Years” while the crowd ate up every lyric and guitar riff.

I strongly advocate seeing Portugal. The Man live – they’re currently touring the U.S. and will play at SXSW after the Snowball Music Festival this weekend. Their international tour will start in April. For more information, visit the band’s website.

snow-ball-poster

The Snowball Music Festival in Vail Valley, CO began Friday and will last through Sunday evening. Portugal. The Man is scheduled to perform at 4:30 p.m. Sunday on the main stage.

Other Snowball acts include Local Natives, Twin Shadow, Bassnectar, EOTO and The Flaming Lips.