Portland-based Portugal. The Man makes stop on busy tour as opening act

Originally published April 30, 2008 in The Orion.
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John Gourley has learned his lesson: Never make a joke about traditional Portuguese music.

The vocalist and guitarist for the amorphous rock band Portugal. The Man saw a photo spread feature slip out of his hands because an editor for GQ Portugal did not understand his humor, Gourley said.

A reporter from Portugal's GQ contacted the band, which also consists of bassist Zach Carothers, drummer Jason Sechrist and keyboardist Ryan Neighbors, not long after the band formed in 2004, Gourley said. The band's name makes people think there is a connection to the country, but the band is actually from Wasilla, Alaska.

"The reporter asked me what I thought about traditional Portuguese music, but I don't really listen to it," Gourley said.

Not knowing a lot about the country's music, he made a joke that was included in the article, but did not please editors, he said. The band was still featured in the magazine, but the content was severely cut.

The band's name, which represents an alter ego, catches people's interest, but it is the live performances and exploration of dreamy and synthesized garage rock that hook people in. The band will put Chico in a trance when its tour with equally wistful indie-rockers Minus the Bear stops Friday at the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium.

Portugal. The Man, now based out of Portland, Ore., did not meet Minus the Bear until this tour, but the bands are getting along well, Gourley said.

"There wasn't that awkward period where people are having trouble learning each other's name," he said.

However, not everything on the tour has been easy, Gourley said. The band had van trouble and missed its Toronto show. After the van broke down, a tire flew off the trailer, and the band was forced to buy another van and trailer.

Band members try not to get too upset with unfortunate circumstances of the road, Gourley said.

"Whenever something really bad happens, we seem to have a really good time that day to make up for it," he said.

Touring is nothing new for Portugal. The Man. The band goes on nationwide tours several times a year and has traveled to Germany, Switzerland and Austria, helping build a loyal fan base.

Dallas Oliver, a senior music industry major, has only seen the band twice, but has been a fan for more than four years, he said. Like most college students without a lot of spare cash, he is more likely to support a band by catching a live show and buying merchandise directly from the band, rather than a retailer.

"Rock 'n' roll has its roots in feeling raw, live energy," he said. "The band has its grasp on the edge of what's coming next in the scene and are one-upping it with every chance it gets."

The band finished its two-album contract with independent label Fearless Records last year and is now entertaining distribution ideas for its next release, which has already been recorded, Gourley said. Fans should expect another jump in the band's musical style.

For its first album, Portugal. The Man relied on synthesizers, loops and guitar riffs to create contemplative, beat-driven songs. The band's latest release, "Church Mouth," is also thoughtful and full of imagery but more gritty and influenced by Southern rock. Gourley's high-pitched voice gives a sense of urgency and great relevance to both albums.

The upcoming album, tentatively titled "Censored Colors," will be more chord-based and will feature a large array of instruments including cello, trombone and sitar, Gourley said. Kirk Huffman and Phil Peterson of Seattle's Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground have toured with Portugal. The Man and spent 2 1/2 weeks producing the album.

"I picked up a Beatles songbook and actually attempted to learn guitar chords," Gourley said.

Recording an album in about two weeks may seem outrageous, but it is how Portugal. The Man works best, he said. Gourley writes in a spontaneous manner. He wrote one song each night and worked on the instrumentation the following day.

The process is not only impressing fans, but also people in the industry. Paul Q. Kolderie, who worked on Radiohead's first albums, will be mixing "Censored Colors."

Portugal. The Man is unsure of what the future will hold for the release of the new album, but band members have definite control of its vision, Gourley said. The album, including artwork, will be completely done before they start accepting offers from labels.