Portugal. The Man is a quartet from the "barren wastelands of Alaska" and the "mountainy mountains of Oregon." They are just finishing up their tour, which went through Texas, Arizona, California and will finish up in Oregon and Washington. Their sound is a mix of rock with elements of jazz and modern sounds. Their debut album Waiter:   "You Vultures!" is available now.

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I met up with the band in Roseville, California at the Underground Café. The venue for the Underground Café is pretty interesting for a band like Portugal. The Man. It's actually in a church, or the café that is directly attached to the Presbyterian Church. The band was asked before the show not to cuss during the show, which they shamefully did not follow. However, the show was really good. It had a very personal feel, mostly because the maximum capacity of the venue barely exceeded double digits. I sat down with the band after the show for some interview questions.

John Gourley - Lead Vocals, Guitar

Wesley Hubbard - Keys, Vocals

Zachary Carothers - Bass, Vocals 

Jason Sechrist - Drums 

Can you explain how you guys got started in your band? Where was that? How long ago was that?
 
The three of us (John, Wesley, and Zachary) are actually from the same town, Wasilla, Alaska. We were together in a band before we started Portugal . The Man. We met up with Jason just last year.
 
As a young band starting out unknown, what are some of the techniques for getting your name out there and your music heard?
 
Well, first off, we chose to host our site on a .net account as opposed to a .com, just to mess with you people. We spell the name of our band wrong on our merchandise; we really are trying to not get our name out there.
 
So you don't want to get big?
 
Oh no, we want to be huge; we want to be on MTV.
 
You realize they don't even play music anymore, so you'll have to be on "Date My Mom."
 
Oh god no, they'll probably come up with something like "On The Road" where they just like tour with a band or something. We wouldn't be cool enough to be on that show, though.
 
I really enjoyed your website; who designed it and who did the artwork?
 
Austin Sellers designed it and does the crazy font you see on the front of the album. We don't know anything about computers. But John does all the artwork, including the CD covers.

 
My next question is for whoever is from the "mountainy mountains of Oregon." My friends from back home ( Bend, OR) were really curious as to where that was and were immediately claiming you as their local product.
 
Jason is from Oregon, but we cannot divulge that information, they're just mountainy mountains.
 
Who were your high school English teachers and how did they shape your use of punctuation in "Waiter:   "You Vultures!"?
 
Oh god, I think I maybe went to 60 days of high school, no 70. I don't think I even remember the name of a single teacher. [John]
Mr. Sterns was mine. He was the current events teacher. I liked him because he let me draw instead of reading about current events. [Wesley]
 
What did you guys do before you became full-time musicians?
 
John worked as an artist and musician. Wesley worked at a community center working with children in after school programs. Zachary worked as a Mata day (waiter). You have to guess what Jason did though.
 
I'm gonna say professional wrestler or slam poetry contestant. (He was wearing a Hulkamania t-shirt and a beret).
 
That's pretty close. Just tell them I counted pills.
 
I hate to ask it, but who are your influences other than Star Trek and Weird Al?
 
Just Weird Al. I actually saw him in concert and met him and got his autograph when I was younger. He's definitely our biggest influence. [Zach]
After a lot of debating they also mentioned Taco Grande, Air and the Flaming Lips as other influences. Actually they just said he liked Air and the Flaming Lips, but Taco Grande they decided was an influence as well.
 
Who is Portugal. The Man?
 
George Bush is the man. Portugal is a country. Daniel is also the man though.
[Daniel is their publicist and music enthusiast.]
 
Do you know of Thunderbirds Are Now!?
 
We've heard of them. Actually people have said we should tour with them.
 
No, I don't think that would be a good idea. You sound too much alike to go on tour together. But my next question is if you were to get into a brawl…
 
Oh! we would win!
 
Yes, I wasn't even going to ask that, but if you could choose, what weapons would you use in the brawl?
 
Well, they're from Detroit so they'll probably have guns, but as far as what we would use… Wesley would have a battle axe for sure, Jason would have a broad sword, John would have a wizard staff and Zach would have a crossbow. We could kick any band's ass in a brawl. Actually, there are probably some bands that could f**k us up.
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?
 
That we would kick that bands' ass in a brawl. That, and Jason is seriously sick.
 
We went on to discuss the current music scene at Pacific and introduced the band to music management major, Casey Newlin, who said it would be possible to set up some sort of concert on campus. The band was excited about the idea of playing on campus. The only thing that this campus needs is for people excited to see these bands play and show an interest now. If you would like to see this band and maybe others that have been reviewed here you should contact me and I will pass the emails on to the appropriate people who would set up these concerts.

The Hollencomium Review Podcast Playlist

Update:  I say that there are seven songs played on the podcast this week, but there are only six. Sorry for the false advertisement. 

 If you would like a song played or reviewed please send an email to

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