Bowery Ballroom

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Portugal The Man / Earl Greyhound

Portugal The Man / Earl Greyhound

Wintersleep

Fri 10/31
Tickets

18+

Doors 7pm

$15

Portugal The Man

  • http://www.myspace.com/portugaltheman
  • http://www.portugaltheman.net
  • What is it about Portugal The Man that makes them stand out, that separates them from every other rock band?

    Is it due to an unconventional upbringing in the magical and menacing tundra of the Land of the Northern Lights? Maybe it has something to do with their visceral live shows, their effortless ability to create concert experiences that differ wildly from night to night. Or perhaps it’s due to the bond they actively forge with their ever-growing fan base evidenced by their showing up to in-store signings, radio stations or interviews with personalized paintings for their supporters.

    In other words, Portugal The Man isn’t a band, it’s a movement—and a force this strong could only be born out of a place as icy and isolated as Wasila, Alaska. While those of us who grew up in the Continental United States were raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons and sugary cereal, PTM front man John Gourley’s upbringing was unorthodox. He spent a good deal of his youth exploring nature in one of the few virtually untouched territories left in the world. “Alaska is the prettiest place I’ve ever been,” explains Gourley, whose striking enigmatic vision makes its mark on all of the Portugal The Man’s CD packaging, merch designs, videos, photos and posters. “I think that environment has had a huge impact on our music.”

    Although Alaska is a decidedly conservative state, Gourley grew up as the child of two hippie parents, also one of the few husband-and-wife teams who ran the Iditarod, Alaska’s annual dogsled race. John and his family lived in a remote cabin that needed a generator to provide electricity and had no phone. Thankfully, the generator provided enough juice to power the family’s record player, and instead of getting caught up in mainstream hip-hop which permeated his hometown, he was raised on his parents’ very limited record collection, poring over albums by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the Zombies, and Motown artists at a young age and being encouraged to explore his own inner creativity, which eventually lead to his joining Anatomy Of The Ghost with bassist Zach Carothers in 2002. When that band broke up in 2004, Portugal The Man rose out of the ashes.

Earl Greyhound

  • http://www.myspace.com/earlgreyhound
  • http://www.earlgreyhound.com/
  • "They tear through acrobatic fills with immodest aplomb. More than acrobatic, the flourishes come unannounced and at paralyzing volume. Rhythmic intelligence itself isn't enough to melt this much face. Matt Whyte's ballsy vocals, the never-cheated transitions, the sly way the song switches to swung-feel for a finale and then quotes "Dig a Pony"-- that's the stuff that makes the flames extra fiery." – Pitchfork Media

    Whether or not Earl Greyhound are the Next Big Thing is irrelevant—watching them will convince you that they are. – The New Yorker

    "You can tell by the way Earl Greyhound pistol-whip the middle of Monkey in chopped-up meter, Black Dog style, that they are here to get the Led out." – Rolling Stone

    "This band can crush your favorite band...As heavy as Led Zeppelin, but way less obnoxious, Earl Greyhound update traditional hard rock by leaving out the crotch-happy swagger, with terrific results. Fronted by excitable guitarist Matt Whyte, the New York trio seem happiest when they're trying to simulate an earthquake on the pounding "S.O.S.," though even the Beatles-esque "Good" produces a wicked rumble. For that, credit rude drummer Ricc Sheridan, who cheerfully tries to demolish each song, regardless of style." – SPIN Magazine

Wintersleep

  • www.myspace.com/wintersleep
  • www.wintersleep.com/
  • With a name that fits a Nova Scotia-based band rather well, Wintersleep formed in 2001. Initially, they were part of the Nova Scotia label and artists' collective Dependent Music, which released their first two albums, 2003's Wintersleep and 2005's untitled full-length, as the band was just getting rolling. The band graduated to the big time -- that is to say the major labels -- in 2006, when Wintersleep signed with Labwork, a subsidiary of EMI Canada. Members Paul Murphy (vocals and guitar), Tim D'Eon (guitar and keyboards), Jud Haynes (bass), Jon Samuel (keyboards), and Loel Campbell (drums) were able to see their first two releases get a second look on their new label, complete with bonus tracks, but in 2007 Haynes left the group. A quick replacement was found in Mike Bigelow, and Wintersleep soon returned to store shelves with their 2007 album, Welcome to the Night Sky. In 2008 the band was nominated for a Juno Award, Canada's highest honor in the national music scene.
    --by Chris True

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