Show Review

"Waiter: You Vultures!," the suprise indie/rock/jazz/soul/punk fusion album, hit me like a ton of bricks I wasn't expecting. This band is one I simply caught onto, and can't let go of. Super unique and clever, this band fuses together elements of defineable, clear-cut pop and brings on a jazzy, rhythmical edge. Their distinct, immediate sound is as infectious as it is weird, and I couldn't wait to see them live.

So I waltz to the club, nothing like Hollywood, where you pay $5 for parking and then $6 for a "two-drink-under-21 minimum" voucher..and there was a nice crowd gathered inside. I figured most of them were there to see My American Heart, the rather cute story of a San Diego pop punk band going the way of drop D and heavy, and doing it rather well.

In any case, the oddity that is Portugal The Man took the stage with a sort of sophisticated tranquility and maturity, and instantly kicked it off. They played all my favorite tracks, even doing the Nic Gatsby's "yelping" as it were in "Marching With Six." Solid musicianship and craft, with a style that is truly their own, this band shocked me with their display of energy and impecabble singing. I couldn't get enough of their eerie set, especially as the lights turned off at a certain point and all you could see were the bright floor lights. This band seems to be getting little to no attention, which is totally strange to me. Go see them live, they will rock your socks off, regardless of whether or not you are a "fan," or not.

We only stayed for My American Heart's set, and I must say, it was suprising. This band has an awesome amount of energy and composure, especially for guys who look like they just got out of high school. They played an array of songs from their Sal Villanueva produced Warcon effort, "The Meaning In Makeup," with an awesome amount of talent and versatility. This band should be blowing up in no time, and their live act was very reassuring of that possibility. They even played the song that features Geoff (Thursday) on the album, "We Are The Fabrication," with a respectable amount of energy and poise.

Kind of a strange lineup, but then again, who else would you see with Portugal The Man? Go see them, no matter who they're playing with--they will destroy your senses and confuse you..in that great way.

review by Andrew Martin