Excuse me people. I was unaware that this triad of young men existed until I stumbled across their video for their single "AKA M80 The Wolf" off of their debut album Waiter: You Vultures. Yes, It's true, I had no knowledge that this force of rock existed. Nor was I aware that in the pristine Alaskan wilderness formed a band which creates the eccentric, rock poetic power which is Portugal. the Man.

On July 24th, 2007, Portugal. The man will release their Sophomore album Church Mouth and it will shake the very core of those little mainstream boys out there who think they are making music. this album is for grown-ups people. John Gourley's voice is full of soul and poetry without sounding like a wimp. There's a tint of White Stripes, Led Zeppelin, Black Crows, and The Beatles within this album, but rest assured, Portugal stands on their own.

It is very nice to interview a band that is intelligent, well spoken and connected to their music. I enjoyed all their answers and so I included all three's responses. It's not always about the singer! I give you a very firm approval of this album. if you want a record that rocks your core, that is lyrically stimulating, that makes you feel like you're a cowboy walking through life's journey or just because you can appreciate three good musicians who fit perfectly together. then I highly suggest Church Mouth. Best played loudly.

Alaska huh? I'd have to say it seems like a pretty isolated place for a band as soulful as you guys....how did you guys hook up and make beautiful music together?

JG: Really, the towns are still towns and the people are still people. When it comes down to it, you just have a few more means of escape. The route chosen by Zach and I was the exit. We both left at Different times for Portland, Oregon where we began playing around town with our friends Konami Defense System, which Jason had been drumming for at the time. When it came time to record Waiter: You Vultures, the drum machine based Portugal was in need of a change and the next step of a more free time movement that only a live drummer could fill out. We had jason play on the record and he began touring with us soon after. All in all it was probably the best step and the biggest step the band has taken. At this point the band is wholly live drums with congas, shakers, tambourines, mallets, random metals etc. and we have become so much more tight in doing this. Who would have thought that letting a band loose from click tracks and machines would have that outcome? It has definitely changed the band for the better.

What did you enjoy most about making Church Mouth and how did you decide to name the album this?

JG: Putting the songs together then watching them grow is always amazing, but honestly, my favorite part of the record was the percussion and had very little to do with me. It was so much fun to watch my friends go in a room and make these really great rhythms. It all camE together the best it could have on that end.

I thought of the name a couple months after we finished the last record. I had randomly called someone church mouth. I don't recall exactly what it was all about but it was definitely one of those moments where we laughed really hard and then said "we have to use that."

ZC: it's hard to describe a favorite part of recording. the whole time is a blast. we all live together in the studio, wake up everyday and start playing. there is a turning point we come to in every song when it just all comes together. you've heard the parts a hundred times, but you hear a rough song for the first time. it's an amazing feeling. church mouth is named for the ties in religion and politics for the most part. something that's interested us for a while.

JS: I love the whole process. Down to guitar tones, and mixing ideas. But I had such a great time trying to let music flow through me as honest as possible. I remember on tour early into "waiter you vultures" john just turned around in the van and said, "Dudes the next album should be called church mouth" the meaning...from me- a george bush character preaching inside a public church.

You guys have toured a lot the past year...how would you describe your following?

JG: Its really hard to say. We have not actually gone out on our own since the band has started. I mean, we have gotten a really great response from kids at the shows we play on tour but for the most part when we are back in Portland we almost never play for those crowds. Germany is much the same. It just makes it very hard to tell where you stand when you are opening shows.

ZC: small but strong. we've got good towns and bad towns. we've never done our own tour in the states and we're going out on our first in a month. i guess we'll know more about that soon.

You all have said you tried to keep the small mistakes within this record (which personally I think is great)...did you have a lot of feedback from Casey or was this a lone effort creatively?

JG: Casey was really good for this record, he stepped out in a lot of ways that I didn't expect. He went as far as to question me on lyrics and the way I was delivering them. He also pushed me to sing out more and not be so nervous about my voice. Definitely a huge step for me. It was just really great to have someone backing me and pushing me along.

ZC: ha. yeah, casey is a good buddy of ours. we enjoy a good laugh in the studio. i don't know who started that shit, but we all love it.

JS: I think casey was always thinking about cool ideas while picturing the tight end of the mix, keeping our heads together cause we are day-dreamer/spacers, while smiling as we went for goof sessions and experimenting...On a few songs there was inconsistent takes that did not sit well in my stomach but everyone else loved them and flow or the swing of it...so they were keepers!

You all have worked with other musicians outside your triad....who have you worked with you enjoyed the most and why?

JG: Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground all came in and played on the album at different points. Kay Kay had come to a few shows and just got on stage and jammed with us a few times in the past year which helped us along in the thought that a collaboration was the way to go. It was just so much fun letting friends sit in and listen and interpret. A very great band to do this, I can't say there are many that we would let in so freely. They will most likely find their way onto the next record as well as future live shows.

ZC: everyone we've worked with are amazing. we have a good time bringing friends out on the road. everyone add they're own flavor to our show, so it's a little different every time we play. we just got back from europe with kyle o quin. he played on our record as well. he is a badass keys player and we have a blast with that guy.

JS: Gourley and carothers are great at being able to write a song every 5 minutes keeing me on my toes day and night, Ray Rude from konami defense system and the Builders and the butchers is a great all around musician I think he's half computer, he can play anything. Big Thomas, and Kyle bring pure love and quality to our jams...so many good players.

There's a definite abstract and poetic sound lyrically, was it difficult creating the songs for Church Mouth?

JG: I wouldn't say that. We are pretty free flow when it comes to writing, everything is done in the studio setting based on little minute or so random tape demos that we do throughout our touring. It makes it easier for us to just go in and not think about it. I always hate the thought of demos. With our constant over thinking and touring it just makes little sense for us to plan anything in advance.

Lyrics are much of the same. I will usually sit down the day before or the day of vocals and write there in the studio. It seems to be a bit more honest to do it that way. A complete mess of my thoughts and words but in the end it helps me to understand my mind a bit more.

ZC: stressful at times, but not difficult. 70% of our songs are written in the studio. we worked very hard on that album, but i really feel it came very naturally.

JS: The album poured out of me easily except for a couple songs that boggled me for a few days, I just could not speak to them. John writes most lyrics towards the very end of a song so there were some occasions were Zach and I were twitching and wondering how a song was going to change and turn out after lyrics came in. We both left the studio for a week while John recorded all the vocals. He did a nice job.

Your video for "AKA M80 The Wolf" represents you all very well...any plans for videos for this album?

JG: Oh I am sure we will be doing a video or videos for this album. The visual side of the songs is so important and we were so lucky to have a video turn out so great. I think everyone in the band was pretty happy with it. The video for "M80..." does set the bar pretty high though, we will definitely need to sit down and really think out the next step on the film end.

Who has been most fun to tour with?

All: The most fun has probably been Circa Survive, Fear Before (we have a blast with those guys) gatsby's, Honorary Title or Fall of Troy or Tera Melos or Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground. All of these bands have just stepped on stage with us at different times and without hesitation. It is all about playing with other people and getting their take on our songs. It is truly fantastic to step on stage fully trusting that the dynamics and sound would be there, regardless of the recorded songs. All were great times and great guys.

One word to describe each of you.

JG: Weird. I get that a lot, and I have to say, who the fuck says that? I suppose I am fine with it now, but really, who says that to a person? It really makes me wonder what people say when I'm not around. Though, if I were to describe myself I would have to use "absent". I am completely gone almost always. I don't know if it is ADD or I am dying. Definitely one of the two. note added: (its called being a musician, its a disease)

ZC: jerk, jerk, jerk.

JS: John/crazy or Lennon, ZAch/Nice or partyboy, Jason/friend or "hit me"

What is your all time favorite Sci-Fi film?

JG: 2001: A Space Odyssey. Holy shit. This movie blows my mind every time I watch it and I will probably never truly understand it. Everything about it makes me laugh in the best way. I cannot stop smiling.

ZC: 2001.... for sure.

JS: I think my answer is " Aliens"

For more on Portugal. the Man and to see more of John Gourley's art, Please visit their website or feel free to leave them a comment on their MySpace page. In the meantime you can check out their video for "AKA M80 The Wolf"...