Portugal. The Man to tour in July

Portugal. The Man, Alaska's favorite sons and one of the most buzzed-about up-and-comers in the prog-punk/avant-indie world, will hit the road this summer in support of their second album, "Church Mouth," due out July 24 on Fearless Records.
Portugal. The Man - John Baldwin Gourley (vocals, guitars, synthesizers, programming), Zachary Scott Carothers (bass, vocals, percussion), and Jason Sechrist (drums, congas, percussion, vocals) - will headline a 35-date North American tour which kicks off on July 18 with four very special shows in their Alaskan homeland, and then migrate to the "lower 48" on July 23 in Portland, OR. Support act info, dates and venues are listed below, ticket prices and on-sale info will be announced shortly.
A Portugal. The Man show is usually never what you quite expect, truly never the same night after night, and these upcoming concerts should prove to be no different. The band utilizes a compelling light show to create various moods and a balance of abstract esotericism and vivid metal imagery, and guest musicians tend to jump on stage for a song or two. Expect to hear a selection of new songs from "Church Mouth" as well as songs from the band's 2006 album, "Waiter: You Vultures!" "Church Mouth," a departure from the drum-machine and sequencer-heavy "Waiter: You Vultures!," is an organic record that transcends genre constraints by managing to recall seemingly disparate acts such as the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, the White Stripes, the Mars Volta, and Santana.
Lyrically, the schizophrenic-sounding "Church Mouth" centers on political and religious imagery. From the funky soul-prog feel of "Sugar Cinnamon" (think an updated version of the MC5), to the psychedelic groove of "Oh Lord," to more melody-driven yet equally intense rockers like the title track and "Children," and the hauntingly exquisite "Shade," Portugal. The Man's unique sound has its roots firmly in front man/songwriter Gourley's abstract vision and unique upbringing.
Gourley was raised in a remote log cabin on the outskirts of Wasilla, Alaska that was powered by a generator and had no phone. His mom and dad doubled as a team of dog sled mushers. Add in an extended period of homelessness, a love of science fiction and a desire to make music that does not sound like every other band, and the genesis of Portugal. The Man was formed.
Gourley and childhood friend Carothers formed PTM in 2003 with Portland, OR's Jason Sechrist joining in 2005. To this day, PTM employs a rotating cast of guest musicians outside of the core three. Gourley is also an accomplished visual artist having created the stunning artwork for the "Church Mouth" package as well as PTM's previous releases, tour posters, t-shirts and other items.
With more dates to be announced, confirmed dates for Portugal. The Man's North American summer tour are as follows:
JULY
18, 19 Valley Bistro, Wasilla, AK
20 Club Oasis, Anchorage, AK
21 Millenium, Anchorage, AK
23 Satyricon, Portland, OR (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Builders & Butchers)
24 Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Tera Melos)
25 Chain Reaction, Anaheim, CA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Tera Melos)
26 Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Tera Melos)
27 Soma, San Diego, CA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Tera Melos)
28 The One Place, Phoenix, AZ (The Photo Atlas, Blackmarket, Tera Melos)
29 Chic's Bar & Billards, El Paso, TX (The Photo Atlas, Heist at Hand, Blackmarket)
31 White Rabbit, San Antonio, TX (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Heist at Hand)
AUGUST
1 Emo's, Austin, TX (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Heist at Hand)
2 The High Ground, Metairie, LA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, Heist at Hand)
3 Jack Rabbits, Jacksonville, FL (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
4 Orpheum, Tampa, FL (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
5 The Social, Orlando, FL (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
8 Casbah & Tremont, Charlotte, NC (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
9 Alley Katz, Richmond, VA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
12 Middle East, Cambridge, MA (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
13 Knitting Factory, New York, NY (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
14 Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
15 Mohawk Place, Buffalo, NY (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
16 The Reverb, Toronto, ONT (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, The Only Children)
18 Beat Kitchen, Chicago (Russian Circles, The Photo Atlas, This Will Destroy You)
19 The Loft, Madison, WI (This Will Destroy You, The Photo Atlas, Photo Atlas)
20 Varsity Theatre, Minneapolis, MN (This Will Destroy You, The Photo Atlas)
23 Country Club Theatre, Ogden, UT (This Will Destroy You, The Photo Atlas)
24 The Venue, Boise, ID (This Will Destroy You, The Photo Atlas)
25 El Corazon, Seattle, WA (PTM direct support for Kay Kay & His Weathered Underground)