Portugal. The Man Interview

With the release of their fourth album, The Satanic Satanist, Portugal. The Man has planted itself as one of the most unique and entertaining alt/rock bands in the music industry today.

The Satanic Satanist, released July 21, 2009, demonstrates the band's maturity as well as being their most structured album to date. With songs like "People Say," "Lovers in Love," "Work All Day" and "Do You", Portugal. The Man is surely going to please current fans as well as gain the respect of many more.

Portugal. The Man's Zachary Scott Carothers, bass, was cool enough to answer a few questions ranging from influences, to festivals and the impact of The Satanic Satanist for Knox Animal readers.

KA: Who were your musical influences growing up and what inspired you about them?

ZSC: All the music my parents showed me was obviously a huge influence. Bands like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Neil Young... Plus a bunch of pop like Michael Jackson, Hall and Oats... Then after a while I started to find music on my own. Band's like Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine and The Beastie Boys really helped me find my self musically and completely paved the way for me to find bands that I love..... Oh yeah... Wu Tang Clan....Awesome.

KA: What current artists do you listen to?

ZSC: A lot of the bands i listen to now happen to be friends of mine. There's a something completely different and amazing about listening to a band that you have a personal friendship with. Band's like The Builders and the Butchers, Hello Electric, Doctor Helicopter, Minus the Bear, and Circa Survive. As for new bands that i don't have the pleasure of knowing well, I'm big into the Mountain goats, The Decemberists, 31 Knots, Grizzly Bear, and The Black Keys.

KA: What has been your most memorable performance so far?

ZSC: There are a few that really stick out, but it's hard to choose a favorite. This year's set at Bonnarroo is certainly a top contender. For our first major open air festival, things could not have gone much better. The band before us missed their flight due to the storm, so we had the most relaxed soundcheck. not too mention the anticipation that built up in the crowd while they were waiting for over an hour with thunder and lightning going on. It was far more people than we have ever played for in our lives and smiles didn't leave our faces for weeks. Another one was the first time we flew to Europe. Our first show was in Konstanz, Germany. We could not believe how many people showed up to see us. Despite having been awake for almost 36 hours and feeling the effects of some gnarly German beer, we felt like the luckiest boys in the world. My third experience was the first time we flew home to Alaska to play a show. We formed the band there, but moved down to Portland to tour and gig around the city. Finally, playing for our family and friends after all we had done felt really good.... And there is no crowd more crazy than an Alaskan crowd... So much fun.

KA: I saw you guys at Bonnaroo and you were awesome. Did you guys enjoy Bonnaroo? Did you get the chance to catch any other shows while you were there?

ZSC: Ha... i Obviously didn't read this question before i answered the one above... Yes. We had such an amazing time. We were so excited to be a part of something like that. I think we were the first band to check in. At the catering tent in the morning before anyone else was there, everyone was looking at us like we were the nerds that show up to a house party at 8:30. Just happy to be invited. We were those nerds. It was a little hectic... We were lucky enough to get a bunch of interview and such, but we didn't get to see many bands. In fact, the only set i watched all the way through, was our friends Dirty Sweet and the True music tent. I've seen them a hundred times. Ha.

KA: What do you think of the whole festival vibe? How does that compare to single shows?

ZSC: They are both so different and awesome in their own ways... I love the festival crowd because of the drunken love for music in the air... Everyone is there to be dirty, intoxicated and to dance like they will never get to again. Music does some amazing things to people and it is very clear watching the crowds at those festivals. On the other hand, club shows are so much fun... I guess it's a little more relaxed. We have time to set up and get a proper sound check, time to mingle and meet people after the set instead of being rushed off stage. It's also much more personal... Instead of a barricade holding people ten feet back from the stage, I have people stealing sips of my beer from next to my fucking pedal board! Awesome. That shit is really fun. I don't think I can choose which I like more...

KA: You guys are known as a fairly experimental band. Is that because you are always looking for new ways to reach your audience, or do you truly strive for variety in your music?

ZSC: Not to sound selfish, but yeah... We just like to do what we do. We appreciate our fans so much and we know that we could never do this without them. We will always go above and beyond to make them happy, but as far as song writing goes, that's something you have to do for
yourself. The second you start thinking too much about pleasing other people, whether it be fans, press, mom, or people that have never heard of us, you start to lose the soul and love in the music that first caught people's attention. Since there's no real money in music anymore, at least at our level, that's the only way to sell out. And we're not going to do that... Punk rock. ha.

KA: Tell me about your new album, The Satanic Satanist, how does it compare to your previous albums?

ZSC: Well i feel that this is our most mature and prepared album to date.. We actually took time to focus on the songs as a whole before we went into the studio. Something we've never done before. I think we were a little intimidated working with such amazing producers. We've always worked with friends on our previous recordings and being a little scared to go in with people we didn't know drove us to work really hard beforehand. This is our most straight forward album as far as the structures go, but the most experimental as far as the synth and production. We focused a lot on trimming the fat, taking advantage of all the inspirations we have had in the past... 50's and 60's song structures, vintage equipment from the 70's and 80's, with a 90's style production... Paul, Adam and Antony did an amazing job.

KA: What message are you trying to get across to your fans through your music?

ZSC: We're not a very preachy band... We'll leave that to people that are good at it. Henry Rollins, Rage Against the Machine... Those guys got it covered... If we say anything, it'll just be a message of love and respect for yourself, those around you, your community, the world and anything that means anything to you.