Austin Sound Check

Portugal. The Man is not a political band. At least according to lead singer/guitarist John Gourley. Their lyrics are not political, but Portugal. The Man has been pulled into the political spotlight because their roots lie in Wasilla, Alaska, where current Alaska Governor and VP Candidate Sarah Palin was once mayor.

In an interview conducted on October 8th, just after a presidential debate, Gourley expressed concerns over the band’s decision to comment on current political events. The band wanted to speak out, but did not want politics to conflict with the recent release of Censored Colors. Ultimately, Gourley said he decided to speak out because he has the utmost respect for the people of Alaska, their community and the Alaskan wildlife. All things that he sees threatened by Sarah Palin.

Gourley released his first statements on Sarah Palin via PTM’s blog on September 4th. The band has recently returned from a European tour, and Austin Soundcheck was one of the first to interview them upon their return to the US.

“I see Sarah Palin running on family values, as a Hockey Mom,” said Gourley, “I’m sure she stands for those things, but things that happened in Alaska alone conflict with that image.” Among his concerns, Gourley listed the pregnancy of Bristol Palin. Sarah Palin “is against sex education and yet her daughter is pregnant at seventeen,” Gourley said, “she’s trying to run a campaign based on family values and yet she can’t even keep track of her kids.”

John Gourley also expressed concern over the lack of witnesses in the recent “Troopergate” investigation and the mafia mentality that seems to follow Palin around the state of Alaska. Even during Palin’s time as mayor of Wasilla, Gourley observed similar events first hand. “As soon as she got into office all the hospital workers in Wasilla were replaced with members of (Palin’s) church,” Gourley explained, then all of a sudden there were no abortions allowed.”

Based on the statements above, it’d be easy to assume that John Gourley is just another liberal, however it was very apparent that he is someone who tries to listen to all sides of a debate. PTM as a group routinely consumes both liberal media as well as well-known conservative media gurus like Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, in an effort to stay balanced.

However, on the topic of Sarah Palin, even the conservative voices of Fox News can’t sway Gourley’s opinion. “Sarah Palin is the biggest mistake (the McCain campaign) could make,” Gourley said, “McCain obviously didn’t do his homework.” He continued, “Picking Sarah Palin was a cheap grab at celebrity, because they were so scared of Obama’s celebrity.”

On their recent European tour, Gourley said that everywhere PTM went, the band was greeted by Obama supporters. “Portugal The Man is lucky enough to travel the world and hear other people’s views,” said Gourley. He went on to tell the story of a kebob shop proprietor in Germany, whom PTM visited with at 3am, after a show. Despite his limited English, the man exhorted the band, “You’re not voting McCain, you’re voting Obama, right?”

“Would that ever happen in the US?” asked Gourley, “It’s insane how much more informed people are in Europe.” Gourley went on to explain the stress he’s observed over this election. Stress that’s not likely to let up until the election on November 4th.

Portugal. The Man plays Emo’s this Saturday, October 18th. For more information and tickets, visit Emo’s website. You can also view PTM’s new video for Lay Me Back Down below.

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