Although Portishead prefer not to be labelled under any musical category, there is no doubting that along with Massive Attack and Tricky they are fore-runners in developing the trip-hop sound to emerge from the Bristol, UK music scene.
Formed in 1991 by Geoff Barrow and named after a shipping suburb of Bristol, Portishead developed a new distinct sound that was to put Bristol on the music map. Geoff Barrow recruited pub singer Beth Gibbons as well as jazz guitarist Adrian Utley and the trio began writing songs. Geoff and Beth shot and acted in a short film "To Kill a Dead Man" which was homage to the spy movies of the 60's. Their soundtrack to the film drew attention form Go! Discs and in 1993 Portishead signed to the UK label.
Once in the studio the band enlisted the help of engineer/percussionist Dave McDonald and in 1994 they released their debut album 'Dummy'. The sound was dark, mystical and inciting with subtle samples and was centred on Gibbon's brittle, desperate vocals. This created a definite atmosphere, pulling the listener intently into their world. The album itself was not unlike a soundtrack in some respects. Drawing on samples, jazz riffs and loops, Portishead took in many influences including acid house and subtle jazz to create the trip-hop sound. This new, distinctly British brooding sound enlisted a wide-ranging audience including alternative dance and rock fans which found subtle relations in every case. It also drew in the thirtysomething audience which could relate to their avant-garde sound.
Standout tracks on the album include 'Sour Times' and 'Glory Box' and the album went on to win the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 1995. It also won "Album of the Year" in many magazine polls.
Nearly three years later in 1997,Portishead released their self-titiled second album to great exception. The album continued the dark, ambient, moody sound of its predecessor. Following tours both sides of the Atlantic, Portishead recorded a live concert in New York with a full orchestra. This was later released as a live CD and video capturing the fragile and delicate songs perfectly, confirming them as a definite flag-bearing band in a new and emerging British music scene.
Many of the band members are currently working as producers or are tied up with family commitments.
- Michael J
