Porter

Progressive ideas and experimentation placed alt-rock act Porter on the creative edge of Mexico's post-millennial rock movement. Formed in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in May 2004, Porter's lineup and mirrored that of major influences like Radiohead, Pixies, and Café Tacuba. Porter incorporated synth bass and programming artist Diego into an otherwise traditional rock lineup of guitars (Fernando and Victor) and drums (Juan Pablo). Their Euro-leaning sound set them apart from the predominantly punk-oriented scene of Guadalajara. Porter's debut disc, Donde los Ponys Pastan, was released in 2004 by the independent Tercer Piso Records. The album's single "Espiral" was put on heavy rotation by local radio station Reactor 105.7, earning them widespread notoriety over a short time span. Singles "Daphne," "Vaquero Galáctico," and "Bipolar" experienced similarly strong radio play, turning Donde los Ponys Pastan into a significant, gutsy debut. The years that followed offered Porter opportunities to perform at some of North America's most prominent music festivals. Important appearances included the Festival Vive Latino (2005, 2006, and 2007), Corona Music Fest (2005), and the SXSW festival in Austin, TX. The band shared stages with groups such as Zoé, Modest Mouse, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Incubus. In 2007 Porter released their sophomore effort, Atemahawke. Featuring the English-language single "Host of a Ghost," the album climbed Mexican rock charts to become one of the year's most popular alternative releases. The album's success garnered Porter an invitation to the Motorokrfest '07, performing alongside acts the Killers, the Dandy Warhols, Austin TV, and Molotov. In a few months' time Atemahawke climbed to number 11 on Mexican pop sales charts, making them one of Mexican alt-rock's fastest rising stars. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi