Porter Block

Porter Block
Porter Block frontman Peter Block in his recording studio. (Photo by Noah Kalina)
Background information
Origin	New York City
Genres	Alternative rock, Indie rock
Years active	2003-Present
Labels	Team Mensch

Porter Block is a New York power pop band formed by Peter Block and Caleb Sherman. Since 2006, the band has released five albums and one EP, including several collaborations with Mike Viola.

Porter Block formed in the early 2000s. Peter Block met Caleb Sherman in 2003 while playing in the band Tripasaurus vs. Blockhead. During recording sessions at the Engine Room Audio in New York City, Block and Sherman formed Porter Block. The group’s influences drew from 1960s British Invasion bands to ‘70s acts such as Neil Young and The Eagles.

Porter Block’s debut album, Suburban Sprawl, was released in 2006 by Engine Room Recordings, a label founded by Block and Engine Room Audio owner Mark Christensen. All Music Guide wrote, “Buoyant pop tunes filled with harmonies and hooks … a promising start.”

In 2007, the band released the Solitary Hotel EP and contributed two songs to the first volume of the Guilt By Association covers compilation series. In 2008, Porter Block released their second full-length album, Off Our Shoulders. PopMatters called it “a pleasantly infectious 36-minute spread of over 10 catchy pop missives that wash over you like a cool summer breeze without ever outstaying their welcome.”

The band’s third full-length, Pueblo A Go Go, was released in February 2009. It was self-produced by Block, with Sherman adding performance and mixing credits. Steve Holley, whose resume includes Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Ian Hunter’s Rant Band, guested on drums. Guitarist Garrett Alarcon lent a hand both in the studio and on the live dates that followed with Mike Doughty.

Touring partners from 2006 to 2009 included Deep Blue Something, Mike Viola, The Samples, and Mike Doughty.

When Sherman moved his studio to Nashville in 2009, Block reached out to 11 songwriters he admired, some he had never met, and invited them to his studio near the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. The songwriting group included Terry Radigan, Casey Shea, Jeff Jacobson, and Angela McCluskey. The resulting album was called The Gowanus Yacht Club, released August 2009. Short And Sweet NYC called it, "A fine blend of well-crafted songs that is a summation of a rather interesting songwriting ‘experiment.’"