Freaks of the Sea at Alberta Street Pub

There are certain bands that seem to be both under-the-radar and on a mainstream trajectory at the same time, and Freaks of the Sea are one such example. Having played just a handful of shows so far in 2023, those they have played have been marquee events. From their sold-out show at Jack London Revue on March 11th to a coveted opening slot for The Dandy Warhols at the Washington Park Amphitheater this coming August 26th, they have a way of popping out of the shadows in hot flashes of glory, only to return to the comforts of the recording studios in Portland they call home.

I was lucky enough to catch them on 4/27 at Alberta St. Pub, where they were the sole performers of the evening. The crowd was thick and raucous – apparent insiders to a scene you don’t see here every night. The group exudes rock stardom, from lead singer Christopher Thompson’s light-up shoes to the band’s unified orange-lensed spectacles. Their playlist included a mix of singles released in 2021 and tunes from “Out To Pasture,” a six-song EP that dropped just under three months ago.

You can catch them next on a line-up with Federale and Sun Atoms at Coffin Club June 23rd. Check out their profile for ticket links and keep a close eye out for future shows. You never know where they’ll turn up next.