Portishead

Portishead (IPA: /pɔːtɪsˈhɛd/) is a trip hop band from Bristol, United Kingdom, named after the small town of Portishead, 12 miles west of Bristol. The name is pronounced 'Por-tis-head', with an 's' in the middle, and n

Portishead (IPA: /pɔːtɪsˈhɛd/) is a trip hop band from Bristol, United Kingdom, named after the small town of Portishead, 12 miles west of Bristol. The name is pronounced 'Por-tis-head', with an 's' in the middle, and not 'Por-ti-shead' or 'por-ti-shed'. With their tasteful use of live jazz samples and intentionally lo-fi sound, the band has been cited as influential by many modern musicians including Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland, Hip-Hop star Kanye West, and remix artist DJ Dangermouse.

The band was formed in 1991, by keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Geoff Barrow and singer Beth Gibbons. Barrow had previously worked with two other trip hop bands from Bristol, Massive Attack and Tricky, and decided to name his new endeavour after his hometown.