Courtesy Sarah Cass

The Breezy Porticos play their final show Friday in Denver.

FRIDAY MAGAZINE

Browse the entire section

Cover story
Birthday blast: Boulder County Fourth of July events

Movies:
Review: 'Food, Inc.'

Theater:
Review: Curious Theatre's 'Conviction'

Music:
Wilco at Red Rocks

Dining:
Review: Rib House

Parting may be sweet sorrow, but for Denver indie rock band the Breezy Porticos, an indie-pop trio that is calling it quits after nine years, it's also a chance to bring proper closure to the group.

"It's a way to dot the I, to give an aura of finality to it," says Andy Falconetti, the group's lead singer and guitarist.

The Breezies, which also includes bassist Jeff Almond and drummer Eric Van Leuven, are going out on their own terms, says Falconetti.

"We just felt that the band had run its course," he says. "We wanted to call it quits while we still liked each other."

The band takes its final bow Friday night with a show at the hi-dive in Denver.

Ironically, the breakup comes on the heels of the band's sophomore record release, These Record Highs, which came out in 2007. The decision to cut the cord was made at that time.

"I think at that time the subject came up and we decided rather than just break up and not play at all, we'd give it a few more months, which turned out to be 10 more months," Falconetti says. "We still have fun playing. That's never been an issue. I think the original plan was to finish by April of this year. We ended up playing a lot more shows. We finally drew the line in the sand at October."

It was an impressive run for the band. Formed in Denver in 1999, the band has three releases to its credit, including 2004's debut CD Keep it Crisp. Along with bands like Dressy Bessy, the Maybellines and the Apples in Stereo, the Breezy Porticos helped mold the Denver indie-rock scene with a pop-oriented, '60s garage rock sound and sensibility.

"We've always kept it on the lo-fi," Falconetti says.

For its final show, the band took song requests from fans to help compile the 90-minute set.

"We thought that'd be an interesting way to get people involved," Falconetti says.

The band is bringing along a lot of old friends as well, including original bassist Jody Schneider, who left the band in 2000. Other guest appearances and surprises are on tap as well.

When the final encore is finished, it will be the end of the Breezy Porticos, but not the end of its music. Falconetti is performing as an acoustic solo artist under the name Liberry, and he's including some Breezies material -- including songs he's written with the band but never recorded -- in his repertoire.

"I would kind of like to take a break from the band thing after doing it for so long," he says. "After so many years, it's nice to not herd cats, which is what it seems like every band is to some extent.

"I know for myself that I'll keep making music, and I think Jeff and Eric will too," he adds.

But the future is just that. For now, the band is concentrating on going out with style and capping off a nine-year career as one of Denver's most popular indie acts. Falconetti expects an equal amount of tears and beers to be involved in the farewell.

"It will be a hootenanny with hopefully lots of drinking and lots of good times," he says. "Thank you to everybody for all of the support throughout the years."

Contact Camera Music Writer Vince Darcangelo at vdarcangelo@yahoo.com.