Beardos
“A beard is a scarf that works great while bike riding,” and other observations on the significance of facial hair in the beardiest city in America.
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John Wray, 36, SE, bartender/artist View Slideshow »
David Neevel, 32, NE, art director View Slideshow »
Benji Brucker, 25, N, video production
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Jimmy Carson, 34, NW, copywriter/advertising View Slideshow »
Brad Trost, 35, NE, art director View Slideshow »
Craig Love, 34, NW, ad writer
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Greg Hennes, 29, SE, partner in camera & lighting company
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Tyson Wisbrock, 37, SW, cinematographer
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Madgesdiq, 37, SE, hip-hop artist & poet
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Craig Nicholls, 40, NE, brewer/brewery owner
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Dave Seoane, 40, SE, cinematographer & furniture designer/builder
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Mark Searcy, 33, NE, art director
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Seth Gross, 35, N, bar owner
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Justin ‘Scrappers’ Morrison, 30, SE, writer & activist
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Marc d’Avignon, 33, NW, advertising writer
Lately we’ve noticed scruff on more than just a few faces. In fact, Portland may be the beardiest city in America right now. Here’s our proof.
John Wray, 36, SE, bartender/artist
“I started growing a beard to appear older, wiser, but more so to look burly, and because it was a way to stand out. That was 1997, and almost twelve years later I continue to grow it because it’s become a part of my personality. It’s one of the things I’m known for, including bad jokes and drinking beer in dive bars.
As far as it being a Portland thing, I think it’s more of a young hipster thing and that they are growing beards for the same reason I started. I suppose ‘back to nature’ would describe a good number of beards on older men, in their thirties and forties. I think of them as mountain-man types. Myself, I’m just gonna let it grow.”
Brush up on your facial hair history with our web exclusive: Whiskery History, Trendsetters of the Bearded Northwest.
Published: January 2009