Turn On the Waterworks

Portland’s Water Tower has come a long way since stomping the Americana revival boards late last decade. With an all new lineup — excepting frontman Kenny Feinstein, who’s been along from the start and recently signed with Fluff & Gravy Records — the band leaves the old-time ever so slightly to bring a fresher rock ‘n’ roll sound.

Feinstein, whose folk re-telling of My Bloody Valentine’s “Loveless” has made a quick splash in the Northwest, says that even though the band has evolved from that simple, charming old-timey sound that he spent years busking on street corners, change is never a bad thing.

“The one constant in this band is change,” he says. “We’ve always maintained our same roots, but we have always continued to grow in a positive direction.”

Water Tower has been a staple in Eugene for a long, long time, and there’s no telling how far they’ll ride the lightning. On stage they exude raw, wild punch-a-guy-in-the-face energy, showcase scholarly musicianship (there’s a pretty heavy jazz experience here, believe it or not) and really know how to amp a party up.

Seriously, guys, this might just be the Northwest’s premier punk-bluegrass outfit, and if you haven’t seen them do their thang yet, you’re missing out. You’ve also probably missed a lot of other important things like iPhones, Edward Snowden, Miley Cyrus twerking and Paul Walker’s death.

So get out from under that rock and go see Water Tower.

Water Tower plays with Old Man Markley and Diego’s Umbrella 9 pm Thursday, June 5, at Sam Bond’s Garage; FREE.