Portland-based duo Utility performs Jan. 22 at John Henry’s as part of a series of shows tied to the vinyl release of their second album, How to Protect What’s Left? Utility formed as a two-member project in 2018, releasing its self-titled debut album in 2019, followed by How to Protect What’s Left?, which was digitally launched in October 2025 ahead of the vinyl pressing. Utility consists of bassist and vocalist Ryan Heise and drummer Adam Draper. Although the band is a two-piece, Heise says their live setup incorporates additional elements without relying on backing tracks, similar to approaches used by other bass and drum duos such as Royal Blood and Twenty One Pilots. “Adam, who’s a drummer, uses a loop sampler,” Heise says. “We sneak in things like some synthesizers to kind of fill it out, but we don’t play to backing tracks. We just fill in here and there.” While the Eugene date is not the band’s primary album release show, it falls within what Heise describes as a broader rollout tied to the vinyl launch. “We’re doing an in-store in Portland, and then we have an actual album release in Portland, and we tagged this Eugene show on as part of that as well,” he says. “It’s kind of like a vinyl release week.” The evening’s lineup also includes the Eugene trio Milton and Portland band Gunk.

Utility performs 9 pm Thursday, Jan. 22, at John Henry’s, 881 Willamette. Doors 8 pm. The show is 21-plus. Tickets are $10 at the door.