On their latest, the five-song EP, Where The Crow Don’t Fly, Portland, Oregon-based bluegrass revivalists the Water Tower Bucket Boys turn the genre upside down with their indie-fried take on the roots sound. A first for them, they’ve added vibraphone, organ, whirly tube, and more percussion, resulting in a sound that is as traditional as they’ve always been, but as shockingly refreshing as they’ve been, too. The darker sound of the EP may cut a little deeper, but the three-part harmonies and danceable-party-vibe is not lost in translation, as the Water Tower Bucket Boys command your undivided attention. From the early morning rising of ‘Crow’, a blurry-eyed, traditional that will haunt your inner being, to the get-up-and-go of ‘Walkin’ the Road’ and, through the hook-laden, pop-friendly bluegrass of ‘Easy Way Out’, the Water Tower Bucket Boys cover all their bases here with five new originals packaged with the distinctive cover art of Garrett Durant, who was also responsible for the art on the band’s current full-length album Sole Kitchen.
Bio:
After 5 years on the road, 4 albums under their belt and multiple international tours, the Water Tower Bucket Boys have been brewing up a storm in the folk music world. The boys have collaborated live with members of bands like Frank Turner, Kitty Daisy and Lewis, the Red Stick Ramblers, and the Foghorn Stringband and shared the stage with acts like Old Crow Medicine Show, Mumford and Sons, Wilco, Pokey LaFarge and the South City Three, and Woody Pines. They have toured extensively in both the USA and abroad, and performed live on the BBC, NPR, and RTE. Their all original sound is infectious and has spread far and wide to audiences of all ages and walks of life. Based in Portland, Oregon these young gents got their start busking on street corners playing traditional old time and bluegrass, eventually honing their sound as a solid dance band playing square dances and bluegrass festivals up and down the west coast.
However, the boys wanted to take the music further and thus, their new sound was born. Loosely based in the traditions of bluegrass, punk rock, blues, Cajun, folk and country their sonic creations transcend all musical boundaries. Their songs feature tight 3 part harmonies and powerful instrumentals. This combined with the lightning energy of their stage performances has made them a favourite amongst music connoisseurs throughout the US and Europe alike. Their latest record, “Sole Kitchen” (Self-Released 2010) features 13 original works with song contributions from each member of the band. The album was recorded by punk rocker Mike Herrera of MXPX and Tumbledown at his Monkey Trench Studios in Bremerton, WA.
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Tour Dates
August
Thursday 25, London, The Bush Hall
Friday 26, Headcorn, Small World Summer Festival, NB. SOLD OUT!
Saturday 27, Brighton, The Haunt
Sunday 28, Langton Matravers Purbeck Folk Festival, Wilkswood Farm, Swanage, Dorset
Sunday 28, Worth Matravers, The Square And Compass, Swanage, Dorset
Monday 29, Worth Matravers, The Square And Compass, NB. Afternoon Show, Swanage, Dorset
Tuesday 30, Yeovil, The Quicksilver Mail, Somerset
Wednesday 31, Chagford, Ring O’ Bells, Devon
September
Thursday 1, Bristol, The Old Duke,
Friday 2, Glastonbury, The Assembly Rooms
Sunday 4, Liverpool, The Caledonia, Caledonia Street
Monday 5, Stranraer, The Grapes, Dumfries & Galloway
Tuesday 6, Omagh, The Weigh Inn, N. Ireland
Thursday 8, Belfast, Open House Festival, McHugh’s Basement
Friday 9, Listowel, St. Johns Theatre, Co. Kerry
Saturday 10, Clogheen, St. Paul’s Community Centre, Co. Tipperary
Sunday 11, Limerick, Nancy Blake’s
Monday 12, Kilworth, The Village Arts Centre, Co. Cork
Tuesday 13, Ketton, The Northwick Arms, Rutland nr. Stamford, Lincs.
Wednesday 14, Grimston, Grimston Village Hall, Nr. Melton Mowbray, Leics.
Thursday 15, Caunton, Caunton Dean Hole Community Centre, Nr. Newark-on-Trent, Notts.
Friday 16, Wysall, Wysall & Thorpe Village Hall, Nr. Nottingham
Saturday 17, Swayfield, Swayfield Village Hall, Nr. Bourne, Lincs.
Sunday 18, South Wheatley, Wheatley Village Hall, Nr. Retford, Notts.