EPK | Water Tower: California Punk Rock Bluegrass Band

BAND BIO:

Water Tower is a Los Angeles-based bluegrass, old-time, and punk rock band that was founded in 2005 by multi-instrumentalist & vocalist Kenny Feinstein. Formerly known as The Water Tower Bucket Boys, the name was changed to Water Tower in 2012.

While their lineup has evolved over time, Water Tower has maintained an ongoing reputation as a force to be reckoned with, with a viral social media presence & a growing horde of loyal fans known as "The Owls." Water Tower is fueled by their masterful song-crafting, a fiercely DIY approach, and a genre-bending sonic identity that fuses bluegrass/old-time revivalism with a distinctly punk rock edge. Their influences range from Bill Monroe & Foghorn Stringband to bands like Rancid & Black Flag.

The band's current lineup consists of Kenny Feinstein (lead vocals, guitar, fiddle), Tommy Drinkard (vocals, banjo, guitar), Jesse Blue Eads (vocals, banjo), Taylor Estes (vocals, bass), and John Seltzer (backing vocals, mandolin). The group divides their time between working on new material, playing shows & festivals, and busking at local freeway off-ramps.

Their debut album as Water Tower, 'Fly Around' was released in 2020. It was co-produced by Don Bolles (The Germs, 45 Grave) & Ariel Pink and features guests including Willie Watson (Old Crow Medicine Show) & Ron Reyes (Black Flag). The band has released several singles ("Take Me Back", "Lose Everything") & bootleg albums ('For the Owls,' 'Live From Los Angeles') since then, with a second studio album due to come out next year.

In 2025 Water Tower performed at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Vans Warped Tour (DC & Long Beach). Most recently they finished a tour supporting & backing up Nick Hexum (311).

PRESS PHOTO (FOUR PIECE):

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PRESS:

“'This ain’t your Grandpa’s Bluegrass,' said Don Bolles, who also referred to Kenny Feinstein as an 'amazing musical prodigy.'" – Brooklyn Vegan (2020)

https://www.brooklynvegan.com/watch-ex-black-flag-singer-ron-reyes-psychedelic-bluegrass-trio-water-towers-new-video/

“These guys aren’t your average string-pluckin’ banjo nerds—they’re like the bastard love child of Bill Monroe and a crust punk squat" -- Bangerville (2025)

https://bangerville.com/bangerville-reviews/f/water-tower

"If Earl Scruggs was a skater from Portland who had a passion for the free-spirited thrash of NOFX and fell in love with the community and earnest nature of bluegrass, you would have Water Tower." -- Bluegrass Unlimited (2024)

"This Los Angeles-based band is not just a musical act; they are a movement, a collison of genres that promises to shake the very foundations of bluegrass and punk rock." -- Tribune Papers (2025)

Water Tower: The Punk Bluegrass Revolution Takes Flight - TribPapers

"With a career defined by passion, integrity, and a refusal to conform, Kenny Feinstein remains a vital and inspiring figure in the underground music world." -- Bluegrass Today (2025)

https://bluegrasstoday.com/california-report-sierra-ferrell-steppin-out-after-winning-four-grammies/

“...The band has endless energy emitng old-time sounds in a modern musical world.” – Bluegrass Today (2022)

https://bluegrasstoday.com/california-report-kenny-feinstein-of-water-tower-band/

“An Instagram carousel of photos and videos shows not just Perry's western wear-inspired look but also the museum's entertainment offerings during the American Idol judge's stay. Festivities included a throwback jam by punky bluegrass band Water Tower that was enjoyed by a patron donning an "I [Love] Jesus" hat...” – Wide Open Country (2023)

https://www.wideopencountry.com/katy-perry-western-art-museum-outfit/

QUOTES:

“...the worlds greatest bluegrass band...Water Tower is one of those rare bands that does something original with talented musicians and wonderful songwriting,” - Mark McGrath (Sugar Ray)

“...hot licks and amazing pickin' from those guys,” - Nick Hexum (311)

“...Water Tower is back and they are better than ever,” - Andy Frasco

“...that punk rock bluegrass, let's jingle baby,” - Bootsy Collins

“...a must hear for the modern day folk revivalist,”- Willie Watson

“...You are my favorite banjo player,” - Bill Burr to Tommy Drinkard

NOTABLE FESTIVALS:

Telluride Bluegrass Festival in Telluride, CO (2025)

Vans Warped Tour in Washington D.C.; Long Beach, CA (2025)

Strawberry Music Festival in Grass Valley, CA (2025)

Parkfield Bluegrass Festival in Parkfield, CA (2025)

Long Beach Bluegrass Festival CA (Headliners 2025; Kenny MC 2024, 2025)

Garden City BrewGrass Festival in Boise, ID (Headliners 2025)

Cline Country Bluegrass Festival in Sonoma, CA (Headliners 2025)

Redding Roots Revival in Redding, CA (2025)

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival in Los Angeles, CA (2020, 2022, 2023, 2024; Kenny MC 2021, 2025)

Huck Finn Jubilee in Los Angeles, CA (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024; Kenny MC 2019, 2025)

CBA Father’s Day Festival in Grass Valley, CA (2023)

Sawtooth Family Gathering in Sawtooth, Idaho (2023, 2024)

Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings in Anaheim, CA (2023)

The Brewgrass Festival in Felton, CA (2023, 2024)

BANDS OPENED FOR/WORKED WITH:

Nick Hexum (311), Sierra Ferrell, Steve Poltz, Yonder Mountain Stringband, Hillary Klug, Tim Armstrong (Rancid), Katy Perry, Andy Frasco, Molly Tuttle, Jack Tuttle, John Craigie, Steve n’ Seagulls, The Brothers Comatose, The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Steep Canyon Rangers, Dustbowl Revival, Jesse Daniel, Rob Leines, Wayne Henderson, Doc Watson, Acacia Forgot, Duane Betts, Jake Eddy