THE BAND CHILLS SHED-SIDE. Downer’s Grove has been on the scene for eight years, but the summer of 2009 brought a new musical direction, and this year brings a new album.

A grove is a natural grouping of same-species plants. The area these plants occupy expands over time as seeds mature and fall, so a grove could be a forest in the making.

Eau Claire’s Downers Grove is a four-piece band that sometimes sounds like five or six pieces. The core group – Matt Seymour, Mark Kronberger, and John Nietz – have been reviving jam rock in the vein of Umphry’s McGee for some time, but they say their sound was transformed last summer. Tony Haneman, keyboardist and latest addition, has added a new element, making Downers Grove what it is today: a technical “progfrock” (progressive funk rock) band – danceable and upbeat, contrary to their name.

Ambiguous Amphibians soars à la Phish, while newer track Someday features that familiar reggae skank and a buoyant chorus. Slipstream does get down and funky, though, sneaking around while Kronberger sings, “Which way is the door, honey? Which way is the door? ... I’m in the slipstream of the moment.”

No matter what Downers Grove is playing, an extended, proficient jam is certain. And the band sounds highly trained; natural together. During live performances, these guys prove how elastic their songs are. When they announce “this will be the last one,” you can count on 10 to 15 minutes more of high-powered fretwork, ba-da-boom tish, and river-like key-runs.

The new lineup has been a success. Now, eight years after its inception, Downers Grove has unleashed its first EP recording. The track list is five parts classic jammables and five parts original tunes.

    Downers Grove CD Release Show + Dead Dogs • May 14 • House of Rock, 422 Water St., Eau Claire • 10pm • FREE • ages 21+ • www.myspace.com/downersgroveec