Barfield, The Tyrant

Barfield, The Tyrant are back at The Continental Club this Thursday, August 20. It's part of their regular Thursday night slot, and if you've spent any time around the city's live music scene, you've probably run into them before. The band is led by veteran frontman Mike Barfield, and they've become a staple of the Austin circuit over the years.

Their sound is a bit of a kitchen-sink approach to American roots music. They describe it as a funky, garage-soul stew, and the influences they cite give you a good idea of where that comes from: Johnny Cash, The Clash, James Brown, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins all in one set. It's a mix of Texas soul, funk, blues, and garage rock, with a touch of psychedelic swagger thrown in. The result is a high-energy show that doesn't stick to one lane, pulling from country, R&B, and rock'n'roll all at once.

The band is built from Austin regulars. Its members are all mainstays of the city's country, blues, soul, and rock'n'roll scenes, so they're well-acquainted with the local music community. Barfield himself has been a longtime fixture at the Continental Club, and this Thursday is another night in that long run.

It's a late one: the show starts at 10:30 PM, and there's a $10 cover. The night is 21+ only, so bring your ID. If you're looking for a late-night set that pulls from a few different traditions, this is a good place to start your Thursday.