Sean Wheeler & The Reluctant Messengers, Barfield, The Tyrant

Sean Wheeler & The Reluctant Messengers take the stage at The Continental Club on Thursday, September 24, with Barfield, The Tyrant of Texas Funk following them. Wheeler is a desert legend and a veteran of Throw Rag, a storyteller who believes nothing separates classic American musical forms. His band for the night includes Billy Pitman on guitar, Emily Gimble on keys, Michael Archer on bass, and Hunt Sales on drums.

Barfield, The Tyrant of Texas Funk, takes over after, fusing Johnny Cash, The Clash, James Brown, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. The members are all mainstays of Austin's country, blues, soul, and rock'n'roll scenes, so the sound is built from the city's own musical ground. Between the two, you get a full night of Americana, rockabilly, and funk under one roof.

It's a good fit for the venue. The Continental Club opened in 1957, and thirty years later Steve Wertheimer took it over as an anchor for touring and local Americana, rockabilly, and swing. The week is built around regulars: Monday belongs to homegrown honky tonk with Dale Watson, Tuesday happy hours mix sultry jazz, country, and blues, and Earl Poole Ball and Heybale! hold down Saturdays and Sundays. This Thursday night slots right into that tradition.

Sean Wheeler starts at 10 PM, and Barfield follows at 11:45 PM. The night is 21+ only, and no advance tickets are sold—you just pay a $15 cover at the door. The club is at 1315 S. Congress Ave.