The Hangover

It’s time for another weekend here at Austin After Dark. I hope everyone is finally getting over their SXSW hangovers. It was a fun filled week but I’m quite glad it’s over. This actually marks the first time in about five years I actually did SXSW as a whole. Since my days of working it, SXSW had always left a bitter taste in my mouth. Once you accept what the festival is and how you can have fun and what it can do for bands it makes it much more enjoyable. Even for the most south by hating Austinites you have to admit it is a great week for all the venues we frequent to pay off all those bills so they can keep booking great bands the rest of the year. It was funny to me looking at some band members faces around town this week and seeing how tired and disappointed they we’re following a day of shows that didn’t meet their expectations. It’s the same look I had when I was working but I got a pep talk at the time from my good friend Alex Vallejo and I would pass it on to the new generation playing now. Keep your head up, you play music and people pay you for it. Most people dream about the life you live, so suck it up. Plus if you don’t leave SXSW angry and disappointed you did it wrong. Now onto a shortened hangover filled weekend of picks.

On Friday we start out with the prodigy on violin Ruby Jane at the Cactus Café. This is a perfect setting to see the young Ruby show her expertise and glowing personality in the intimate setting. There’s a rock show at the Dirty Dog with Thunderosa, Adrian and the Sickness and the Shotgun Rebels. All three of these bands have been rocking town for long enough that you don’t want to miss any of the action. And Poodies has the beginning of the 2012 Medical Mystery Tour from Extreme Heat. Extreme Heat gained popularity in the seventies but hasn’t lost a step as they can still bring the funk all these years later.

Saturday has a stellar vocal showcase with Tje Austin and Lex Land at Frank. Both these artists have been showcases on the Voice and put with their own bands will bring joy to your ears. Sounds Under Radio plays a show at Stubb’s. Sounds Under Radio will make you wonder how they haven’t hit it big yet as they rock you all night. And finally if you don’t mind taking a drive in the beautiful Texas weather out to Cindy’s Gone Hog Wild, Robert Johnson’s Soul will keep the party going once you get there. Robert Johnson is one of the best undiscovered guitar slingers in Texas and his solid rhythm section brings it all together.

And that wraps up another weekend in Austin, Texas. Have fun, be safe and Remember, follow our daily picks at atxafterdark.com check out First Spin every Monday, like us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AustinAfterDark , follow us on twitter at @AustinAfterDark and send any e-mails to Patrick@atxafterdark.com. I’ll see you next week.