Weekend music preview: HardProof | | Adi Fest 3 | Indofin | Sounds Under Radio | The Soldier Thread

This weekend, Austin has so much good music on tap, Examiner decided we had to preview it. It's like a mini-local music festival was inadvertently planned with the highlight acts saved for Saturday. We're overly excited about it, but in a good way.

Tonight, Hard Proof Afrobeat featuring the horn section from Black Joe Louis plays at Lambert's. The rest of the band are seasoned professionals as well. Friday you'll have to decide between at Adi Fest 3 with a host of local cover bands and reggae jams from Sub Rosa Union and Indofin at Flamingo Cantina. We may stop by both shows time permitting. Saturday is a special treat. Sounds Under Radio and The Soldier Thread are performing together at Stubb's BBQ. After all that, Sunday you may just want to take a breather

Thursday, September 9th

Hard Proof Afrobeat - Lambert's - 10pm

Hard Proof Afrobeat takes the stage at Lambert's around 10pm tonight. Austinites may be surprised to learn it only costs $5 to see world-class musicians play Afrobeat that will make ANYONE want to dance. Past shows at Victory Grill in the new bohemian Eastside involved conga beats, frenzied dancing and lots of sweat. The band ends up look about the same as the audience. If you don't dance, sax player Jason Frey may good-naturedly urge you shake your butt.

Friday, September 10th

Sub Rosa Union and Indofin - Flamingo Cantina - 9pm

We've never seen Indofin before so we're excited about seeing a new band. Since we're already big Sublime and Long Beach Dub All-Star fans, we figure their punk/reggae/rock vibe will rub us the right way. Here's what Sean Claes of Insight Austin had to say in his blog about the recording:

The 12 tracks that make up this record combined come in at just over 30 minutes of what I would term as throwback reggae-punk music. Leading off with the distortion-driven “Honey,” the album’s sound is established early. The crawling reggae sound continues on such tracks as “Whatever,” “Nonprofit,” and “Riverside.” And songs like “Blue Light,” “Princess,” and “Missing Me” operate at a nice reggae-jam speed.

The vocals of T.J. Huerta are decidedly imperfect, but it’s very fitting for the tracks that comprise the album. The songs are full of regret and heartbreak. Apparently someone broke his heart good. But, the album is also a celebration of coming out the other side, in personal relationships and as a band. I think “Sunshine” is the key track to prove this point.

My favorite track on 2x Broken is a track called “Fingerfight.” The two minute jam is led by the crisp guitar work of Huerta. The bass-line of Albert Huang keeps the song flowing while the percussion of Donny Mann brings it all together.

Adi Fest 3: The Clone Wars - Beauty Bar - 9pm $5 with RSVP/$7 without

Here are the details as posted on do512.com DJ Prince Klassen will be manning the decks:

As such Adi and KR present to you ADI FEST 3 !!! Featuring some of the most amazing cover bands this side of Pluto. Second Hand News are sure to fulfill all your Fleetwood Mac needs, including a costume contest with real (not cloned) prizes!

SWISS the premier 90s cover band who will take you along a ride with Weezer, Oasis, Pavement, Nirvana, Superdrag, The Verve, Wilco, Smashing Pumpkins, Blur and more.

Turning the night out is BANG the MONSTER of Hair Metal bands that will melt faces with Guns 'N Roses, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, RATT, Scorpions, AC/DC, and Mötley Crüe. Someone may lose an arm or a drummer.

For those who have never experienced an Adi Fest you are in for a treat. There is never a dull moment from partying likes its 1999 or 89 or 79 it’s a true journey through rock.

Saturday, September 11th

Sounds Under Radio and The Soldier Thread - Stubb's BBQ - 9pm - $8

Examiner is thrilled we'll get to see Sounds Under Radio after miserably failing to make most of their set at Antone's a while back. SUR is a local indie rock band that appears to be a good fit to gig with The Soldier Thread. Both describe themselves similarly. They are from Austin, have had songs on television shows and profess to be on the cusp of something great. Examiner feels this is true from TST. We have a feeling SUR will give us the same sensation.

Here's what Sounds Under Radio's Facebook page says:

In rock music, great power can be found in contrast---in opposites. It's a musical truth that the members of Sounds Under Radio know well. That contrast—between light and dark, guarded and vulnerable, specific and vague—this is what the songs on the band's debut album, Cinematica, are built upon.

Against a tidal wave of drums, bass and shag rug thick guitars, lyricist and front man Lang Freeman laments a self-destructiveness threatening to unravel his life and the lives of those around him, and when he does, he rides that sonic wave to great effect as the band blisters through the various genres dotting today's mainstream rock landscape. On their first full length release Sounds Under Radio is stepping out of the shadows, and bringing their knack for dynamics and a penchant for building stadium sized rock landscapes to an even bigger stage... this is Austin TX style Brit rock.

Sunday we're going to relax and recharge for the week ahead. Be sure to check the Sounds Under Radio video below and the slide show photos. See y'all at the show(s).

Connect with Greg Ackerman here.