Every now and then I’ll run into a band that seems oddly-familiar. Local legend Wes Johnson tipped me off to this show, and it took me a moment to recognize that Before There Was Rosalyn was one of a handful of bands I was aquainted with over a decade ago. They’re back, baby. And they even have a couple new songs. 

The band’s halcyon days saw them signed to Victory Records where they put out an album based around the biblical apocalypse. They’re returned with two new singles and a handful of shows, one which I was fortunate to attend. Here’s a recap of the lineup.

Saint Social

This Gulf Coast band reminds me of many of the 80s-influenced synth pop bands of our day, albeit peppered with a bit of classic indie sensibility like Two Door Cinema Club or Cave Painting (no one knows this band, but I find it an apt comparison). On first listen to “Swagger”, I admittedly wasn’t all that impressed. The lyrics aren’t the most sophisticated thing in the world. But the live experience definitely redeemed the band – they are a high energy act that features Ben Lowrimore (who plays with Logan Pilcher) and his masterful bass antics. Not to be outdone, the rest of the band bring just as much energy to match. And while the band’s current catalog only consists of two released songs, “Holiday Forever” is captivating, and I’m certain that once the rest of the songs from the set make it into the world, I’ll be a big fan.

Empty Atlas

I’ve been friends with Micah for several years. I caught a solo set last summer, but this was my first time catching the full band. There’s not much to say other than what I’ve already said before – they played most of their staples (except “House Fire”, RIP), and they carry the same sort of energy showcased on the recordings. Their pensive brand of Manchester Orchestra-flavored rock avoids being TOO booky, but there’s plenty of lyrical depth for those who are curious.

Empty Hands

Empty Hands are a Mobile-based riff-heavy pop-punk band that remind me of Tiny Moving Parts if they had opted for clean vocals and a bit more of a radio-friendly approach. They’ve been staples for years and Wes (drums) is a huge part of the local community. It’s clear the band take their music seriously, and they’ve done videos for most of their songs, along with playing with some notable touring acts.

ATragicVictory

This defunct post-hardcore band may have aged a bit since their last time in public (and let me tell you, on Friday, it was clear I have as well), but they still shred as well as ever. The group call to mind all my favorites from roughly 2005-2012 when YouTube and Spotify were still somewhat nascent and good-cop bad-cop vocals paired with powerful guitar lines were THE thing. After seeing this set, I found myself revisiting a lot of my favorite classic records and realizing a lot of them are almost two decades old. There’s something about their arrangements that rekindles what I loved about bands like From Autumn to Ashes and even more technical groups like Protest the Hero. Frankly, their recordings still hold up even years later. Oh, they also wore matching shirts which gives them a style points bonus.

Before There Was Rosalyn

Texas’ finest still bring it, and there was plenty of moshing and crowd-surfing on a Thursday night. Their frenetic set included plenty of classics like “The Prophet” and “The Revealer”, along with one of their new tracks, “My Silence Was a Gift”. They were definitely the heaviest band of the night, and the crowd was definitely invested from start to end. It’s not every day that bands like this come back from the dead, even for just a few shows, and the venue was still bustling with fans even close to midnight.