Some bands’ names are so peculiar that they leave you pondering what genre they could possibly represent. Austin-based Grimy Styles, on the other hand, tells you exactly what they’re all about in two simple words: “grimy” refers to their raw reggae themes, and “styles” refers to their blend of rock, metal, jazz, and roots. The band wasn’t just tight, they made their music feel great. Looking around the modest but engaged crowd in the small room, it was obvious that Grimy Styles knew how to work the “reggae bubble” to their advantage. Heads began bobbing with the first syncopated keyboard chords of every song,  and they were one of the few bands at South by Southwest that maintained an equal balance between style and substance with ease. And they did it all without vocals in the unlikely venue of St. David’s Bethell Hall, which didn’t stop the crowd from spontaneously dancing and hooting in the atypically festive church.

If you missed Grimy Styles in Austin last week, don’t fret: they play in and around the city often. If you can’t wait that long, check out their albums Rewind and Restoration of the Bath House are now available on iTunes. For more information on their upcoming tour dates, please visit their Twitter or Facebook pages.