“Did you see that Swirls is only 20¢ an ounce right now?” asks Bobby Rangel as he settles into his seat at the drums.

Bobby Rangel and Brad Rosenberg cracking each other up.

It’s early on a Sunday morning, and the newly reunited rock band 1888 is preparing to rehearse at frontman Brad Rosenberg’s recording studio, Clay Garden, near Colonial Place. I’m perched on a leather armchair in the corner, watching and taking notes; thrilled at the chance to hear their new material before almost anyone else.

I laugh and take note of the everyday-ness of Bobby’s question. (And actually I did notice that the price of Swirls in Ghent had dropped.) That he asked it is funny to me because, on the one hand, I consider most of the band members personal friends; and on the other hand, I am a serious 1888 fan. They are one of my truly favorite bands. And not just here. Anywhere.

My first encounter with 1888 was three years ago, when I first started working at Port Folio Weekly. I had just moved back to the area, and I was kind of using my job to help me fall back in love with Hampton Roads. One of my first orders of business was to uncover what was happening in the local music scene.

“1888,” said a friend, who is also a known music snob. “That’s what’s happening in the local music scene.”

So I set up an interview. And to prepare, of course, I checked out their music on Myspace.

To say that I loved it is not enough. Let me digress into a fan-girl moment here for a second: The music is not just great–it has a tone and richness to it that just speaks to me. It sounds old and new; and thus, timeless. It’s rocking, but also soft and moody in places. One track will have a slow mellowness to it and the next will have a stompin’ bluegrassy feel and then the one after that will have a classic rock sound and the one after that will have a super-cool, indie vibe. The lyrics are sweet, but not too sentimental. I loved it. [Click here to stream "I Don't Think" from 1888's debut album, Honey, I'd Kill...]

They actually became one of my favorite bands, however, when I met them in person. Finding out that these guys are actually really cool and good people made me love their music even more.

The chance to sit in on this rehearsal is extra-special, though, because between then and now, 1888 has been on a hiatus. It was unclear for some time if they’d ever get back together and start playing again.

“At least three children have been born since then,” Bobby points out.

But then in January, the hibernation broke. It was lead guitarist Daniel Driskell that made the call.

“After about a year and a half, I came to Brad and Bobby and said, ‘Let’s do this. I really want to do this’,” says Daniel.

Brad and Bobby, it turns out, were feeling the same way.

“We realized when we weren’t playing how unhappy we were,” says Bobby.

“Having a break for as long as we did and having ideas that weren’t going anywhere,” adds Brad, “that was frustrating.”

Luke Ponessa, one of the original members of 1888, returns to the band, as well, and plays bass. A new addition to the band is guitarist Gordon Bradley, who many know from another rockin’ local band, Rylo. Bobby had approached Gordon at 1888′s New Year’s 2009 show at the Tap House–their last before the hiatus. For Gordon, particularly with Rylo on a hiatus, as well, it was a no-brainer.

“They were my favorite local band,” says Gordon. “And they’re very different from Rylo.”

So one wintry day earlier this year, the five of them got back in the studio with the instruments that been longingly calling for them. They played a Beatles cover, “Rain Comes,” and it was clear. 1888 was back and better than ever.

New addition: Gordon Bradley, who you may know from another awesome local band, Rylo.

Not that things have been so easy. Trying to manage a rehearsal schedule with lots more children in the picture has proven challenging. Sunday rehearsal has become like church to them.

“It’s just tough. Since December we’ve been doing two rehearsals a week,” says Luke.

“We’re probably the only band in Hampton Roads rehearsing before 9 [am],” adds Gordon.

But it’s paid off. The new music, I find out, capitalizes on the best of what they already had. That is to say, it is more rocking than ever, richer, more layered. The guitar sections are shredders. It all seems more honed, although you wouldn’t necessarily feel it in the live performance, which is loose and fun, even in the studio.

“The new songs represent us as an entire band,” says Luke. “All five of us are really putting into the music.”

“I would say we’re definitely a better live band,” agrees Daniel.

“Pro Tools,” Bobby says, “is less a member of the band.”

Everybody laughs at this, and the conversation turns back to light-hearted banter. Our official interview, I can tell, is pretty much over. I ask if there’s anything else I should include. Someone says something about Gordon’s glowing tan.

“Say we love our wives,” says Bobby.

“Yeah!” agrees Brad. “And say that I said it.”

Click here to check out the Facebook event page for 1888′s return performance at 37th & Zen tomorrow night.