The Whigs

Infobox musical artist |
Name = The Whigs


Img_capt = left to right: Julian, Parker, and Hank
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = flagicon|USA Athens, Georgia, U.S.
Genre = Garage rock
Years_active = 2002–present
Label = ATO Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.thewhigs.com TheWhigs.com]
Current_members = Parker Gispert
Julian Dorio
Tim Deaux
Past_members = Hank Sullivant
Notable_instruments =

The Whigs are a garage rock band from Athens, Georgia.

Career

The band was formed in 2002 by Parker Gispert, Julian Dorio, and Hank Sullivant. Early in their careers, they shared the stage with bands such as the Drive By Truckers, Jason Lowenstein, Elf Power and Franz Ferdinand, but had difficulty recording their first album. [http://www.spin.com/features/band_of_the_day/2006/09/060920_thewhigs/ "Artist of the Day: The Whigs"] from Spin.com, 20 September 2006.] In the summer of 2005 the band recorded their first album, "Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip", in an empty fraternity house. [Yarm, Mark. "The Guide." Spin Mar. 2008: 103. ] They used equipment purchased on eBay and resold after recording was finished to help offset the cost of production. "Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip" was released independently in 2005. In July 2006, The Whigs signed with Dave Matthews' record label ATO Records, and "Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip" was rereleased on September 19 2006. Before signing with Matthew's label, "Rolling Stone" called the band "perhaps the best unsigned band in America." [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/9524571/the_whigs "The Whigs: The next great band from R.E.M.'s hometown?"] article from "Rolling Stone", 2005.]

The Whigs toured the United States with Wax Fang and the Broken West and appeared at Milwaukee's Summerfest and the New Orleans Voodoo Fest following the rerelease of Fat Lip. The band also performed at the 2007 Bonaroo Festival.

The band's second album, "Mission Control", was recorded in Los Angeles during the summer of 2007 by producer Rob Schnapf and engineer Doug Boehm at Hollywood's Sunset Sound and Sound Factory. The album was released by ATO on January 22 2008. Since its release, the band has been touring the United States with the Drive By Truckers, Wax Fang, Tulsa, Dead Confederate, Jason Isbell, and the Dead Trees. The Whigs performed at both the 2008 Sasquatch! and Bumbershoot festivals.

The summer of 2008 marked the first European tour for the Whigs who performed at Belgium's Rock Werchter Festival, London's 02 Wireless Festival, Scotland's T in the Park Festival, and Ireland's Oxygen Festival. The tour also included a performance with Kings of Leon and MGMT @ Le Zenith in Paris, France along with stops in Germany and Milan, Italy.

In the fall of 2008, the Whigs toured with Kings of Leon (November), The Kooks (October), and Tokyo Police Club (September).

Awards and accomplishments

In March of 2006 Rolling Stone Magazine named the Whigs one of their 10 Artists to Watch. In September 2006, The Whigs were named "Artist of the Day" by Spin.com. Dorio was awarded an Esky award in March 2007 as "Best Drummer" by Esquire magazine. [http://www.esquire.com/features/eskyawards0407-7 "The 2007 Esky Music Awards: Best Drummer"] , from Esquire Magazine, 26 June 2007.]

It was announced in October 2007, that the band had finished their second album, entitled "Mission Control," which was released on January 22 2008. The band appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman on January 28, in support of the album. [http://www.antimusic.com/news/08/jan/11Late_Night_Whigs.shtml "Late Night Whigs"] from AntiMusic.com, 11 January 2008.] They also appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on February 20 2008 to promote the album. The Whigs will go on tour with the Kooks in the fall of 2008.

The song "Need You Need You", from Mission Control is featured in the video game Pure.

Lineup

The Whigs lineup is as follows:
*Parker Gispert — guitar, lead vocals, keyboard
*Julian Dorio — drums
*Tim Deaux — bass

The Whigs' original bassist, Hank Sullivant, departed the Whigs in late 2006 to record an album as Kuroma and to tour extensively with MGMT.Fact|date=January 2008

The Whigs have also toured with Iron Hero frontman Sam Gunn playing bass during their 2007 spring and summer touring.

Discography

tudio albums

*"Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip" (2005)
*"Mission Control" (2008)

ingles

*"Like a Vibration" (7", 2008)
*"Right Hand on My Heart" (7", 2008)

External links

* [http://www.thewhigs.com The Whigs' official website]
*MySpace|thewhigs|The Whigs
* [http://creepysleepy.com/2007/03/29/creepy-sleepy-show-103-the-whigs/ Podcast Interview] on the Creepy Sleepy Show with Dan Patterson on the state of rock music, politics, and technology.
* [http://www.fan2band.com/home.php?artist=574 Whigs official Street Team] Fan2band/ATO Records

References