Afghan Whigs

Afghan Whigs are an alternative rock band from Cincinnati, active from 1986 to the present. Their sound is described as soul-influenced alternative rock, and they are also classed as indie rock. The group is centred on Greg Dulli, John Curley, Rick McCollum and a rotating rhythm section across different periods, with Steve Earle, Paul Buchignani, Michael Horrigan, David Rosser and Patrick Keeler among the members listed in their history. Big Deal Music is one of the labels associated with the band.

Early years and first albums

The band forms in Cincinnati in 1986. Its original line-up includes Greg Dulli on vocals and rhythm guitar, Rick McCollum on lead guitar, John Curley on bass, and Steve Earle on drums. In 1988, they release their debut album, Big Top Halloween, on their own Ultrasuede label. The record attracts attention within independent music circles, and the band signs to Sub Pop in 1989, becoming the first non-Northwestern American band to record for the label.

Their first Sub Pop release, Up in It, follows in 1990. Around this period they also issue a limited edition single, The Ornament, on No.6 Records. Their early material is marked by aggressive guitars and a harsher style before the band moves towards a more distinctive soul-influenced approach.

Breakthrough period

The 1992 album Congregation and the limited covers EP Uptown Avondale establish the sound for which the band becomes known. They then sign to Elektra Records and release Gentlemen in 1993. Although singles such as “Debonair” and “Gentlemen” gain some popularity, the album does not push them into the mainstream. The song “Fountain and Fairfax” also appears on the television series My So-Called Life in 1994, and the band remains visible through MTV playlists.

Personnel changes affect later recordings, but the group continues with Black Love in 1996, which features Paul Buchignani on drums instead of Steve Earle. The album is described as more noir-like and as extending the darker side of Greg Dulli’s writing and persona. In the same year, Dulli serves as executive producer of the soundtrack for Ted Demme’s film Beautiful Girls; the band appears in the film as a bar band and contributes versions of Frederick Knight’s “Be For Real” and Barry White’s “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe”.

Later records, split and reunion

In 1998, Afghan Whigs release their sixth album, 1965, on Columbia Records, with Michael Horrigan replacing Buchignani on drums. The album is presented as a strong late-period release and becomes their last full-length album of original material before the band splits in 2001, citing the strain of living in different places.

The group reunites temporarily in 2006. The 1965 line-up of Dulli, McCollum, Curley and Horrigan records two new songs, “I’m a Soldier” and “Magazine”, which appear on the retrospective Unbreakable (A Retrospective) in 2007.

Later activity

The band later returns to live activity with festival appearances and expanded touring, including performances in London, Asbury Park and Spain. In 2014, Afghan Whigs release Do to the Beast and perform in Ireland, Israel and the United States.