What happened to Afghan Whigs

The Afghan Whigs are one of those bands that were supposed to be big and never got to the top spot. On Alternative Radio, their 1995 album, “Gentleman” was huge with three hit songs.

The Whigs (as known by shortened name) formed in 1986 in Cincinnati Ohio. They played a mix of genres and toured small clubs for years. They would sign a record deal with Subpop Records which was the place for small alternative bands to sign. They put out  an album and some songs that went nowhere. The album “Congregation” with the title track brought attention to the band. There is a track called “Miles Iz Ded” that I really liked. It got radio airplay. They would follow that with an album of cover songs called “Upton Avondale.” That has a really good version of the song “Band of Gold.” This small band of white men do a rocking version of the Supreme’s song “Come See About Me.”

Here is where songs get weird. The final song is called, “Rebirth of the Cool.” It is a remixed version of “Miles Iz Ded.” So if you liked that song, and wanted to look for it, what do you call it? What title do people know this haunting, sweaty, eerie song by? If you know the chorus, you may even call it “Don’t Forget the Alcohol.”

They come back in 1995 with the “Gentleman” album after getting signed to a major record label. It’s straight ahead rock with a beat. The drum start of “Gentleman” should be played loud. “Debonair” starts haunting, but it kicks later. The final single was “What Jail is Really Like.” It’s slower and yet it has all the elements, rock, synth, a beat. I bought this on cassette on a whim  and played it for decades.

The lead singer, Greg Dulli was young and handsome. He had stage presence. The band was tight and solid. They played late night shows, big concerts, and they had radio airplay. There was talk of Greg Dulli being an actor. He was supposed to be in a Ted Demme movie. He has a bit part performing in a bar.

Then people listened to the lyrics of “Gentleman.” The men are mean. The relationships are tragic and doomed. The women are femme fatales. The next album release had a song called “Honkey’s Ladder.” That isn’t a title that would get big radio airplay. However listen to it, you’ll want to play it again.

Then you don’t hear from them. They left Elektra’s record label and went to another label that thought they were just any other band on the label. Dulli gets into fights on the road. He is seen as the mean guy from “Gentleman” and is difficult.

The big breakout didn’t happen. They break up and eventually get back together.

I just found a concert from 2024 on Youtube. It starts a little off. The band is older and the sound from a smaller venue isn’t great. However they do “Gentleman” and it sound like the past. Greg’s voice gets working and he sounds like he did years ago. The drummer has got the band moving. It’s a solid show like they didn’t lose years.

They look like fun. Dulli talks with the audience. He thanks the crowd for being there and asks if they had a good time. He doesn’t seem like the guy that had the bad reputation. The band is in time and in synch. If you remember them at all, check out their recent concerts.

Also you can find “Miles Iz Ded” and “Rebirth of Cool,” are both available on line so no matter what you call that song, you have to find that song.