The Whigs

by MacKenzie Wilson
Parker Gispert (vocals/guitar), Julian Dorio (drums), and Hank Sullivant (bass) create the rollicking indie rock sounds of the Whigs. With a jaunty mix of Westerberg-like style and a heartfelt country disposition, the Whigs played their first shows while attending the University of Georgia. Additional opening slots for the likes of the Killers, Franz Ferdinand, and the Futureheads quickly followed for the young trio, thus leaving their 2005 debut album, Give 'Em All a Big Fat Lip, to be picked up by ATO Records. Word quickly spread about the Athens-based group, with Rolling Stone hailing them as one of the "10 Artists to Watch" in 2006. That same year, Sullivant exited the band to pursue a solo career as Kuroma; he was eventually replaced by Tim Deaux. With a new lineup in place, the Whigs traveled to Los Angeles in 2007 to begin work on their sophomore album, eventually announcing its completion that October. Mission Control was released in CD and vinyl formats in January 2008, and the band supported its release with a series of late-night TV performances and tour dates alongside the Drive-By Truckers.