The Voice

Issue date: 9/15/08 Section: Entertainment

What is cool? It could easily be defined as the way you feel standing in the fabulous 40 Watt in downtown Athens the second Julian Dorio starts pounding away on the drums as The Whigs take stage.

All the kids have come out for this show. It is packed to the door, the room is sold out. Upon reaching the microphone, Parker Gispert is suddenly in control of every individual in the room. The band has not one weak link (though it consists of only three people) and it is certain that these guys will make us salute rock 'n' roll until 2 a.m. That is cool.

On the exterior or on a record, The Whigs appear to be a simple three-piece rock band from Athens. To understand it, one must attend a show. The power behind the melodic bottom end of the band keeps kids moving as Gispert's thick, chunky power chords act as a springboard for the Southern drawl in his voice, placing them firmly in the garage rock genre.

The tour had started the day before, but for all intents and purposes, this night launched the fall leg of the relentless touring The Whigs have done throughout the year. Every show these guys do seems to captivate the entire audience.

This night was no exception. The amount of energy being emitted from the stage would be enough to keep this crowd awake for days if it wasn't being counter balanced by a healthy dose of PBR.

The first song on the night was "Mission Control," the title track of their latest record and a slow-moving song that crawls along until the horn section revamps it and it turns into a jam before kicking into their fast, hard hitting under ground hit "Like a Vibration." These guys have gone to school here, lived here and know exactly how to get these kids off, and that is precisely what they intend to do.

In a phone call interview with drummer Julian Dorio, I got a chance to ask seven questions. This is how that went:

Me: You've been drumming since you were a little kid. What was the first show you ever played?

JD: It would have to be with my dad and my brother Mike at a restaurant Christmas party. I must have been 9 years old.

Me: What is your favorite show you've ever played as a member of The Whigs?

JD: In Belgium, this summer, at Rock Werchter. Probably one of the coolest music festivals in the world.

Me: What have you been listening to in the van?

JD: We just listened to Guided By Voices' "Alien Lanes."

Me: You've toured with a bunch of bands. Can you pick a favorite?

JD: Wax Fang from Louisville, Kentucky.

Me: Beatles or Stones?

JD: It changes everyday. Today is a Stones day.

Me: Last question. When you are in Athens, do you prefer Transmet or Little Italy?

JD: I'll catch hell for either answer, but I'm going to have to say Little Italy.

It must be noted that on the night of the show, Dorio thanked me for not calling him to conduct a 45-minute interview that would have ultimately gotten the same answers. For now The Whigs, though humble, are the shining star of the Athens and indie rock scene.

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