The Afghan Whigs
The Afghan Whigs were an American
soul-influenced
hard rock band of the
1990s. Greg Dulli (vocals, rhythm guitar), John Curley (bass), Rick McCollum (lead guitar) and
Steve Earle (drums) formed the band in
Cincinnati in
1986. Their debut album,
Big Top Halloween (Ultrasuede,
1988) created a buzz in the independent music community, and the band soon signed to
Sub Pop of
Seattle in
1989. Then in
1990,
Up in It was released; this was followed by the critically acclaimed
1992 album
Congregation and a
covers album,
Uptown Avondale.
The Afghan Whigs then signed to a major label, Elektra Records, and released another critically acclaimed album, Gentlemen that failed to break the band into the mainstream. For the next few years, personnel problems interfered with recording and touring, and the band released two albums by the time they broke up in 2001, Black Love, 1965.