Formed in Cincinnati in 1986, Greg Dulli (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick McCollum (lead guitar), John Curley (bass), and Steve Earle (drums -- not to be confused with country musician Steve Earle) .
In 1988, they released their debut album Big Top Halloween on their own Ultrasuede label. The album caught the attention and imagination of the independent music community and the band soon signed to Sub Pop of Seattle in 1989. Sub Pop's signing of the Afghan Whigs created quite a stir at the time as they were the first non-Northwestern U.S. band to record for the label.
In 1990, their first Sub Pop release Up in It was released; the blistering pace and yowling, effects-heavy guitars on tracks like "White Trash Party" gave no hint of the stylistic about-face to come. It was followed by a limited edition single released by No.6 Records under the name The Ornament.
With the critically acclaimed 1992 album Congregation and a limited covers EP, Uptown Avondale, the band adopted what would become their signature soul-influenced sound.
Soon the Afghan Whigs signed to a major label, Elektra Records, and in 1993 released another critically acclaimed album, Gentlemen. Although the singles “Debonair” and “Gentlemen” were fairly popular, the album failed to launch the band into the mainstream.
Beside regular appearances on MTV's playlists, their track "Fountain and Fairfax" also appeared on the television series My So-Called Life in 1994.
Despite personnel problems interfering with recording and touring, 1996 saw the band release the noir-influenced Black Love (the album featured Paul Buchignani on drums in place of Steve Earle). Although the main subject matter in previous releases were liquor-drenched obsession, secrets and misery, Black Love was a step into a more dark, even seedier and complex side of Dulli’s persona.
In 1996, Greg Dulli served as executive producer for the soundtrack for the Ted Demme film Beautiful Girls. the Afghan Whigs appeared in the film as a bar band and contributed two songs to the soundtrack (Frederick Knight’s "Be For Real" and Barry White's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe").
In 1998, the Afghan Whigs released their 6th album, 1965, on Columbia Records (Michael Horrigan, former Love Cowboys bassist replaced Buchignani). The album saw the band on inspired form. Sadly, it was the band's last full-length album of original material.
Despite reports that the band had started work on their 7th album, the Afghan Whigs announced their split in 2001, citing the strain of geographic distance between members as the reason.
In 2006, the Afghan Whigs temporarily reunited. The ‘1965’ lineup (Dulli, McCollum, Curley, Horrigan) recorded two new tracks ("I’m A Soldier" and "Magazine") which are featured on their retrospective titled Unbreakable (A Retrospective) which was released in June 2007.
In December 2011, the band announced that it would be appearing at All Tomorrow's Parties' renowned I'll Be Your Mirror festival on May 25-27, 2012 in London, England. As well, Dulli will serve as the curator, and the Whigs the headliner, for ATP's stateside edition on September 22nd, 2012 in Asbury Park, New Jersey; further dates continue to be announced, including major summer-festival headlining spots at Spain's Primavera, among others. Drummer Cully Symington (Okkervil River, Gutter Twins) and multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson (Polyphonic Spree, Twilight Singers) will join Curley, Dulli, and McCollum for all shows, which will feature songs from the entire span of the Afghan Whigs repertoire, along with a few new surprises and songs never before played live.
These developments provided both surprise and relief for the group's members. "The pressure is really nonexistent, because we're playing songs that we've already completed - that we already know," Dulli says. "Those songs still resonate with me; in fact, they have always resonated with me. I imagine there will be people who never saw the band before, too, and that's exciting." "It will be nice to experience the Whigs again as a grown-up," jokes Curley. "In my mind, the Whigs were a live band above anything else. Playing shows always was our favorite part about being in the band, and the times when we felt the most freedom and release. I missed playing at that level; I missed playing the songs that we wrote, that meant so much to people - and to us." (from www.theafghanwhigs.com History). In 2014 they released "Do to the Beast" and performed in Ireland, Israel, and the U.S.
Gentlemen
Afghan Whigs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now turn off the light
Your infection, please
I haven't got all night
Understand, do you understand?
Understand, I'm a gentleman
I'm a gentleman
But she was the perfect fit
And we dragged it out so long this time
Started to make each other sick
But now I've got time for you
For you, you, you and me to
Well, come and get it, come and get it
Cause I'm done
Understand, do you understand?
Understand, I'm a gentleman
I waited for the joke, it never did arrive
And words I thought I'd smoke
Let me in I'm cold
All messed up but nowhere to go
You got indecision, and indecision is my enemy
Unlock the cabinet, hey hey hey
I'll take whatever you got, got, got
Now I'm on it, now I'm on it
And you're done
I waited for the joke
It never did arrive
And words I thought I'd choke
I hardly recognize
The song "Gentlemen" by Afghan Whigs is a perplexing journey of self-awareness and reflection as the lead singer explores his emotional baggage and relationships. The song is a passionate plea for attention and connection, but also a warning about the dark consequences of toxic relationships.
The first verse sets the tone for the song with the command "Your attention, please," foreshadowing the intense emotional upheaval to come. The singer then asks his partner to "turn off the light," perhaps to create a more intimate and vulnerable atmosphere. He acknowledges that his partner is infected with the same emotional turmoil as him and that they both need to address it. The repeated refrain of "Understand, do you understand? Understand, I'm a gentleman" is both a statement of respect and a warning that he demands to be treated with respect as well.
The second verse focuses on a previous relationship that the singer stayed in for too long, even though it was slowly killing them both. He now recognizes that he has time for something new and better with the "you, you, you, and me" he refers to. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the importance of understanding that he is a gentleman.
The final verse becomes more desperate, as the singer seeks connection with someone else. He acknowledges that he is "All messed up, but nowhere to go" and needs someone to let him in. He recognizes that indecision can be his enemy and demands action, asking his partner to "unlock the cabinet" and give him whatever they've got, proclaiming "Now I'm on it, now I'm on it, and you're done." The song ends with a sense of frustration and disconnectedness, as the singer says he "waited for the joke" and finds that he doesn't even recognize himself anymore.
Overall, "Gentlemen" is a complex and emotional exploration of toxic relationships, the importance of communication and respect, and the consequences of emotional baggage.
Line by Line Meaning
Your attention, please
I need you to listen to what I have to say
Now turn off the light
Let's create a more intimate setting by turning off the light
Your infection, please
I want you to share with me your negative influences
I haven't got all night
I am running out of time, so let's get to it
Understand, do you understand?
I need to ensure that you are comprehending what I am saying
Understand, I'm a gentleman
I am a polite and respectful individual
I stayed in too long
I was committed to a relationship for too long
But she was the perfect fit
My partner and I were compatible in many ways
And we dragged it out so long this time
We stayed in the relationship despite it being unhealthy for both of us
Started to make each other sick
Our relationship began to cause negative effects on our mental and emotional well-being
But now I've got time for you
Now that I am not in that relationship, I have more time for you
For you, you, you and me to
We can all spend time together
Well, come and get it, come and get it
Feel free to take advantage of the opportunity
Cause I'm done
I am finished with my previous relationship and ready to move on
I waited for the joke, it never did arrive
I hoped for a happy ending, but it did not happen
And words I thought I'd smoke
I expected something to be easy, but it was not
Let me in I'm cold
I want to be close to you for warmth and comfort
All messed up but nowhere to go
I am in a bad place emotionally, but I do not know what to do about it
You got indecision, and indecision is my enemy
I struggle to deal with indecisiveness
Unlock the cabinet, hey hey hey
I want access to something important
I'll take whatever you got, got, got
I am willing to take whatever you are willing to provide
Now I'm on it, now I'm on it
I am fully focused on what I need to do
And you're done
I have gotten what I came for and you have fulfilled your role
I waited for the joke
I had unrealistic expectations
It never did arrive
The situation did not turn out as I hoped
And words I thought I'd choke
I felt overwhelmed and unable to express myself
I hardly recognize
I am not the same person I once was
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: GREG DULLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@j.dovales8713
This song still makes it for me, over 20 years later and it's still as fresh today as when I first heard it. Especially the power in some of the verses that stand out:
"I stayed in too long
But she was the perfect fit
And we dragged it out so long this time
Started to make each other sick" and
"Let me in I'm cold
All messed up but nowhere to go
You got indecision, and indecision is my enemy
Well, unlock the cabinet, hey
I'll take whatever you got, got, got
Now I'm on it, now I'm on it
And you're done"
Wow! Fuckin' brilliant.
@indiemixtape
what does this song make you nostalgic for? subscribe for more: https://uproxx.it/mrln2hd
@ttidforever7416
The Buzz coffee house in Cincinnati. Alas, no longer there, but nostalgic just the same.
@kindkidbk
being little again
@donramonito
Working at the Tower Records store in NY.
@flip65515
Making playlists for my ex girlfriend who was a stripper. And the douchebags in the club looking around as if to say "What the fuck?"
@frankmorton514
White America.
@sweetforthetitties
Afghan Whigs are the true meaning of underrated. Why they were not massive Ill never know. Deep lyrics, killer funk swagger, a frontman that had everything and the drummer is just a powerhouse. All their albums are consistently good. This song is just timeless.
@thehnicee
One of the most underrated alternative bands...this song will never get old
@MixedRogueKhorri
so true
@miguelacosta5446
true