I am a firm believer in the idea that a city, place, or town can bare the strongest influence on a piece of music. The relationship between the artist and that place — as well as the memories that place represents — can be shown through lyrics, melody, or even a sentiment the music evokes. In the case of Parker Gispert, Julian Dorio, and Timothy Deaux, the talented gentlemen who make up The Whigs, that special place is the great American state of Georgia, their home. The relationship is not necessarily an explicit one (perhaps it is because I am both aware of their Georgian roots and spent time in Georgia that I recognized this influence), but the heartfelt quality of their music no doubt stems from Athens’ southern hospitality. That essence alone makes it surprising that the band formed not too long ago, in 2002, since their passion, especially for rock and roll, resonates more so with that of a decade like the ’70s or ’80s.
The song, “Staying Alive,” from 2012’s Enjoy the Company, is a classic for the band but “Hit Me,” the first track released from their upcoming album, Modern Creation, might top it. It plays true to their “Whigsian” form — quintessential garage rock, consisting of a heavy percussion tempo thanks to Julian Dorio and memorable scratchy guitar riffs — but the lyrics are what hits home, literally. Parker Gispert croons, “I’ve been playing games, the disguise fits me. I’ll take the dream so real, that I can walk through it.” That opening lyric is what will reel you in and hold you over until April 22 when the rest of Modern Creation is released.