Chief amongst the new school of talented musicians calling Athens home is The Whigs.
Comprised of Parker Gispert (vocals/guitar), Julian Dorio (drums), and Hank Sullivant (bass), The Whigs rose up from the depths of the University of Georgia, mixing bits of country, indie rock bravado, and plain old rock 'n roll into their own signature brand of musicality.
We caught up with frontman Parker G. and tossed a few questions his way. He graciously agreed to answer them.
IGN Music: Who is your favorite superhero or super villain and why?
Parker Gispert: Jaws. I don't know if he is technically a super villain, but he effectively scared me out the deep end of the swimming pool when I was a kid.
IGN Music: What is your favorite late night snack when you're in the studio or out on tour and why?
Parker Gispert: Amish Trail Mix. You can only find it above Virginia, but it is somewhat healthy and delicious.
IGN Music: Who or what are your non-musical influences?
Parker Gispert: I have loads of these. Professional athletes, late night talk show hosts. You have to bring the pain every night, though. If you don't, there are plenty of people who would love to have your job and are waiting to take it. It's a privilege to be able to do something fun for your "job," so you best bring it.
IGN Music: What is the motto you live by?
Parker Gispert: Karma Marga
IGN Music: Which do you prefer, performing music live or creating it in the studio and why?
Parker Gispert: Live. I like the finality of it. It only happens once. You can't duplicate it or go to the same show over and over. There is 45 minutes of your life where you are playing a certain show to a certain group of people in a particular club on a random night. It is fun to make an experience only those people have to talk about.
IGN Music: Do you remember the first concert you ever went to?
Parker Gispert: Pearl Jam at Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta.
IGN Music: Do you remember the first album you ever bought? Was it on CD, vinyl, cassette or 8-track? Why did you buy it?
Parker Gispert: It was on CD. I thought about lying about this answer, but it was Hootie and the Blowfish Cracked Rear View. It's a pure hit fest. I loved it. I didn't get my own CD player till I was 12 or so. Until then, I just taped things off the radio. Right now I buy primarily cassette tapes.
IGN Music: What is your favorite album and why?
Parker Gispert: This is obviously a pretty unanswerable question. I would give you a different answer every night of the week if I kept being asked this. But today, off the top of my head, The Who Who's Next. A friend of mine's father gave me the vinyl when I was in high school and told me that it was "the best album I own." I haven't found anything that kicks as much as this record. The songwriting is a step above.
IGN Music: Can you name a musician that you've always wanted to work with but haven't yet and why?
Parker Gispert: Frank Sinatra. I believe we have a bit of an age gap keeping us separated. But he was the king of delivery.
IGN Music: If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
Parker Gispert: I would wipe it off the map completely. I'd also take the word industry out. Then it would just be "music."
IGN Music: What has been your most important professional accomplishment to date?
Parker Gispert: Keeping a band together from start till now. That has always been the goal.
IGN Music: What has been your most memorable or most f@#ked-up gig to date and why?
Parker Gispert: We opened for Jessica Simpson. They wanted a local opener, so they asked us. Needless to say, I was pumped.
IGN Music: Would you say that either your dreams or nightmares ever influence your music?
Parker Gispert: Sure. Both.
IGN Music: What do you like to do on your days off?
Parker Gispert: Write songs. I scream five nights a week pretty consistently, so even though I need the time off to rest, I can't help wanting to take the time to make new things. The day I work a job I want "days off" from, the day I quit that job.
IGN Music: What do you do on the tour bus between shows to while away the time?
Parker Gispert: Well there are only three of us and we drive a van to all the shows. So I drive to the next town and listen to music.
IGN Music: What do you miss most about home when you're on the road?
Parker Gispert: My lady and local food. Athens has ridiculous food.
IGN Music: What do you like most about visiting other countries when on tour?
Parker Gispert: We have yet to visit another country.
IGN Music: What is your kindred spirit animal?
Parker Gispert: I am a fan of cats.
IGN Music: What is your favorite book?
Parker Gispert: Science of Logic.
IGN Music: What is your favorite cocktail?
Parker Gispert: Gin and tonic. I hate vodka. Rum is boring. And I don't really like mixing tequila. I will kill some bourbon, scotch, whiskey, but gin is where it is at, always.
IGN Music: Can you name the last thing that moved you?
Parker Gispert: Seeing Dr. Dog. Every time I see them, actually moves me. They are the world's best living live band and remind me why I started playing music to begin with.
IGN Music: Now can you name the last thing that pissed you off?
Parker Gispert: Trying to park a 15-passenger van in NYC.
IGN Music: What about Pet Peeves, do you have any?
Parker Gispert: Insincerity.
IGN Music: What about superstitions?
Parker Gispert: None.
IGN Music: Finally, who would you say is the coolest person you have ever met?
Parker Gispert: It is a tie at the top between--We joke that these three fellows are going to start a band and dominate the universe--John Baldwin, who mastered our record; A guy named Vic, who books the Hummingbird in Macon, Ga; and Michael McDonald from ATO. That guy accomplishes more in a day than I do in a month.
