Part III: Information Superflyway: The Whigs in Cyberspace

Mailing Lists

• CONGREGATION, the listserv
  • This mailing list began in early 1995, and is currently maintained by Meredith Borakove. Subscription information can be found at http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~borakove/whigs/misc.html. Both regular and digest versions are available.
  • What's with all this non-Afghan Whigs discussion on an Afghan Whigs mailing list?
    • Dennis "in the Delphi" maintains a mini CONGREGATION FAQ at [need address].
    • Another perspective comes from Rich Locke:
      "This list, by accident or design, largely operates as an open-forum for free and frank expression, with the overall theme being a collective love/worship/stalkerish-obsession (delete as appropriate) for respected beat-combo, The Afghan Whigs. That is to say, although it strives to maintain a regular focus on said rock group, its members have historically felt the need to find voice and expression for thoughts on varying topics, which, although they may not be of particular interest to all, are nontheless respected and accepted in a tolerating, adult manner. Except for those times when pissing matches start. Anyhow, unsurprisingly, some of these topics (impending armageddon, for instance) are quite difficult to adroitly link back to, say, the b-sides of "Turn On The Water," but in a place of relatively free-thinking individuals, that isn't always the most important issue. Put basically, the list has a tendency to stray off-topic, and complaining only makes the situation worse, so if you don't like it you're probably best to leave. Everyone on the list likes the band, the frighteningly simple logic being "that is why they joined in the first place" - so remember: you have a choice, and you have been warned. Enjoy."
    • Please remember that four years is an eternity in both Internet and popular culture, so the tendency to mention topics not immediately relevant to the Afghan Whigs counts as a long-standing tradition. Tradition for its own sake is not necessarily a good thing, but newcomers need to be aware of this long-standing habit.
  • Does anyone from the band read the list?
    • John Curley lurks on the list and relays particularly interesting posts to other band members.
    • The Whigs' new keyboardist Joshua Paxton subscribes and has relayed some information to the list.
    • Greg Dulli (a computer illiterate, according to friends) does not read the list but towards the end of the Black Love tour was calling out to the "computer people".
  • Does anyone from the record industry read the list? Kerri Harrop, formerly of Sub Pop Records, used to post, and was very helpful with information about Whigs back catalog and other Seattle news; if any other record industry professionals subscribe they're lurking.
  • Does anyone else famous belong? Rumors that J Mascis (Dinosaur Jr.) and Janeane Garofalo lurk are unsubstantiated.

USENET

• There is no USENET group dedicated to the Whigs. Relevant posts occasionally appear on alt.music.alternative, but CONGREGATION and the America Online forum appear to have siphoned off most of the people interested in talking about the Whigs.

Discographies

• John Dunlevy maintains a master discography at http://homepage.interaccess.com/~dunl/AW.discog.c

Lyrics

• Meredith Borakove maintain a lyrics page at http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~borakove/whigs/lyrics.html

Tabs

• Meredith Borakove maintains some guitar tabs at http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~borakove/whigs/tab/
• Mark Hamlett is working on a collection of Afghan Whigs tabs.

Labels' online info

• Columbia has established an excellent page at www.afghanwhigs.com.
• Elektra still has some material at http://www.elektra.com/alternative_club/afghanwhigs/afghan.html.
• Mute (their former UK label) has a Whigs page at http://www.mutelibtech.com/mute/awhigs/awhigs.htm
• Sub Pop (http://www.subpop.com/) will be happy to sell you all the back catalog your credit card will bear.
• Ultrasuede, John Curley's record label, has a highly informative page at http://www.ultrastudio.com/Default.htm

Fan/Unofficial Home Pages

• Meredith Borakove: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~borakove/whigs/
• Jacki Vaughn: http://www.geocities.com/~afghantasia/
• Others to be posted shortly.

Other discussion venues

• The Columbia site includes a bulletin board at http://www.theafghanwhigs.com/bbs.html
• AOL chat room. Laura Weinstein (WhiggedOut@aol.com) periodically organizes Sunday evening chat sessions; these are announced on CONGREGATION several days before.

Other Media

• From the Whigs With Love. The first issue of was issued by the band (under the editorship of "Peasoup Percy") during the summer of 1994. The first issue promised more to follow and solicited reader contributions. In May 1996, John Curley was not very optimistic about another issue appearing any time soon; yet a few months later someone on CONGREGATION reported that the band intended to put out some sort of mailing in the near future.
• Fat Greg Dulli. Appears to have ceased publication.
• Greg Dulli's Upper Lip. Snailmail address:
  6626 W. 41st Street
  Stickney, IL 60402 USA
  or
  703 Barnsdale
  Lagrange Park, IL 60526 USA

Copyright 1998, Julia Lutz (whiggrrl@erols.com)

"In time I'll find I'm stuck/Fugazi rules, but Hootie, you still suck." The Afghan Whigs, "Be Sweet" (as revised June 1995).