The Whigs, The Sammies, The Hymns
Visulite Theatre
April 2, 2009
The Deal: Athens, Ga., rockers The Whigs return to the Visulite and bring along Brooklyn’s The Hymns and Charlotte’s The Sammies.
The Good: I heard a lot about The Hymns before the show and they definitely lived up to the hype. Playing a 30-minute set in front of a quasi-hometown crowd (some band members are former Harrisburg, N.C., residents), the quartet rocked the stage with its own Stones/Beatles style. The music held fast to a true lead guitarist format where Jason Roberts rattled off more licks than chords. Roberts also rarely stood still as his sweat-soaked frame continually bounced around the stage.
The Sammies, in my mind, played a split-personality of a set. While a good portion of the band’s 40 minutes were spent on straight-forward rock that was a little bass heavy at times, the quartet’s indie style awash with punk flavor kicked in with songs like “Trainwreck” and “Treat Her Like a Queen.” The band’s guitarist, Bobby Freedom, later came out to play a solo with The Whigs.
Finally, The Whigs simply rocked it out. Performing on a dark, backlit stage, the trio rifled through a number of old and new songs before kicking it into high gear with a crowd favorite, “Like a Vibration,” and closing out the set with the thunderous “Right Hand On My Heart” and “Already Young.” Singer/guitarist Parker Gispert practically swallowed the microphone at times with his barbaric yawps.
The Bad: No real complaints. It was a dimly lit show for The Whigs segment of the night, but you’d probably only notice if you were taking pictures. Note to the person using a flash camera — that’s why bands require approval of photo passes in most cases, so that you won’t use one and distract those trying to enjoy the show.
The Verdict: A fantastic rock show with three acts worthy of plenty of praise.
The Whigs setlist
More Than Before
Hot Bed
Hundred Million
I Don’t Even Care About
Give ‘Em All a Big Fat Lip
Production City
Like a Vibration
Alabama Stars
OK, Alright
Can’t Hear You Coming
I Am For Real
Nothing Is Easy
Half the World Away
Mission Control
Technology
Right Hand on My Heart
Already Young
Encore
Violet Furs
Need You Need You
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2009.
Nice review Jeff. Hymns were an AMAZING start to the show. I’ve really enjoyed them everytime I’ve seen them and last night was no different. Great stage presence, great songs, great musicans.
Looking forward to their next stop in Charlotte.
The Sammies didn’t do it for me.
Most over-rated band in Charlotte?
Perhaps.
The Whigs were insane! Very entertaining. Their musicianship is incredible.
Thursday night = AWESOMEx3!!!
Sorry The Sammies wouldn’t hook up with you Step.
I unfortunately missed the Hymns, but heard great things. The Sammies and The Whigs both ROCKED my world as always. Seems like every show, it only gets better! Plus neither band is hard to look at and that always helps 🙂
Wouldnt hook up with me?
Hmmm…very mature.
Sorry, you’ve got the wrong girl Mike R.
Good, yet lame attempt at being humorous though!
What ever would we do without people like you?!
I went to school in Athens; I remember going to see The Whigs/The Sammies/and MGMT all at house parties! Reliving college hurts.