September 16, 2012 | 2:00 PM | By

Six essential covers from The Afghan Whigs (playing The Electric Factory on Sept. 27)

FILED UNDER: Artists, Concert Previews, Events, Recordings, Barry White, Curtis Mayfield, Percy Sledge, The Afghan Whigs, The Clash, The Electric Factory, TLC

Photo by Sam Holden | samholdenphotography.com

This summer, Greg Dulli and his reunited bandmates in The Afghan Whigs turned heads with their cover of Frank Ocean’s “Lovecrimes.” It was a great rendition, but as fans know well, the Whigs are masters of interpretation. A 90s alt-rock group with soul leanings, their catalogue is peppered with fantastic R&B and Motown re-versions, and some stuff from the rock pantheon too. These guys have a broad and deep appreciation of music, and here are six essential covers for you to dig into as we collectively get psyched for The Afghan Whigs’ appearance at The Electric Factory on Thursday, September 27. Tickets and information on the show are available here.

“(Don’t Worry) If There’s Hell Below, We’re All Going to Go” by Curtis Mayfield – covered on the Live at the Howlin’ Wolf EP (1999)

“Creep” by TLC – covered on the Honky’s Ladder EP, 1996

“Dark End of the Street” by James Carr – covered on the What Jail is Like EP, 1994

“True Love Travels on a Gravel Road” by Percy Sledge – covered on the Uptown Avondale EP, 1992

“Lost in the Supermarket” by The Clash – covered on Burning London: The Clash Tribute, 1999

“Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” by Barry White – covered on the Beautiful Girls soundtrack, 1996

  • http://www.facebook.com/garymphoto Gary Mitchell

    Their version of “If I only had a heart” from The Wizard of Oz (also on the Honky’s Ladder EP) turns this old happy-go-lucky chestnut into the haunting croon of a sociopath. Epic interpretation with marvelous piano (Happy Chichester?) and production.

    Saw them live back in the day where they opened with a massive version of “The Cross” by Prince, and brought the house down by closing with “I Could Never Take the Place of your Man” that would make Prince tip his hat. I do still hold out hope that show will be released somewhere somehow.

    The Whigs should issue a collection of their covers… It would be awesome and would probably sell like mad.

    • John Vettese

      Oh man, good call, Gary! I *almost* included that one in putting this post together, but didn’t want to include two from the Honky’s Ladder EP – and “Creep” won out. Here’s a link for those who have never heard it – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ph_yW2OHKFE

  • http://www.facebook.com/andre.cassavetes Andrè Cassavetes

    No, the best one is Prince’s “When Doves Cry” as played by Twilight Singers

    • John Vettese

      That one’s great too. The whole She Loves You LP is like woah. “Hyperballad”?! The Twilights OWN that.

  • http://www.facebook.com/mark.bowen.522 Mark Bowen

    The Whigs’ cover of The Stones’ “Cocksucker Blues” is insanely great. The Temple from JC Superstar is another stand-out.

    • John Vettese

      Man, I forgot about their JC Superstar covers! Think I may have seen Greg do a full Gethsemane with Twilight.