Editing The Afghan Whigs (section)

==Band history==

===Early years and ''Big Top Halloween'' (1986-1988)===
[[Greg Dulli]] (vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick McCollum (lead guitar), [[John Curley (musician)|John Curley]] (bass), and Steve Earle (drums) formed the band in Cincinnati late in 1986.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book |first=Martin C. |last=Strong |year=2000 |title=The Great Rock Discography |edition=5th |publisher=Mojo Books |location=Edinburgh |pages=10–11 |isbn=1-84195-017-3}}</ref> The Afghan Whigs had evolved out of Dulli's previous band, The Black Republicans, a band that Curley later joined. Curley attended a number of Black Republicans shows and approached Dulli and "made it a point to tell the vocalist he was a better bassist than the one in the Black Republicans."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gendron |first=Bob |title=Gentlemen |date=2008 |publisher=Continuum |isbn=978-0-8264-2910-0 |series=33 1/3 |location=New York}}</ref> Curley would introduce Dulli to McCollum, a frequent jam partner who was famed on the local Cincinnati scene for his innovative use of effects pedals. McCollum and Dulli would bond over their shared love of R&B, in fact the first song The Afghan Whigs ever rehearsed was a cover of [[The Temptations]]' "[[Psychedelic Shack]]."<ref name="autogenerated5"/> Dulli later described the intent behind The Afghan Whigs was to exist as "a cross between [[the Band]], the [[Temptations]], and [[Neil Young]] playing with [[Crazy Horse (band)|Crazy Horse]]."<ref name="The Bob">{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/67/the-bob/|title=The Bob|website=Summer's Kiss|date=December 1991|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217022108/http://www.summerskiss.com/67/the-bob/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The name The Afghan Whigs was coined by Curley "as a play on the Black Republicans."<ref>Gendron, p. 16</ref>

In the wake of The Black Republicans' breakup Dulli had decamped to Arizona, where he composed half the material for what would become The Afghan Whigs' debut album ''[[Big Top Halloween]]'' (1988), self-released on the band's own Ultrasuede label.<ref name="Gentlemen">{{cite book |first=Bob |last=Grendon |year=2004 |title=Gentlemen |publisher=Continuum |pages=11–15 |isbn=978-0-8264-2910-0}}</ref> "We were running through what were the first songs I'd ever written to do some demos, so we were playing really loose," Dulli recalls. "And then all of a sudden, I found out John was having covers made." While only a thousand copies of ''Big Top Halloween'' would be pressed initially,<ref name="Going to Town">{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/214/going-to-town/|title=Going to Town|website=Summer's Kiss|date=April 1996|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101201743/http://www.summerskiss.com/214/going-to-town/|url-status=dead}}</ref> one of them managed to capture the attention of [[Jonathan Poneman]],<ref name="autogenerated13"/> the co-founder of influential Seattle-based indie label [[Sub Pop]], which signed The Afghan Whigs in 1989.<ref name="Going to Town"/> Initially Sub Pop planned for the Whigs to release only a one-off single, but that soon led to a full-blown record contract with the label.<ref name="Stephen Thomas Erlewine"/>

===Signing to Sub Pop and ''Up in It'' (1989–1990)===
Upon signing to [[Sub Pop]], The Afghan Whigs became the second non-Pacific-Northwestern United States band to record for the Sub Pop label.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.subpop.com/artists/afghan_whigs|title=The Afghan Whigs|website=Sub Pop Records|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19981126/2785594/afghan-whigs-waiting-in-wings-for-stardom|title=Entertainment & the Arts – Afghan Whigs Waiting in Wings For Stardom – Seattle Times Newspaper|publisher=Community.seattletimes.nwsource.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> In 1990, Sub Pop put out The Afghan Whigs' second album ''[[Up in It]].'' Largely recorded by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] producer [[Jack Endino]] and featuring the college-radio hit "Retarded," ''Up in It'' received a favorable reception with music critics upon release.<ref name=autogenerated13>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/221/black-white-and-gray/|title=Black, White, and Gray|website=Summer's Kiss|date=2 May 1996|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101203346/http://www.summerskiss.com/221/black-white-and-gray/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

To support the album's release, The Afghan Whigs went on a package tour with grunge originators [[Mudhoney]] and Boston underground band [[Bullet LaVolta]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://adeepershadeofsoul.blogspot.com/2007/06/terry-tolkin-on-afghan-whigs.html|title=A Deeper Shade of Soul|date=7 June 2007|publisher=Adeepershadeofsoul.blogspot.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.adioslounge.com/2009/02/13-songs-1989-reconsidered.html]  {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915020816/http://www.adioslounge.com/2009/02/13-songs-1989-reconsidered.html|date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> ''Up in It'' was followed by a limited edition single released by [[No.6 Records]] under the name "Ornament," which included vocals by [[Scrawl]] singer Marcy Mays (who would later contribute lead vocals to the band's song "My Curse" off the album ''Gentlemen'').

===''Congregation'' and ''Uptown Avondale'' (1992)===
With the 1992 album ''[[Congregation (The Afghan Whigs album)|Congregation]]'' and covers [[Extended play|EP]], ''[[Uptown Avondale]]'', the band developed what would become their signature sound, blending soul with psychedelic sprawl and punk abandon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/56/spex/|title=SPEX|website=Summer's Kiss|date=January 1991|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101203410/http://www.summerskiss.com/56/spex/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Critics noted the combination of [[Stax Records|Stax]] and [[Motown]] influences with indie-rock sonics on the band's material.<ref name="autogenerated12"/> ''Uptown Avondale'' featured covers of hits by soul acts such as [[The Supremes]].

Videos for notable ''Congregation'' songs like "Conjure Me" and "Turn on the Water" would receive airplay on MTV, which began to regularly cover The Afghan Whigs as a new band to watch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/blog-1815-flashback_mtv_whigs_.html|title=Flashback: MTV, Whigs, and the Next Seattle|publisher=Citybeat.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> The Afghan Whigs would also tour extensively during this period, including a U.S. jaunt with Scottish indie rockers [[Teenage Fanclub]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/collectposters/42492_teenage_fanclub.php|title=4.24.92 // Teenage Fanclub at Summer's Kiss – Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers|publisher=Summerskiss.com|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112256/http://www.summerskiss.com/collectposters/42492_teenage_fanclub.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Listen
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|title="When We Two Parted"
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|format=[[Ogg]]}}

===Signing to Elektra and ''Gentlemen'' (1993)===
Building on the buzz that welcomed ''Congregation'', The Afghan Whigs soon signed to a major label, [[Elektra Records]], following a bidding war that resulted in a contract so lucrative, it featured a clause that allowed for the funding of a Dulli-scripted feature film that ultimately was never made.<ref name=autogenerated10>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/154/whigging-out/|title=Whigging Out|website=Summer's Kiss|date=May 1994|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217003516/http://www.summerskiss.com/154/whigging-out/|url-status=dead}}</ref> For their major label debut, The Afghan Whigs ensconced themselves in [[Ardent Studios]] in Memphis, where [[Big Star]], [[Bob Dylan]], [[Led Zeppelin]], and [[ZZ Top]] had recorded.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/150/ladies-andgentlemen/|title=Ladies and...Gentlemen|website=Summer's Kiss|date=April 1994|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101201103/http://www.summerskiss.com/150/ladies-andgentlemen/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The result of those sessions was the 1993 album ''[[Gentlemen (album)|Gentlemen]]''.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/>

''Gentlemen'' received a positive review from ''Rolling Stone''. Critics would go on to praise it for its unflinching, self-flagellating lyrics, and a decisive stylistic break with the grunge-style epitomized by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and [[Mudhoney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsgentlemen/gentlemen_entertainment_weekly.php|title=Gentlemen Entertainment Weekly at Summer's Kiss – Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers|publisher=Summerskiss.com|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112348/http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsgentlemen/gentlemen_entertainment_weekly.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/cg/cgv294-94.php|title=Robert Christgau: Consumer Guide Mar. 1, 1994|publisher=Robertchristgau.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> ''Gentlemen'' would place at No.&nbsp;17 on The ''[[Village Voice]]'''s "Pazz & Jop" critic's poll for 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/02/25/phair-is-a-big-hit-in-critics-poll/|title=Phair Is A Big Hit in Critics Poll|website=Chicago Tribune|date=25 February 1994 |access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

''Gentlemen'' proved to be The Afghan Whigs' most commercially successful release, and by 1996 it had sold 130,000 copies in the United States.<ref name="Bambarger">{{cite magazine |last1=Bambarger |first1=Bradley |title=Afghan Whigs Get Passionate |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_w4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=soundscan+afghan+whigs&pg=PA18|access-date=May 12, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |date=February 3, 1996 |page=18|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.}}</ref> The singles "Debonair" (a Modern Rock Top 20 hit) and "Gentlemen" received regular airplay on [[MTV]] and [[College Radio|college radio]]. Another album track, "Fountain and Fairfax" appeared on the television series ''[[My So-Called Life]]'' in 1994.<ref name="Stephen Thomas Erlewine"/> The lead vocals on "My Curse" were sung not by Dulli, but by singer Marcy Mays of [[Scrawl]] – allegedly because the lyrics documenting the violent dissolution of a relationship were so personal, Dulli couldn't sing it.<ref name="autogenerated12"/><ref name="autogenerated10"/>

===''Black Love'' era (1996)===
Following the promotion of ''Gentlemen'', The Afghan Whigs further expanded into the public eye. In 1996, Dulli served as executive producer for the soundtrack for the [[Ted Demme]] film ''[[Beautiful Girls (film)|Beautiful Girls]]''. The Afghan Whigs appeared in the film as a bar band and contributed two songs to the soundtrack: [[Frederick Knight (singer)|Frederick Knight]]'s "Be For Real" and [[Barry White]]'s "[[Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe]]."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/230/greg-dulli-vs-ted-demme/|title=Greg Dulli Vs Ted Demme|website=Summer's Kiss|date=4 June 1996|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101200028/http://www.summerskiss.com/230/greg-dulli-vs-ted-demme/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dulli also was the only musician other than [[Dave Grohl]] to appear on the debut album from [[Foo Fighters]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/foo-fighters-19950810|title=Foo Fighters|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

Eventually, work began on The Afghan Whigs' fifth full-length album, which would be called ''Black Love'' upon its release in 1996. The band started writing demos in March 1995; the recording took place in both Seattle and Memphis-based studios featuring new drummer [[Paul Buchignani]], who had replaced Steve Earle.

Although previous releases explored liquor-drenched obsession, secrets and misery, ''Black Love'' stepped into a darker, seedier and complex side of Dulli's persona, passionately taking his obsession with murder and paranoia to their logical ends.<ref name="ROCK REVIEW;A Show and CD at Odds">{{cite news|last=Strauss|first=Neil|author-link=Neil Strauss|date=1 June 1996|title=ROCK REVIEW;A Show and CD at Odds|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/01/arts/rock-review-a-show-and-cd-at-odds.html|access-date=1 January 2015|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kot |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Kot |date=4 April 1996 |title=Afghan Whigs : Black Love (Elektra) (star) |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/04/04/afghan-whigsblack-love-elektra-star-star-starthe/ |access-date=1 January 2015 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> Dulli himself noted that the songs had a conceptual framework that reflected the structure of a film, influenced by noir-influenced writer [[James Ellroy]] and violent neo-noir films like ''[[Blood Simple]].''<ref name="Put That Love Thing On Ya">{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/213/put-that-love-thing-on-ya/|title=Put That Love Thing on Ya|website=Summer's Kiss|date=April 1996|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101201051/http://www.summerskiss.com/213/put-that-love-thing-on-ya/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Other influences included pulp fiction novels, Kenneth Anger's ''[[Hollywood Babylon]]'' and the crime photographs of [[Weegee]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Powers|first=Ann|date=7 December 2011|title=Afghan Whigs Reunite: Read SPIN's 1996 Feature|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/12/afghan-whigs-reunite-read-spins-1996-feature/|access-date=1 January 2015|website=[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated13" /> Other lyrical inspirations included the troubled life of Temptations singer [[David Ruffin]] for the song "Blame, Etc."<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/183/london-bar-fight/|title=London Bar Fight|website=Summer's Kiss|date=17 February 1996|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101204934/http://www.summerskiss.com/183/london-bar-fight/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The album opener, "Crime Scene Part One", was allegedly influenced by the story of then-unproduced screenplay for the film ''[[The Million Dollar Hotel]]''.<ref name=autogenerated2 />

Commercially, ''Black Love'' peaked at No.&nbsp;79 on the [[Billboard top 200|''Billboard'' Top 200 chart]]. The album also received critical praise for capturing the power of the Whigs' live show in a studio recording;<ref name=autogenerated9>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_details.php|title=Black Love – Details at Summer's Kiss – Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers|publisher=Summerskiss.com|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112317/http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_details.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> its lush yet funky musicality garnered comparisons to the [[Rolling Stones]] in their 1970s-era prime and standing out once again from the day's more conventional alternative rock in its distinctive embrace of black-music idioms.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_spin.php|title=Black Love – Spin at Summer's Kiss – Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers|publisher=Summerskiss.com|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112328/http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_spin.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Black Love – Billboard at Summer's Kiss – Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers |url=http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_billboard.php |access-date=1 January 2015 |publisher=Summerskiss.com |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112307/http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_billboard.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=n |title=Black Love – USA Today at Summer's Kiss – Afghan Whigs, Twilight Singers |url=http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_usa_today.php |access-date=1 January 2015 |publisher=Summerskiss.com |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112338/http://www.summerskiss.com/pressreviewsblacklove/black_love_usa_today.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Whigs promoted ''Black Love'' with extensive touring, including a jaunt of large venues opening for a [[Neil Young]] tour that also featured [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]].<ref name=autogenerated7>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/273/greg-dulli-sells-his-soul/|title=Greg Dulli Sells His Soul|website=Summer's Kiss|date=9 October 1998|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101213732/http://www.summerskiss.com/273/greg-dulli-sells-his-soul/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated11>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/370/rick-talks/|title=Rick Talks|website=Summer's Kiss|date=30 April 1999|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101203231/http://www.summerskiss.com/370/rick-talks/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Legal dispute with Elektra and signing to Sony/Columbia for ''1965'' (1998)===
In the wake of ''Black Love'''s commercial disappointment, The Afghan Whigs said they suffered neglect and dishonest business dealings with their label, Elektra.<ref name="autogenerated8">{{cite web |date=2 November 1998 |title=The Rocket |url=http://www.summerskiss.com/294/the-rocket/ |access-date=1 January 2015 |website=Summer's Kiss |archive-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810105355/http://www.summerskiss.com/294/the-rocket/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated7" /> Eventually, the two parted ways and the Whigs signed to Columbia Records for their next album, ''[[1965 (The Afghan Whigs album)|1965]]''. The unamicable parting resulted in Dulli being treated for depression, providing subject matter for songs like "Neglekted" which was featured on the band's next full-length effort.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 December 1988 |title=Chemical Brother |url=http://www.summerskiss.com/18/chemical-brother/ |access-date=1 January 2015 |website=Summer's Kiss |archive-date=1 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101204956/http://www.summerskiss.com/18/chemical-brother/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated7" /> The song had originally been named "Sylvia" as a swipe against then-Elektra head, [[Sylvia Rhone]].<ref name=autogenerated7 />

After a year's hiatus during which Dulli began another project known as [[The Twilight Singers]], The Afghan Whig's went to [[Daniel Lanois]]' famed studio in New Orleans to record ''1965,'' named after the year both Dulli and Curley were born.<ref name="autogenerated8" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/300/afghan-whigs-discover-their-soul-in-nawlins/|title=Afghan Whigs discover their soul in N'Awlins|website=Summer's Kiss|date=6 November 1998|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101203014/http://www.summerskiss.com/300/afghan-whigs-discover-their-soul-in-nawlins/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated6">{{cite web |last=Ankeny |first=Jason |title=1965 – The Afghan Whigs – Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/1965-mw0000031543 |access-date=1 January 2015 |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated7 /> Influenced again by film noir, as well as the urban wordplay of rappers like [[Nas]], ''1965'' received positive reviews in the press, praising, in particular, the band's continued flair for blending soul styles with rock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/253/1965-newsweek/|title=1965 – Newsweek|website=Summer's Kiss|date=October 1998|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101195753/http://www.summerskiss.com/253/1965-newsweek/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Diehl |first=Matt |date=6 November 1998 |title=1965 |url=https://ew.com/article/1998/11/06/1965/ |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> In addition to their headlining dates, The Afghan Whigs went on tour with [[Aerosmith]] as the classic-rock group's opening act.<ref name=autogenerated11 /> During the live dates for ''1965,'' Dulli got in an altercation with a stagehand following an [[Austin, Texas]] concert date and suffered a head injury that left him in a coma.<ref name=":0" /> Two months after Dulli's recovery, however, the group returned to the road.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/440/gunned-down-steve-myers/|title=Gunned Down – Steve Myers|website=Summer's Kiss|date=November 2002|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=19 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519012817/http://www.summerskiss.com/440/gunned-down-steve-myers/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Break up (2001)===
In 2001, The Afghan Whigs broke up by circulating a press release announcement which was picked up by the major music press.<ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/431/afghan-whigs-say-goodnight/|title=Afghan Whigs Say Goodnight|website=Summer's Kiss|date=9 February 2001|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=1 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101203359/http://www.summerskiss.com/431/afghan-whigs-say-goodnight/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=5 February 2001 |title=Break Up Press Release |url=http://www.summerskiss.com/428/break-up-press-release/ |access-date=1 January 2015 |website=Summer's Kiss |archive-date=1 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101203048/http://www.summerskiss.com/428/break-up-press-release/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In it, the band claimed their geographic disparity and family obligations of its core members made it impossible for them to create new material together. In further interviews, Dulli clarified that theirs was an amicable split, and did not necessarily represent an "official breakup."<ref name=autogenerated8 />

===Reunion (2006, 2011–present)===
[[File:The Afghan Whigs.jpg|thumb|[[Greg Dulli]] (left) and bassist John Curley (right), 2012]]
In 2006, The Afghan Whigs temporarily reunited.<ref>{{cite web|last=Phillips|first=Amy|date=8 September 2006|title=Afghan Whigs Reunite|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38442|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210174529/https://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/38442|archive-date=10 February 2009|access-date=12 February 2022|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref> The lineup recorded two new tracks ("I'm A Soldier" and "Magazine") featured on their retrospective titled ''[[Unbreakable: A Retrospective 1990–2006]]'', released on June 5, 2007, through [[Rhino Records]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summerskiss.com/1805/new-whigs-photos-press-release-track-reviews/|title=New Whigs Photos, Press Release, Track Reviews|website=Summer's Kiss|date=5 March 2007|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> which critics noted rated on a par with the band's material released during its prime.<ref name=autogenerated12 />

The band would not perform again until a December 7, 2011, press release from the promoters of All Tomorrow's Parties announced that The Afghan Whigs would reunite and play at their I'll Be Your Mirror events on May 27, 2012, in London, followed by an appearance at Pier 36 in New York City on September 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/12/guided-by-voices-break-up-the-afghan-whigs-get-bac.html |title=The Afghan Whigs Reunite, Replace Guided By Voices at ATP :: Music :: News :: Paste |publisher=Pastemagazine.com |access-date=2012-04-01 |archive-date=2012-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614084748/http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2011/12/guided-by-voices-break-up-the-afghan-whigs-get-bac.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> A week later it was announced that the band would also be performing at both [[Primavera Sound]] festivals in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://optimusprimaverasound.com|title=Optimus Primavera Sound|publisher=Optimusprimeraverasound.com|access-date=2012-04-01|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323194655/http://optimusprimaverasound.com/|archive-date=2012-03-23}}</ref> In April of that year, it was revealed that the revitalized The Afghan Whigs would be playing the 2012 edition of [[Lollapalooza]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Minsker|first=Evan|date=10 April 2012|title=Lollapalooza Lineup Announced|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/46061-lollapalooza-lineup-announced/|access-date=1 January 2015|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|date=10 April 2012|title=Reunited and It Feels So Good: Lollapalooza 2012 Lineup Unveiled|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/10/reunited-and-it-feels-so-good-lollapalooza-2012-lineup-unveiled|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> Dulli clarified in interviews that playing The Afghan Whigs with Curley on a 2010 solo tour and meeting with McCollum anew during that period directly led to plans of reforming for live performance.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

On May 22, 2012, the reunited The Afghan Whigs (minus drummer Steve Earle) made their debut performance on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'', playing one new song, the soul cover "See and Don't See," and old favorite "I'm Her Slave" from ''Congregation''.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=23 May 2012|title=Afghan Whigs Play 'I'm Her Slave' on 'Fallon'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/afghan-whigs-play-im-her-slave-on-fallon-93986/|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> The reunited Whigs played their first full concert the next night at Manhattan venue The [[Bowery Ballroom]], receiving critical accolades from the major media. "Regardless of how the surprising reunion of The Afghan Whigs turns out, their show last night at the Bowery Ballroom will go down as the '90s alt-rock heroes' greatest concert ever," Glenn Gamboa wrote in Newsday;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/backstage-pass-1.811987/afghan-whigs-amazing-reunion-at-bowery-ballroom-1.3738193|title=Music|website=Newsday|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> meanwhile, Steve Kandell noted in a ''[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]'' review that "their first show together since then, at New York's Bowery Ballroom last night, felt less like an easy nostalgia trip than a reminder of problems we, perhaps selectively, forgot we ever had. …Leader Greg Dulli was leaner, meaner, fitter, and in better voice at 47 than even during the band's heyday… From the opening strains of "Crime Scene, Part One," all the old drama and menace and hurt feelings and failings were right there, palpable and visceral, all couched in the equally palpable sense of relief that none of us are that fucked up anymore."<ref>{{cite web|last=Kandell|first=Steve|date=24 May 2012|title=The Afghan Whigs Play First Show in 13 Years: The Full Report|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/05/afghan-whigs-play-first-show-13-years-full-report/|access-date=1 January 2015|website=[[Spin (magazine)|SPIN]]}}</ref> The Afghan Whigs' first new recording released during the 2012 reformation, "See and Don't See," also received considerable airplay on influential stations such as [[Sirius Radio|Sirius]] XMU, KEXP, XPN, and KCRW.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newmedia.kcrw.com/tracklists/search.php?search_type=1&date_from=2%2F2%2F2012&host=&date_to=6%2F5%2F2012&artist=Afghan+whigs&channel=Simulcast&label=|title=KCRW : SEARCH RESULT FOR ALBUM/SONG/ARTIST "Afghan whigs"|publisher=Newmedia.kcrw.com|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> On July 16, the band released their second new recording, a cover of [[Frank Ocean]]'s "Lovecrimes."  Like the previous release, the song was made available as a free download from the band's website.

In 2013 at [[South by Southwest]] (SXSW), The Afghan Whigs headlined The FADER FORT and played a collaborative set with surprise guest Usher. John Curly claims that moment solidified the probability that the band would record together again and that following their SXSW performance they began compiling ideas for new material.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.subpop.com/artists/the_afghan_whigs|title=The Afghan Whigs|website=Sub Pop Records|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

On January 27, 2014, the band's official mailing list announced an April release date for the first album of new The Afghan Whigs material in 16 years, a return to the Sub Pop roster titled ''[[Do to the Beast]]''.

On February 18, 2014, the band announced that Rick McCollum was no longer a member of the group. Guitar parts on ''Do to the Beast'' were performed by numerous musicians including [[Dave Rosser]], Jon Skibic, and Mark McGuire among others.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Diehl |first=Matt |date=2014-02-18 |title=Afghan Whigs Return on 'Do to the Beast' With New Lineup, No Rules |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/afghan-whigs-return-on-do-to-the-beast-with-new-lineup-no-rules-122562/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128193805/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/afghan-whigs-return-on-do-to-the-beast-with-new-lineup-no-rules-122562/ |archive-date=2020-01-28 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]}}</ref> The band added drummer [[Patrick Keeler]] of [[The Raconteurs]] and [[The Greenhornes]] in 2014.

The band released its eighth album, ''[[In Spades]]'' on May 5, 2017.

Guitarist Dave Rosser, a band member since 2014 who played on both of their reunion albums, died on June 28, 2017, following a long battle with colon cancer.<ref>{{cite web|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=28 June 2017|title=The Afghan Whigs' Dave Rosser Dead at 50|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/the-afghan-whigs-dave-rosser-dead-at-50|access-date=28 June 2017|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]}}</ref>

In February 2022, the band released their first single in five years, "'I'll Make You See God," which was featured on the ''[[Gran Turismo 7]]'' soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-22 |title=The Afghan Whigs share its first new song in five years, 'I'll Make You See God' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-afghan-whigs-share-first-new-song-in-five-years-ill-make-you-see-god-3167227 |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-22 |title=The Afghan Whigs Announce Tour, Share First New Song in 5 Years |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/the-afghan-whigs-announce-tour-share-first-new-song-in-5-years-listen/ |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> '''''How Do You Burn?''''' their ninth studio album, was released Sept. 9, 2022, through [[BMG Rights Management]], their first album since 1998's ''[[1965 (The Afghan Whigs album)|1965]]'' to not be released under [[Sub Pop]].