Tag: Fireside Sound

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: The Afghan Whigs Return with Sultry “Jungle Roux”

JOVM mainstays The Afghan Whigs —  currently Greg Dulli (vocals, guitar), John Curley (bass), multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson and the band’s newest member, Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn (guitar) — will be releasing their 10th album, Soft Control on August 21, 2026 through Royal Cream/BMG.

Soft Control is reportedly a testament to the old David Bowie quote, where he describes aging as “an extraordinary process, where you become the person you always should have been.” By now, the volatile years of frontman Greg Dulli’s youth have been substituted with a wry and self-aware, Zen Buddhist-like satori. The edge and sensitive temperament remain but the unchecked conflagration of ego and rage no longer threaten personal immolation.

“I’ve worked hard on my inner peace,” Dulli explains. ““I was an angry young man, and it fueled my art, ambition and my drive. I wouldn’t change anything because I can’t.  But as I got into photography and other art forms, I realized that I’m not in competition with anyone – including myself. Now, I know what I’m doing and there’s a quiet confidence that comes with being able to back it up.” 

The band recorded 22 songs for the album in session s at Joshua Tree, CA‘s Fireside Sound, New Orleans‘ Marginy Studios, East Hollywood’s Gold Diggers Sound and Cincinnati’s Sycamore Studios. Several favorites were cut because they didn’t seamlessly fit into the album’s taut 37-minute run time. The album features guest spots from former drummer Patrick Keeler, vocalist and violinist Petra Haden, My Morning Jacket‘s Bo Koster and a list of others.

Soft Control reportedly captures the JOVM outfit’s long-held ability to craft material that can effortlessly bounce between and mesh arena rock anthems with brooding, cubist refractions of soul and R&B. The album has its Afghan Whig-style bangers — because Afghan Whigs after all. But there’a reconciliation of ear drum shattering volume and somber reflections, living life with joy and purpose while keeping one eye on the clock, while remaining aware of life’s absurdities.

The album’s latest single “Jungle Roux” is a sultry bit of R&B and soul-tinged rock with phased out guitar twang that sounds a bit like a synthesis of “Gimme Shelter,” Dr. John, and Motown, and evokes a woozy, sweaty and desperate craving. It’s arguably the album’s sexiest, song to date.

Video by William Ruben Helms

New Video: The Afghan Whigs Share Surreal and Cinematic Visual for “House of I”

JOVM mainstays The Afghan Whigs —  currently Greg Dulli (vocals, guitar), John Curley (bass), Patrick Keeler (drums), multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson and the band’s newest member, Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn (guitar) — released their ninth album, 2022’s How Do You Burn? to widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Los Angeles Times, Spin,Stereogum, Billboard and others. 

Late last year, saw the band tackling two songs — — Poliça‘s “Fake Like” and Still Corners “Downtown” — that seemed perfect for the band’s unique take on them. 

The JOVM mainstays will celebrate their 40th anniversary this year with a monthlong tour with Mercury Rev that includes an April 30, 2026 stop at Webster Hall. Tour dates are below. You can visit https://linktr.ee/theafghanwhigs for more information, including tickets. 

“40 years later, I still get to do the thing I love the most. Writing songs and performing them with my friends all over the world,” The Afghan Whigs’ co-founder and frontman Greg Dulli says. “I truly have to pinch myself.”

But in the meantime, the JOVM mainstays just shared “House of I,” the first bit of original material from the band since the release of How Do You Burn?Anchored around propulsive and pounding drums and churning guitar roar, “House of I” is a bit of return to grittier, nastier sound of the band’s early days paired with Greg Dulli’s imitable vocal singing lyrics are simultaneously caustic yet full of aching desire and swaggering ego. 

Produced and mixed by the band’s Greg Dulli and Christopher Thorn, “House of I” was recorded at New Orleans-based Marigny Studios with additional recording and mixing at Joshua Tree, CA-based Fireside Sound. “Laid this one down in New Orleans last summer,” Dulli said. “Was looking for an up tempo banger and feel like we found one here.”

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

New Audio: The Afghan Whigs Share Gritty “House of I”

JOVM mainstays The Afghan Whigs —  currently Greg Dulli (vocals, guitar), John Curley (bass), Patrick Keeler (drums), multi-instrumentalist Rick Nelson and the band’s newest member, Blind Melon’s Christopher Thorn (guitar) — released their ninth album, 2022’s How Do You Burn? to widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, Los Angeles Times, Spin,Stereogum, Billboard and others. 

Late last year, saw the band tackling two songs — — Poliça‘s “Fake Like” and Still Corners “Downtown” — that seemed perfect for the band’s unique take on them.

The JOVM mainstays will celebrate their 40th anniversary this year with a monthlong tour with Mercury Rev that includes an April 30, 2026 stop at Webster Hall. Tour dates are below. You can visit https://linktr.ee/theafghanwhigs for more information, including tickets.

“40 years later, I still get to do the thing I love the most. Writing songs and performing them with my friends all over the world,” The Afghan Whigs’ co-founder and frontman Greg Dulli says. “I truly have to pinch myself.”

But in the meantime, the JOVM mainstays just shared “House of I,” the first bit of original material from the band since the release of How Do You Burn? Anchored around propulsive and pounding drums and churning guitar roar, “House of I” is a bit of return to grittier, nastier sound of the band’s early days paired with Greg Dulli’s imitable vocal singing lyrics are simultaneously caustic yet full of aching desire and swaggering ego.

Produced and mixed by the band’s Greg Dulli and Christopher Thorn, “House of I” was recorded at New Orleans-based Marigny Studios with additional recording and mixing at Joshua Tree, CA-based Fireside Sound. “Laid this one down in New Orleans last summer,” Dulli said. “Was looking for an up tempo banger and feel like we found one here.”