1994 was a big year for me, musically. It was the year I began my radio career in the Cincinnati, Ohio area and the year that my favorite styles of music shifted from “big hair” to “alternative.” It was the year my best friend introduced me to the Afghan Whigs, a band that got their start in Cincinnati but have gone on to achieve cult-like status among their fans. Perhaps they are the best Sub Pop, or soul, act you never heard of?

Any statement that features the words “new” and “Afghan Whigs,” demands my attention. First, there was the all-too-brief but well-received 2012 tour. Then came the swirl of rumors amongst friends and die-hard fans that the band were recording together again. Next was the Coachella line-up announcement, which features the Afghan Whigs performing on both Friday nights. This was followed quickly by the announcement that after a 16-year wait, the band will be releasing Do To The Beast on April 15th on Sup Pop records.

On a sad note, particularly for Minnesota fans, this will be the first Afghan Whigs album not to feature guitarist Rick McCollum, who's parted ways with the band due to what frontman Greg Dulli described to Rolling Stone as "personal issues." McCollum, who's been living in Minnesota for several years, says he's planning a new album with his band Moon Maan.

This morning the band released a new video for the tune “Algiers” from the forthcoming release. I’m already loving the lines “Dream your sins away. Sin your dreams away.”

Read Barb Abney's tribute to the Afghan Whigs' Gentlemen (1993).