The Whigs have come a long way from their first gig at DT’s Downunder, when lead singer/guitarist Parker Gispert was just a freshman.

“We played there once and then didn’t play again for about six to eight months,” said Gispert, a senior from Roswell.

The band was recently featured in Rolling Stone as one of “The Top 10 Acts to Watch,” and their full-length debut album, “Give ‘Em All a Big Fat Lip,” is now available on major online music stores iTunes and Rhapsody.

The Whigs will be playing at the 40 Watt Club tonight with I Am the World Trade Center and The Noises 10.

The Whigs consist of Gispert (vocals and guitar), Hank Sullivant (bass) and Julian Dorio (drums).

The band gained a large local fan base when it started performing live shows around Athens in 2002.

Gispert said he and Dorio were high school friends, and he met Sullivant at the University. The trio then began practicing in Dorio’s home.

After several years of playing around town, their debut album was finally released.

The album gained critical acclaim from several publications, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Creative Loafing magazine.

The band also employed local artist Chris Bilheimer – who has also done work for R.E.M., Green Day and Neutral Milk Hotel – for the album art work.

Gispert said he is happy about the band’s inclusion in Rolling Stone but isn’t going to let it get to his head.

“I don’t really feel one way or another about it. It’s definitely good for the band,” he said. “I am honored to be selected for it.”

As for the band’s future plans, he said his first priority is graduating.

Despite rumors, Gispert said there were no record deals in the works, but he would not be opposed to signing a deal with a major label in the future.

“I don’t really care if a label is major or minor, as long as it allows us to do things our way,” he said.

Gispert also said the band definitely intends to tour after graduation but does not have any big tour plans The Whigs have opened up for several big name acts, including Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, Maroon 5, Barenaked Ladies and Jessica Simpson.

Gispert said the performance with Simpson was not the band’s favorite.

“It was kind of weird. No one was there to see us,” Gispert said. “Everyone was just finding their seats.”

The band has not started recording again, but it has been working through new songs. Gispert said they hope to have another album out by the end of the year.