Flashback to 1980:

Earth Shoes, velour shirts, and Jordache Jeans are all en vogue, as are the sounds of AC/DC, Kiss, Cheap Trick, and other purveyors of that genre now known as  classic rock and roll.

At the same time, fledgling guitarists Tom Innis and Brian Witt form the band Whiplash, with modest goals of meeting some girls and playing some gigs.

The bands first iteration enjoys some modest success and earns a reputation in Madison LaFollette High Schools party scene, playing some passable covers and a few original tunes. Whiplash also competes successfully in the inaugural Battle of the Bands, but soon thereafter, dreams of rock and roll stardom are thrown off-course by careers, college and other responsibility-addled distractions…Flashback to 2003 Witt and Innis have been honing their skills during the 15-year band hiatus, albeit from thousands of miles apart, while bassist and vocalist Brian Mangan, of the 80’s band Hardline, simultaneously feels the urge to polish his Fender Precision bass and start working his fingers back into playing shape.

The urge pays off, as Witt announces he’s scheduled a one-and-done gig at Nelson’s Crossing in Marshall to celebrate a milestone birthday, and for one last shot at realizing the rock and roll dream. As Mangan joins forces, his crisp lead vocals and thumping bass provide the X-Factor necessary to propel the band to gig-worthiness. Whiplash is back with retro-resurgence!

Flash-forward to 2009: The Nelson’s Crossing gig turns out to be more than one-and-done, and Whiplash is entering its sixth year as a staple on the Madison rock and roll gig circuit.

Whiplash has enjoyed a regular rotation of local establishments and high-profile outings, culminating most recently in appearances at the Dane County Fair, Taste of Madison, Brat Fest and Cottage Grove music festivals.

Covering classic tunes from AC/DC to ZZ-Top, from Elvis to the Eagles and Tom Petty to Poison, Whiplash defines party rock with an attitude in the Madison music scene.