I'm a sucker for tradition. And for the Whiffs. Turns out the Whiffs played their first gig on the Fourth of July in 2016 and have played every Fourth (they think) since. For the tenth anniversary they had nothing special planned. Just an early two-band bill at a neighborhood bar that would end in time for everyone to watch Strawberry Hill blow itself up. I knew it would be a good time – that's how I spent America's birthday last year too.

The night started with a quartet from Memphis called Drip Edges. It was a rock & roll affair seasoned with some sweet power pop and pungent garage rock. Once the solo project of vocalist/guitarist Jeremy Scott, for this gig the band included guitarist Noel Clark, bassist Mike Michaud, and a drummer whose name I didn't catch, and the group never fessed up to knowing. Scott's vocals were hoarse. He's a survivor. The rest of the musicians were too. There's no telling how old Clark's Flamin' Groovies t-shirt was. Scott loved to talk between songs. A broken string was just an invitation for more personality. A cover of The Tokens' "Animal" was full of sneer. Someone in the crowd knew the words to the original "Bullshit Makes the World Go Round." Everyone worth their salt knew the words to closing number, "Sex Drive." What a way to end a set. Let's make it a tradition that all touring acts playing in Kansas are required to end their night covering the Embarrassment.

Hillsiders is home base for The Whiffs. There have been others (RIP Blind Tiger) but now they're practically the house band. And I've become a regular. For the project's anniversary there was no special setlist of crowd pleasers. The quartet's set was all new songs from the forthcoming album. Songs first introduced, later honed, and now perfected under the disco ball on the small Hillsiders stage. Guitarist Rory Cameron and bassist Zach Campbell sang most of them. Lead guitarist Kyle Gowdy took one too. Six months ago it was rough; on this night it was a highlight. All those nights at Hillsiders have paid off. They've also done a number on the players. Midway through the set a hydration break was called. Shots were brought out, but only a few. Ten years ago everyone would have taken three. Now half the guys waved them off. How is the new set? Well, there's more variety in the new songs. They're less textbook power pop. There's more to them. They're more authentic. For the first time ever, Cameron sets down his twelve-string in favor of a traditional six-string electric. He suggested it was a sign of the band growing up. The bouncing audience called for an encore and were quickly rewarded with two classics: "Wanted" and "On the Boulevard." I shouted for "Judy." It's one the group will never play again, but they know it's my favorite. Being snubbed by the Whiffs is almost as much of a Fourth of July tradition as watching illegal munitions launched from the middle of 6th street. It's comforting to know that I've already got plans for next year.