An avid reader, who sent me an email regarding the David Lindwall tee contest, asked if I needed any music. I replied with a request for the new Cold War Kids Loyalty To Loyalty and the eponymous LP by The Virgins to which he kindly obliged.

You know how I won't listen to certain bands if I don't like their name?? Dumb, I know, but what can I say? Such was the case with The Virgins. Not to mention I officially banned listening to any band with a two word name, the first being "The" a few years back. Recently, though, I listened to an interview and live set by the band on KCRW's Morning Eclectic and decided it was time for me to throw my silly rules out the window and give them a real listen.

If Jonathan Richman of Modern Lovers and (early) Elvis Costello had a baby -- four babies actually -- it'd be The Virgins. The New York band was formed in 2005 and has toured with Jet and has opened for Patti Smith and Sonic Youth.

Looking through pics, I knew I'd seen the lead singer before: I was certain it was that guy Donald who's been photographed many times by Ryan McGinley, which was confirmed in their Wikipedia entry. I can't, though, seem to find the pic of him jerking off and cumming that is burned into my brain.

The music's pretty hot, I must admit, and way to go for a downtown scenester pulling off a killer band. Their hit Hey Hey Girl is really addictive. I've already listened to it 23 times. Other songs of note: She's Expensive, Fernando Pando, Radio Christiane, and Love Is Colder Than Death, but I'll let you decide for yourself. Let me know what you think.

Don't forget to checkout The Virgin's official site and their MySpace, where you'll find tour dates, songs, and much more. If you're in New York, they're playing with The Black Kids at Webster Hall on 10.01.08. Get tickets now.