The Virgins

The Virgins took to the stage with a charismatic swagger that would have all roadies fearing for their jobs. This skinny New York four-piece seem like they are gagging at the bit to get going.

Once they had set up the amps and guitars lead singer, Erik Ratensperger, (who looks like a tall version of Phil Daniels in Quadrophenia) grabs the mike and starts talking shop.

A few dated lines later and the music starts, lets face it, we’re all alright and yup we all want to have a good time.

Now in full swing The Virgins paint a pretty musical picture. Phil Daniels (Erik Ratensperger) is immediately taken to heart, his undeniable energetic presence endearing him to the crowd as he bounds across the small but perfectly formed stage.

To say it was packed would be rude to sardines, and the smell of stale beer hangs in the musty air, a bit of cigarette smoke would not have gone amiss.

Ok, musically we are taken through a journey of Weezer, Stones and Strokes but it’s the cover of the majestic Squeeze’s ' Up the Junction ' that sealed the night for me.

I feel the need to introduce myself to their myspace page (http://www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc) - 1.8 million hits – to condition myself to their track names before they are on everybody’s lips. A band well worthy of the hype they are currently creating.